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Friday, December 10, 2004

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?".
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