Cleanse first the inside of the cup

When we look at the way the WB&TS has gone to all lengths to keep their image clean, to boast of their faithfulness and righteousness before God and men, despite all the evidence that proves their great sinfulness and in some cases wickedness, we see that Jesus words to the Pharisees are timely. Matt 23:25 "Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of plunder and immoderateness. 26 Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the dish, that the outside of it also may become clean. Luke 11:39 But the Lord said to him: "Now YOU Pharisees, YOU cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but the inside of YOU is full of plunder and wickedness. 40 Unreasonable persons! He that made the outside made also the inside, did he not? 41 Nevertheless, give as gifts of mercy the things that are inside, and, look! all [other] things are clean about YOU. The Pharisees were so concerned with mundane, ceremonial and traditional practices that they showed little or no concern for God’s true commands of love, justice and mercy. The same mistake is being repeated by the WB&TS. They cleanse the outside of the dish by doing all they can to keep the image of the WB&TS clean; but in reality, the organization in full of problems and corruption that is not acknowledged. All the problems are glossed over because of our supposedly being in spiritual paradise. The so-called representative of the faithful and discreet slave class, the Governing Body, cvlaims to have long ago passed the test and now enjoys a clean standing in front of God and Christ. Just like the Pharisees these ones are far removed from the masses. They are blind to the reality of there situation and so are those who are following there lead. (Luke 6:39) Then he also spoke an illustration to them: "A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Both will tumble into a pit, will they not? Because of this situation we must take Jesus words to heart. Jesus mentioned in Luke’s account "give as gifts of mercy the things that are inside, and, look! all [other] things are clean about YOU. What are these gifts of mercy that we have inside of us? They are our God given qualities that Jehovah gave us. These qualities can be aroused to action by God’s spirit. The Pharisees kept resisting God’s spirit and thus could not sense these qualities in themselves. We who love God, want to please him and worship him in spirit and truth can let God’s spirits arouse in us these gifts of mercy. Each person has different gifts of mercy to give. The apostle Peter and John when asked for gifts of mercy from a blind man gave what they had to give. Lets take a look at this account in Acts chapter three. 3 Now Peter and John were going up into the temple for the hour of prayer, the ninth hour, 2 and a certain man that was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, and they would daily put him near the temple door that was called Beautiful, in order to ask gifts of mercy from those entering into the temple. 3 When he caught sight of Peter and John about to go into the temple he began requesting to get gifts of mercy. 4 But Peter, together with John, gazed at him and said: "Take a look at us." 5 So he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to get something from them. 6 However, Peter said: "Silver and gold I do not possess, but what I do have is what I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Naz·a·rené, walk!" 7 With that he took hold of him by the right hand and raised him up. Instantly the soles of his feet and his anklebones were made firm; 8 and, leaping up, he stood up and began walking, and he entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God. Notice it was not a physical thing that Peter and John had to give, but a spiritual one. Not that giving physical things is inappropriate. For we are commanded to help our brothers in need when it is in our to power to do so physically. (James 2:15-16) At this time we can not produce miracles like curing the blind either. Each of us does have gifts we can give. Wether it is up building our brothers and sisters with a encouraging thought, helping someone with emotional distress, being a true friend and listening to each others concern, there are many ways we can give of ourselves. We can have a true self sacrificing spirit and by this we can clean the inside of the dish which is the heart and our outside (our personality) will automatically become clean. Paul’s word to the Colossians are appropriate: 9 Do not be lying to one another. Strip off the old personality with its practices, 10 and clothe yourselves with the new [personality], which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it. Instead of being concerned about their outside image, the WB&TS should be concerned about the inside image that God is trying to create in us. This image is made from the inside-out not the outside-in. Let us make it our goal to pursue these gifts of mercy within us by praying for God’s spirit to activate in us these wonderful qualities, so that we may fully put on this new personality.

Happy and Holy are those of the first resurrection!

Paul said in Philippians 3:8-11 8 Why, for that matter, I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. On account of him I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ and be found in union with him, having, not my own righteousness, which results from law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that issues from God on the basis of faith, so as to know him and the power of his resurrection and a sharing in his sufferings, submitting myself to a death like his, [to see] if I may by any means attain to the earlier resurrection from the dead. Paul's goal was to attain to the first resurrection from the dead by sharing in the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus. What is the first resurrection? Who are part of that resurrection? What does this involve? These questions will be answered scripturally from God's word. In Revelation Chapter 20 this first resurrection is described. 4 And I saw thrones, and there were those who sat down on them, and power of judging was given them. Yes, I saw the souls of those executed with the ax for the witness they bore to Jesus and for speaking about God, and those who had worshiped neither the wild beast nor its image and who had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand. And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years. We see just as Paul described in Philippians that those who suffer death for their witnessing work about God and Christ will be part of the first resurrection, also like their master, Jesus Christ, they are no part of the world; thus, they do not receive the mark of the wild beast. Those having part in this first resurrection will be priests and Kings with Christ for a thousand years. (1 Peter 2:9, Rev 5:9-10, Rev 14:1-5) When will this first resurrection happen? All scripture indicates it happens at the last trumpet or seventh trumpet. In Revelation chapter 11 the seventh trumpet is blown, at that time God's Kingdom is born and those in union with Christ who have died will be brought to life and they will join with those who are alive. They will altogether meet in the air. 1 Thess 4:15 For this is what we tell YOU by Jehovah's word, that we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord shall in no way precede those who have fallen asleep [in death]; 16 because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel's voice and with God's trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. 17 Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall always be with [the] Lord. 18 Consequently keep comforting one another with these words. 1Cor 15:50 However, this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit God's kingdom, neither does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Look! I tell YOU a sacred secret: We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, during the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised up incorruptible, and we shall be changed All the Lord's holy ones will meet him at the same time and will be with him forever. This is the first resurrection. This resurrection takes place during the last trumpet or seventh trumpet of revelation when the Kingdom is born. Notice too that not all the holy ones fall asleep in death but some will change in an instant, in a twinkling of an eye. They do die in a sense that they at that moment give up their fleshly body and take on a spiritual body. For as Paul said flesh and blood can not inherit God's Kingdom. One further thought on this is that the three Hebrews in Daniel chapter three faced death if they did not bow down to the image that Nebuchadnezzar setup. Even thought they were threatened with death and put into the furnace, they lived because God saved them. So it may happen with those who are surviving and are threatened with death for not worshiping the beast. That is probably why there is a distinction between those who were executed with the axe and those who did not worship the beast. The holy ones are the kingdom. Thus when the kingdom is born that is when the resurrection happens. How many will be resurrected into this heavenly Kingdom? Revelation answers: Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and there were those who sat down on them, and power of judging was given them. Yes, I saw the souls of those executed with the ax for the witness they bore to Jesus and for speaking about God, and those who had worshiped neither the wild beast nor its image and who had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand. And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for a thousand years. Rev 14 And I saw, and, look! The Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound out of heaven as the sound of many waters and as the sound of loud thunder; and the sound that I heard was as of singers who accompany themselves on the harp playing on their harps. 3 And they are singing as if a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been bought from the earth. 4 These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, 5 and no falsehood was found in their mouths; they are without blemish. Rev 5:9 And they sing a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slaughtered and with your blood you bought persons for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth." Here it is explained that these 144,000 are bought from among mankind, they are to rule as Kings and Priests for a thousand years. They do not worship the wild beast and receive the mark. That is why they come to life first. They are the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. The rest of the dead will not come to life until the thousand years have ended. How is that the rest of the dead don't come to life until a thousand years later? When those of the first resurrection come to life, it is to everlasting life from which the second death (eternal destruction) has no hold on them. For those who survive into or are resurrected into the thousand year reign of Christ on earth, there is still the possibility of succumbing to the second death. It is not until the thousand years is over that they are rewarded everlasting life. What does it mean that the 144,000 are virgins and did not defile themselves with women? This can not be taken literally. Why? Because many of the disciples of Christ were married. The apostle Paul said it would not be a sin if a Christian was to marry but that he would have tribulation in the flesh. 1 Cor 7:28 But even if you did marry, you would commit no sin. And if a virgin [person] married, such one would commit no sin. However, those who do will have tribulation in their flesh. But I am sparing YOU. Paul's advice was that if you could control your desires then it would be better to stay single but if you could not then it would be better to marry. So getting married would not disqualify one from being part of the 144,000. If it did, many of the disciples back in Paul's day could not be called to be with Christ. Well, then, in what sense does it mean to be a virgin? Those who rule with Christ are said to be no part of the world. They do not give worship the wild beast which forces all to worship it. Any worship that is not given to God but to others is Idolatry which in turn is spiritual fornication or adultery for those who knew God and gave in to it. All spiritual deviation is called fornication or adultery. Since the anointed are engaged to be married to the lord, they must remain chaste in order to become married to the lord. If they commit spiritual fornication or adultery then they are disqualified from taking part in the wedding. In this sense all the 144,000 are virgins. They remain loyal to there lord and thus are qualified to marry him. It goes without saying if the marriage to the lord is symbolic so is the virgin status of those who are to marry him. What about the number 144,000? Is it symbolic or literal? Why did Christ say many are called but few are chosen? These questions will be addressed in part two.

Who is the Hired man?

In John chapter ten Jesus gives the illustration of the fine shepherd. Just before this Jesus had healed a blind man. This man was born blind and there was no disputing that fact. After he was healed he was brought before the Pharisees. After giving a thorough witness about his healing and how Jesus had done it; the Pharisees refused to believe it, calling him a sinner and throwing him out. The reason for their rage was because Jesus had done this healing on the sabbath. So, in their eyes Jesus was a sinner who did not obey God’s law. The blind man logically said to them: " 30 In answer the man said to them: "This certainly is a marvel, that YOU do not know where he is from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does his will, he listens to this one. 32 From of old it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of one born blind. 33 If this [man] were not from God, he could do nothing at all." This lowly man gave a logical and biblical answer, which the Pharisees could not refute. So, they discredited him and kicked him out. Jesus, after finding out what happened, made this statement before the Pharisees. 39 And Jesus said: "For [this] judgment I came into this world: that those not seeing might see and those seeing might become blind." 40 Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and they said to him: "We are not blind also, are we?" 41 Jesus said to them: "If YOU were blind, YOU would have no sin. But now YOU say, ‘We see.’ YOUR sin remains." The Pharisees believed they understood all God’s laws and therefore "could see". The people of the Jews were blind because they did not understand like the Pharisees. Jesus indicated that was going to change. Those who put faith in him would now "see," and those who did not would become blind. Jesus' works showed he was from God. Yet, because of the Pharisees' man made traditions and self righteousness, they became blind to this evidence. This now leads us into the illustration of the fine shepherd. Jesus starts out by showing there is only one way into the Kingdom of God, through him. All those who try to get in another way are thieves and plunderers. 10 "Most truly I say to YOU, He that does not enter into the sheepfold through the door but climbs up some other place, that one is a thief and a plunderer. 2 But he that enters through the door is shepherd of the sheep. 3 The doorkeeper opens to this one, and the sheep listen to his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has got all his own out, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will by no means follow but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." 6 Jesus spoke this comparison to them; but they did not know what the things meant that he was speaking to them. Of course, the Pharisees didn’t understand the illustration because they were blind to the truth. They are the type who try to get in by other means. Next, Jesus shows how he is the door and anyone wanting to get in must go through him. He is the way, the truth and the life. 7 Therefore Jesus said again: "Most truly I say to YOU, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All those that have come in place of me are thieves and plunderers; but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the door; whoever enters through me will be saved, and he will go in and out and find pasturage. 10 The thief does not come unless it is to steal and slay and destroy. I have come that they might have life and might have it in abundance. 11 I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep. 12 The hired man, who is no shepherd and to whom the sheep do not belong as his own, beholds the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and flees—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them— 13 because he is a hired man and does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the fine shepherd, and I know my sheep and my sheep know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I surrender my soul in behalf of the sheep. Jesus next introduces "The Hired Man". First he mentions that all those who come in place of him are thieves and plunderers. If that is true then why get more specific and mention this hired man. In order to be a hired man you have to be hired. Jesus said that this man was hired to take care of the sheep but he has not performed his work that he was hired for and has shown that he does not care for the sheep and will even abandon them in a time of crisis, when the wolf attacks! Who is this hired man? He would have to have authority over the sheep since he is supposed to take care of them. Who claims to have this authority over the sheep? The Watchtower and the Governing body of Jehovah’s witnesses, the so called faithful and discreet slave. They say that they have been approved by Christ since 1919 to have control of his belongings because they had passed the test of faithfulness. ( see March 1st 2004 Wt) Even though this claim of passing some test is bogus, Jesus did use this organization to preach truth about Jehovah God and himself and to make disciples. It is obvious that the organization has been used to preach to the world about God’s kingdom, even though our timing of the coming of this Kingdom has been in error. But, why would Jehovah use such a corrupt and misleading organization? Well, think about it, did he not use the nation of Israel even though they constantly proved unfaithful for the most part? That nation was used to produce the Christ and to impart an understanding of Jehovah God. When its usefulness was no longer needed that system of worship was done away with. Jesus said that there would be faithful and unfaithful men in the same household. Those having control would be represented by this hired man who would not care for the sheep. The Watchtower society has shown much disregard for many of Jesus sheep over the years, even more so in recent years. In fact, we may anticipate that it will come to a point when they will show absolutely no regard for the sheep and abandon them when a crisis arises. That crisis will result in the collapse of the Watchtower Society. Those who are faithful and are keeping awake will see the sign Christ gave as a signal to get out. Matt 24:15 "Therefore, when YOU catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) 16 then let those in Ju·déa begin fleeing to the mountains. How do we know the Watchtower is the holy place? By putting several pieces of the puzzle together. One is that even though the Watchtower says that the holy place at Matt 24:15 is Christendom, they negate that by saying that they themselves our the holy place in Daniel. But didn't Jesus say to let the discerning reader look to the book of Daniel for understanding? Yes, let the reader use discernment! Even the Watchtower’s own Bible translation cross references to the very verses in Daniel! (Daniel 11:31) And there will be arms that will stand up, proceeding from him; and they will actually profane the sanctuary, the fortress, and remove the constant [feature]. "And they will certainly put in place the disgusting thing that is causing desolation. (Daniel 12:11) "And from the time that the constant [feature] has been removed and there has been a placing of the disgusting thing that is causing desolation, there will be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. The Watchtower teaches that they themselves are the sanctuary and that the preaching work is the constant feature. (see the Pay attention to Daniel's Prophecy book pg. 267, 298) To make things more confusing, they also say the constant feature is removed three different times by three different governments! Yet, Matthew’s account refers to one single instance of the holy place being profaned and one disgusting thing doing the desolating. Again, Matthew’s account must harmonize with Daniel. Though Jesus' prophecy had a minor fulfilment in the first century, the major fulfilment happens just before he arrives to call his chosen ones. We can also see this in Daniel for the fulfilment takes place during the time of the end. In the minor fulfillment it was God’s rejected temple that was the holy place and the king of the north at that time, the Roman empire, was the disgusting thing. The faithful left Jerusalem, just as Christ said to do. The major fulfillment will be similar. The Holy place will be a rejected temple and the disgusting thing will be the final king of the north, the United Nations. The holy place is trampled because of transgression and because some have acted wickedly against the covenant. (Daniel 11:32, 8:12,23) Those who are faithful or who know there God escape and prevail. Since it is established that the holy ones are trampled by this disgusting thing, or the king of the north, then, they must represent the holy place in Matthew 24:15. When those who know their God catch sight of this beast standing in the holy place, they will then know it is time to flee. Those who do not will suffer calamity. It is at this time of distress that the hired man (the so called faithful slave) who is over the sheep will abandon them cause of the wolf (the king of the north, UN). Only those who listen to the voice of the fine shepherd will escape. Those who know Him and their God. They do not listen to the voice of strangers who tell them that their master already came back in 1914; and claiming that there is peace and a spiritual paradise, when there is no such thing. They are wise, like the five wise virgins who are ready to meet the master upon his arrival; having extra oil for their lamps, they know that the master could possibly delay, but he will not fail to arrive. Matt 24:43 "But know one thing, that if the householder had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 On this account YOU too prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that YOU do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming. Addition to this article: Since I'm no longer one of Jehovah's witnesses in the sense of being part of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society's organization/corporation, my views have changed. I believe the hired man illustration could be applied to any organization claiming to Christ's Church/body. I no longer believe the Watchtower is God's sole channel of communication to his people. ( see my blog "Who really is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?".

Be on the watch for the false prophets

As early as the beginning of the nation of Israel, Jehovah God warned of false prophets that would arise from among his own people. The whole chapter of Deuteronomy thirteen deals with false prophets and those who could mislead God’s people away from true worship into apostasy. Deut 18: 20-22 also explains how to tell a true prophet from a false one. The warning given in Chapters 13 & 18 is very helpful to us even today. Jesus Christ warned us that false christs and false prophets would arise before his stealth-like, thief in the night second coming. (Matt 7:15, 24:11, 24) The apostles also had warned of false teachers and prophets arising from within. (2 Peter 2:1, 1John 4:1, 1 Tim 4:1, 2 Thess 2:2) First of all how do we tell who is a false prophet and who is not? Well, Deut 18:20-22 gives us some guidelines. After telling about the true prophet that God was going to raise up like Moses ( Jesus Christ), he then warns about false ones and how to identify them. Deut 18:20 "‘However, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. 21 And in case you should say in your heart: "How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?" 22 when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him.’ So, we see three ways to identify a false prophet. One: Anyone who speaks in the name of Jehovah a word he had not commanded. Two: Any prophet that speaks in the name of other gods. Three: Anyone who speaks in the name of Jehovah and it does not occur or come true. Lets take the first one, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak. How do we know whether or not a prophet speaks something God has not commanded? Well, we must check what this prophet says with what God’s word says. As the apostle John said in 1 John 4:1; 4 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world. We must test any seemingly inspired expression with God’s word to see if it is true. This may not be as easy as it sounds. That is why we must faithfully put our trust in God and pray incessantly! Those who keeping asking and seeking will receive! The second way might seem to be easy to identify, but is not always easy since idolatry can come in many forms. Two a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods. Another god can be a spirit, a man or anything that is put above Jehovah. This is shown is Deut 13:6-9 6 "In case your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or your cherished wife or your companion who is like your own soul, should try to allure you in secrecy, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ whom you have not known, neither you nor your forefathers, 7 some of the gods of the peoples who are all around YOU, the ones near you or those far away from you, from one end of the land to the other end of the land, 8 you must not accede to his wish or listen to him, nor should your eye feel sorry for him, nor must you feel compassion, nor cover him [protectively]; 9 but you should kill him without fail. Any man or men that lure you away from giving worship or devotion to Jehovah God should be avoided. Jehovah is a God exacting exclusive devotion! We are to put our trust in him not any other man or supposed god. Trust is a major issue when it comes to who is a true prophet and who is not. For an example of this we have the account of the Baal prophets verses Elijah, the true prophet in 1 Kings 18. Third is a prophet that speaks in Jehovah’s name and what he has spoken did not occur or come true. This is an obvious sign that the prophet is false, for Jehovah does not say things that don’t come true. One example of this is the prophet Han·a·níah which you can read about at Jeremiah chapter 28. So, with these three ways to tell who is false and who is true we can now determine for ourselves who are true and who are false today. As mentioned previously, the apostles themselves warned of false teachers and prophets arising from within the congregations and increasing to the point that it would eventually become an all out apostasy . Acts 20:28 Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed YOU overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own [Son]. 29 I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among YOU and will not treat the flock with tenderness, 30 and from among YOU yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves. Paul knew that wicked men would enter in among God’s holy ones in order to draw them away from Christ. This was already starting to happen, especially in the Corinthian congregation. It is amazing that no sooner than Christianity is set up that corruption was already taking place! The apostle Paul knew that it would only get worse over time. The apostle Peter to warned of this happening. 2 However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among YOU. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. 2 Furthermore, many will follow their acts of loose conduct, and on account of these the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively. 3 Also, with covetousness they will exploit YOU with counterfeit words. But as for them, the judgment from of old is not moving slowly, and the destruction of them is not slumbering. So both Paul & Peter say that these men would come from among the true disciples and that they would speak twisted things in such a way that they would exploit you with counterfeit words, coveting your very souls. Because their covetous actions draw Christians away to themselves; they disown the very owner that bought them, Jesus Christ. Not only that, but because of the false teaching and actions of these men and acts of loose conduct, which will be discussed, the truth is spoken of abusively! Jesus also warned about false prophets who would mislead and try to take his place or even the place of the true Holy ones. 4 And in answer Jesus said to them: "Look out that nobody misleads YOU; 5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 11 And many false prophets will arise and mislead many; 23 "Then if anyone says to YOU, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. 25 Look! I have forewarned YOU. 26 Therefore, if people say to YOU, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look! He is in the inner chambers,’ do not believe it. 27 For just as the lightning comes out of eastern parts and shines over to western parts, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 28 Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. 8 "And to the angel of the congregation in Smyŕna write: These are the things that he says, ‘the First and the Last,’ who became dead and came to life [again], 9 ‘I know your tribulation and poverty—but you are rich—and the blasphemy by those who say they themselves are Jews, and yet they are not but are a synagogue of Satan. (Revelation 3:9) Look! I will give those from the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews, and yet they are not but are lying—look! I will make them come and do obeisance before your feet and make them know I have loved you. So, Jesus says these men would be so powerful that even the chosen ones could possibly be misled. Now, if all the false prophets are from Christendom how could the chosen ones possibly be misled by the clergy? They wouldn’t, because we know that Christendom has been corrupt from day one. Therefore, these false Jews or anointed ones, come from within God’s own people. They are a synagogue of Satan as Jesus puts it, and are liars. How do we identify these false ones in our mist? Well, lets list the things mentioned already from the old testament and new testament. 1) Anyone who speaks in Jehovah’s name a word which he has not spoken. 2) Anyone who speaks in Jehovah’s name and it has not come true. 3) Anyone who speaks in the name of other gods. 4) False prophets would claim to be anointed followers of Christ when in actuality they are from the synagogue of Satan. 5) They would speak twisted things or exploit you with counterfeit words. 6) By this they would draw you after themselves or covet you into their thinking. 7) because of their words and actions, the truth would be spoken of abusively. Beside these things listed here, there are more things to be connected-- like the Man of lawlessness-- covered by e-Watchman. Throughout the years of the Watchtower we can see a two-fold message. One is a message of truth. It tells, who the true God is and what his purpose is for mankind and how his son, Jesus Christ, will fulfill all the things written in the scriptures; how there is no burning hell or eternal torment; there is not a mysterious triune god that we worship, but one true God. There are many truths that we have learned from the Watchtower, but there is also many things that have been twisted by men. The other message is one that exploits you with counterfeit words; such as we are living in a spiritual paradise; there is peace and harmony in our God-blessed organization, at least as long as you are loyal to the Watchtower you will have God’s blessing and protection. God’s Kingdom is already ruling and will destroy all who are not loyal to the Watchtower. Even though we have said many wrong things in the name of God and we have changed our minds on scriptures several times twisting them to our own interpretation and we disfellowship all those who oppose us, especially those who expose us for our apostasy, we are the true channel and only light from God, without us you will not be saved. Did Jesus say we were to trust the faithful slave? (as the Watchtower put it in the September 1st 2004 magazine: "What does Jesus the fine shepherd, tell us to do?) He teaches us to make disciples and to trust the faithful slave." Matt 24:45 is quoted as proof text that we are to trust the faithful slave. Matt 24:45 "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? Does Jesus here say to trust the faithful slave? No. Instead he asks the question "who really is the faithful & discreet slave?" Nowhere in the scriptures does it say to trust some faithful slave. No, but instead we are to trust God and Jesus. All this slave is to do is to give food at the proper time until Jesus arrives, then the faithful will be rewarded and the evil slave will be punished. . 45 "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. 47 Truly I say to YOU, He will appoint him over all his belongings. 48 "But if ever that evil slave should say in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’ 49 and should start to beat his fellow slaves and should eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, 51 and will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his part with the hypocrites. There is where [his] weeping and the gnashing of [his] teeth will be. Luke also talks about a faithful slave but adds to it this: 47 Then that slave that understood the will of his master but did not get ready or do in line with his will will be beaten with many strokes. 48 But the one that did not understand and so did things deserving of strokes will be beaten with few. Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him. In Luke's account of the faithful and evil slaves, Jesus explained that there will be those who will be punished because of either understanding and not doing anything about it; or, not understanding and so did things wrong. In both of these instances it seems that the heart of the slave is good, but his actions are not proper and so he must be disciplined. This illustration also shows that it is not just a matter of faithful verse evil slave, but the heart of each slave of Christ that is judged when he arrives. All Christ's brothers are slaves of him until they are united with him in heaven. In conclusion, we understand that there are many slaves in God’s household. What each slave will prove to be will be determined at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Until then we will have to discern who are the false teachers among us who are misleading us away from our salvation in Christ. We can only do this by having complete trust in our God and our lord Jesus Christ, not a so called faithful and discreet slave. Also, by studying God’s word like those in Beroea, and praying incessantly, like the apostle Paul advised. 10 Immediately by night the brothers sent both Paul and Silas out to Be·roéa, and these, upon arriving, went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thes·sa·lo·níca, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so. . 17 Pray incessantly. Jesus told us to stay awake until he comes. Interestingly, he said this right before he mentions the faithful and discreet slave. 43 "But know one thing, that if the householder had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 On this account YOU too prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that YOU do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming. 32 "Concerning that day or the hour nobody knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but the Father. 33 Keep looking, keep awake, for YOU do not know when the appointed time is. 34 It is like a man traveling abroad that left his house and gave the authority to his slaves, to each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to keep on the watch. 35 Therefore keep on the watch, for YOU do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether late in the day or at midnight or at cockcrowing or early in the morning; 36 in order that when he arrives suddenly, he does not find YOU sleeping. 37 But what I say to YOU I say to all, Keep on the watch." Yes, even though the Watchtower teaches that the lord has already come and has already given the reward, don’t believe it! Christ says nobody will know the appointed time! That is why we must stay on the watch! What would those who try to mislead us say? 2 However, brothers, respecting the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we request of YOU 2 not to be quickly shaken from YOUR reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here. (2 Timothy 2:18) These very [men] have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred; and they are subverting the faith of some. Yes, the Watchtower has said the day of Jehovah has already come; by saying that Christ has already come and judged his house and the Kingdom is already established. And because of this, the Watchtower itself, in effect, teaches that the resurrection of the dead anointed has already begun. Well, so much for a conclusion! Sorry if I tend to keep going on, but many things are connected. In true conclusion: Now we can understand exactly why Christ's coming will be truly as a thief in the night!