Reports are emerging of an announcement at the 128th Annual Meeting of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania that the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses now considers itself to be the Faithful and Discreet Slave Class of Matthew 24:45 in its entirety.
Previously it was understood that the Governing Body were merely humble “representatives” of the “Slave Class”, which comprised the 12,000 or more anointed remnant of Christians with a heavenly calling still on earth. Despite claiming to be “representatives” of this group of people, suspicions were raised in the minds of many thinking Witnesses after reading articles such as the Questions From Readers of the August 15th 2011 Watchtower, where it was admitted that the Governing Body has no actual communication with memorial partakers (the “anointed”) and even feels that some of these ones may be mentally imbalanced. (see w11 8/15 p. 22)
Many have predicted that, at some point in the future, the Governing Body would end this confusion by claiming that they themselves are the Faithful and Discreet Slave, with the anointed remnant playing no special role. According to numerous reports this has finally happened. However, this remarkable claim opens a labyrinth of fresh doctrinal puzzles that future publications must now attempt to explain.
The Annual Meeting at which this “new light” was revealed was held at Jersey Assembly Hall (The Stanley Theater), New Jersey on October 6th – the same day that a sensitive Watchtower letter was leaked on the internet.
Although I previously reported in this article that the meeting was NOT broadcast to other locations, this appears to be untrue. The meeting had a total audience of 15,514 including those watching via video link from Brooklyn, Patterson, Walkill and Canada. Some in attendance took notes of what was said during the meeting, and have leaked this extaordinary new information online, so the news is gradually spreading around the world even though this “new light” has not yet been presented officially in the publications as it normally would be. (Update: to read about the printed explanation of the “new light” in the July 15 2013 Watchtower, please click here)
Anointed demoted – Governing Body promoted
The new understanding was explained over a series of six talks delivered by various Governing Body members over a two-hour period. The purpose of the talks was to impart the following adjustments:
- The Faithful and Discreet Slave was NOT appointed at Pentecost 33CE, meaning that there has not been a continuous line of members of the Slave Class on the earth down through the ages. The Slave Class was only appointed for the first time by Christ in 1919.
- The Faithful and Discreet Slave is a small group of anointed brothers during Jesus’ presence serving at Watchtower Headquarters who are directly involved in the preparing and dispensing of spiritual food. The individual members of the Governing Body are not the Faithful and Discreet Slave. They only act as the Faithful and Discreet Slave when they are working as a collective body in making decisions regarding the dispensing of spiritual food.
- The “domestics” of Matthew 24:45 are all those who are fed spiritually by the Governing Body, whether of the anointed or “other sheep”. This includes individual members of the Governing Body when they partake of spiritual food.
- The events described in Matthew 24:46,47 now refer to Jesus coming during the Great Tribulation and giving the Governing Body their reward in heaven along with the rest of the anointed.
- The “belongings” of Matthew 24:47 refer to all of Christ’s heavenly and earthly interests.
- Despite founding the Watch Tower Society, Charles Taze Russell was not part of the Slave Class because he was not alive and serving at Headquarters when Christ made his selection in 1919. The work of Russell and his associates was like that of the “messenger” in Malachi 3:1.
- The cleansing of God’s people is ongoing because, apparently, the bible gives two accounts of Christ doing a “cleansing” work, once at the start and once at the end of his ministry
In addition to the doctrinal changes, it was also explained that:
- The Governing Body members now make decisions based on a total majority, meaning that if a doctrinal understanding does not have full agreement by all Governing Body members, it is “shelved” until a future date.
- The lecture for Gilead and Branch Schools about the Faithful and Discreet Slave being 1,900 years old has now been deleted.
It is understood that the above doctrinal changes will be explained in further detail in future Watchtower articles. However, it could potentially be months before these articles are published and then studied at congregation meetings. Reports on Annual Meetings are not normally published until the August 15th Watchtower is released in April of each year. In the meantime, many brothers will likely be confused and bewildered that the Governing Body has made such a radical departure from their previous understanding of Matthew 24:45. Still more will wonder why these dramatic adjustments were not first published in a Watchtower article so that they could be simultaneously disseminated throughout the entire organization rather than announced to a select few at a New York corporate meeting.
Anointed Christians who entertain a heavenly hope will feel particularly aggrieved at this latest humiliation. As memorial partakers they had already suffered the indignity of being labelled as potentially “mentally or emotionally imbalanced” in the aforementioned Questions From Readers article of the August 15th, 2011 Watchtower. In the same article, the Governing Body bluntly dismissed the suggestion that there was any requirement on their part to contact such ones when deciding over doctrinal matters.
Now the 12,000+ crowd of anointed spread throughout the earth has suffered the final insult of being demoted as members of the Faithful and Discreet Slave in favor of eight men in New York who have deemed themselves the only ones worthy of this title. When it comes to teaching Christ’s followers, the anointed must now share equal standing with the millions of the Great Crowd as Christ’s “domestics”, even though they are supposed to rule over such ones as kings and priests with Christ at some future date.
A subtle use of words
It is noteworthy that this “new light” stops short of expressly naming “the Governing Body” as the Faithful Slave – rather a “group” of anointed brothers serving at Watchtower headquarters, which can only be applied to the Governing Body in our present day. This distinction is significant, because it acknowledges that there was no Governing Body as we know it prior to 1971 – only the Watch Tower Society Board of Directors who, as I have explained in a previous article, were informally described as a “governing body” (lower case) only from 1944 onwards.
The significance of this is that, if Christ had come to inspect the organization and appoint the Governing Body as his Faithful Slave in 1919 he would have been disappointed, because this entity would not exist as a collective decision-making body for another 52 years! However, if Christ was less specific and instead chose “a group of anointed men at Headquarters” at that time, then Rutherford as Watch Tower President and his board of subordinate directors were available to be chosen collectively as the Faithful Slave. Even if you are prepared to accept this rather bewildering explanation of Matthew 24:45 (a scripture that most people regard as a mere parable), there is one particularly problematic doctrinal flaw that the Society will need to address.
No scriptural precedent for apostolic succession
If Rutherford and his anointed associates were selected in 1919, then on what scriptural basis can it be automatically assumed that their roles as the Faithful and Discreet Slave were transferable, or could be “inherited”, by successive generations of the Board of Directors of the Watch Tower Society – which, after all, is merely a legal entity?
Part of the basis of this new understanding appears to be that Jehovah has always used a small group of people to teach and dispense spiritual food to the many, and that in the First Century it was the apostles and older men who were given this role by Christ. However, the bible provides no example of how those appointed by God to be his representatives may pass their duties on to someone else in the event of their death without God’s clear and unambiguous approval. (Numbers 27:18-20) The idea of someone inheriting someone else’s position because they have died is clearly a fleshly concept rather than a spiritual one.
True, the Kings of Israel and Judea were succeeded by their male offspring, but they played no distinct role in instructing the people. Most importantly, the arrangement of kings in Israel was not favored by God, but rather instituted to placate the Israelites who demanded a king to serve under in the same way as the nations around them. (1 Samuel 8:5-8, 19) It’s therefore inconceivable that a monarchic arrangement in which those appointed by God may choose their own successors would be a feature of “Spiritual Israel” – an institution that is not subject to the whims of humans but is of purely divine origin.
In the case of the twelve apostles appointed by Christ, once these died off they were not replaced by successors. Matthias was the only apostle “of the twelve” who wasn’t appointed directly by Jesus, but he was only appointed as a replacement of unfaithful Judas by the casting of lots. (Acts 1:23-26) The Society themselves admit that the reason for the appointment of Matthias in this manner was due to the unfaithfulness of Judas, rather than as a response to Judas’ death. As further evidence, when faithful apostle James died (as with the rest of the apostles) there is no record of any concern over whether a replacement should be appointed. Consider the following quote from the Insight book…
“Sometime during the ten days between Jesus’ ascension and the day of Pentecost it was viewed as necessary that another be selected to fill the vacancy left by Judas, not simply on the basis of his death but, rather, on the basis of his wicked defection, as the Scriptures quoted by Peter indicate. (Ac 1:15-22; Ps 69:25; 109:8; compare Re 3:11.) Thus, by contrast, when the faithful apostle James was put to death, there is no record of any concern to appoint anyone to succeed him in his position of apostle.—Ac 12:2.” – Insight On The Scriptures, Volume 1, Page 129
The Governing Body has long pointed to Christ’s apostles as a divinely approved model for their collective authority, but they have never once explained how Christ has any involvement in their individual appointment. They are now asking us to believe that Christ directly chose Joseph Rutherford and his anointed associates as his modern-day “apostles”, or Faithful and Discreet Slave, in 1919 – but they will never be able to satisfactorily explain how, once Rutherford and his associates died, the divinely appointed authority of these ones was conferred to successive generations of Watchtower leaders.
In the past, the Society was able to evade this issue with comparative ease, because they could point to the Faithful and Discreet Slave CLASS as being ever-present throughout history from Pentecost 33CE onwards (i.e. individual anointed ones were not “succeeded” by anyone on their death), with the Governing Body assuming an albeit self-appointed and symbolic role as representatives of these ones in recent times.
Now, the Society has effectively scrapped the idea of the Faithful and Discreet Slave as a “class”, and now insists that the office of the Faithful Slave was bestowed by Christ on the shoulders of Rutherford and his associates in 1919, and this office was somehow passed down to successive members of the Watch Tower Society Board of Directors until the Governing Body arrangement was introduced in 1971. Thereafter, they insist that this “succession” continued as Governing Body members died and were replaced until we arrive today at a situation where eight individuals, none of whom had even been born in 1919, are now Christ’s “Faithful and Discreet Slave”. Not only does this sound incredibly implausible – most significantly there is absolutely no scriptural precedent for things to be done by God in this manner whatsoever.
In the bible, God’s favored way of doing things has always been to appoint either an individual or group of individuals to lead his people, and once these ones died their office (or position) died with them – unless God made clear that he was handing it to somebody else. In other words, God appoints people according to their individual merits, not based on who has gone before them. There is no reason to believe that God or Christ would do a complete U-turn and now do things entirely differently, especially during times such as these when the Earth is supposed to be on the brink of falling under Christ’s millennial rule, and divinely appointed direction is said to be needed more than ever by God’s people deep in these “last days”.
It is also interesting to note that, according to reports, the Governing Body is now insisting that the organization has been in an ongoing period of “cleansing” since 1919. Whether this will be somehow used to explain the idea of succession remains to be seen. The Governing Body may try to claim that part of this ongoing “cleansing” involves Christ appointing new members of the Faithful Slave. Regardless of how they try to explain it, thinking Witnesses will wonder why Jesus Christ needs 93 years and counting, not to mention successive generations of Watchtower leaders, to cleanse his organization and impart divine truth.
A talk by Samuel Herd apparently attempted to reinforce the link between the Apostles and the Governing Body, but admitted that once these Apostles died the “restraint” was removed allowing apostasy to set in. As I have already asked in this article, how can the Governing Body justify likening themselves to every feature of the First Century apostles apart from the key characteristic whereby no apostles were replaced once they had died?
A poor choice of slave
Not only is the “successor” element of the Governing Body’s new teaching highly suspect, but prior to this new teaching questions were already being raised as to how Christ could possibly have chosen Joseph Rutherford and his associates as his approved earthly organization in 1919. There are two main reasons for this…
Spiritual Food – I have already published an article detailing how the publications of the Bible Students in circulation between 1918 and 1919 were not just partially inaccurate – they were shockingly misleading and downright fanciful in their application of scripture. There are few more obvious examples of this than the Finished Mystery, which spoke of the distance between the place where it was written and the place where it was printed as having prophetic significance, and described Charles Taze Russell as speaking from beyond the grave through its pages and supervising the “harvest work” even after his death!
In another of my articles, on InsideTheWatchtower.com, I have presented evidence of racist bigotry in the pages of early Watchtower publications both before, during and after Christ’s supposed inspection. Rutherford in particular described black men and women as a cursed “race of servants” in a Golden Age article ten years after Christ’s inspection was supposed to have taken place (see The Golden Age, July 24th 1929, page 702). Bear in mind that the Golden Age, the forerunner of today’s Awake! magazine, is still considered a vehicle of spiritual food just like any other Watchtower publication.
In summarizing the publications of the Bible Students that were in circulation during the period of Christ’s inspection in 1919, nobody put it better than former Governing Body member Raymond Franz when he said…
“A direct investigation of the publications of the Watch Tower organization in the years from 1914 to 1919 reveals none of the prudent discretion that causes a man to ‘keep his lips in check’. It would be an insult to Christ Jesus to say that he selected this organization on the basis of what it was teaching, uniquely and distinctively, as of 1919.” (Raymond Franz, In Search of Christian Freedom, page 145)
The personal character of Rutherford – I am still relatively recent in my “awakening” from the indoctrination of my upbringing as a Witness. Throughout my young life “Judge” Joseph Rutherford was frequently held aloft as a shining example of a humble servant of God, and to this day he is lauded by the Watch Tower Society as a man of great wisdom and courage. Such a depiction of him features prominently in the recent Faith In Action DVD series. Even so, the more I read about “Judge” Joseph Rutherford, the more I realize what a monstrous and vile man he truly was.
The Society’s problem with Rutherford is that, try as they may, they cannot prevent documented evidence of his questionable character from surfacing – especially since the internet has made it easier than ever before to share such information that would otherwise be hard to obtain. For example, I will shortly be publishing an article that will attempt to pull together some of the documented evidence of Rutherford’s temperament – in particular that which came to light during the libel lawsuit with Watchtower lawyer Olin Moyle between 1939 and 1940.
I will go into these matters in greater detail in my future article. However, suffice to say there is documented evidence connected with the lawsuit to suggest that:
- Rutherford allowed an atmosphere of alcoholism to prevail at Brooklyn Bethel, to the point where Bethel family members who decided to abstain from alcohol were ostracized and ridiculed.
- Rutherford was a bully, and used rude, abusive and patronizing words to humiliate Bethel workers that he disapproved of.
- Rutherford afforded himself a life of luxury with multiple residences across the United States while ordinary Bethel workers lived in cramped and squalid conditions.
- Rutherford was discriminatory in allowing one sister to get married and live in Bethel with her husband even though he had forced another brother to leave Bethel in disgrace because he chose to marry.
Added to what I have already mentioned about the racist material that was printed in Watchtower publications under Rutherford’s presidency, it seems inconceivable that Christ, who favored no race above another and encouraged his followers to be meek and humble, would choose a man of Rutherford’s bigoted and contemptible character to form part of his “original” Faithful and Discreet Slave. (Mark 9:35; 19:14) Even so, with this latest change of understanding, we are now being asked to believe that Christ not only approved Rutherford’s character, but found him and his associates the only worthy candidates out of all the humans on Earth at that time to form part of his “faithful and discreet slave”.
Fast forward to the 21st Century, and similarly we have a group of men who, despite having nowhere near as bad a reputation as Rutherford, still leave much to be desired in both humility and intelligence. As I have explained in another article, I recently started uploading videos to YouTube that focus on the words spoken from the platform by various Governing Body members.
One such Governing Body member, Anthony Morris III, boasts of disobeying orders from a superior during the Vietnam War, and even routinely calls himself “the Shoemaker” – insinuating that the guidance in his talks originates from his own wisdom rather than God’s. Anthony also uses a “monarchical ordinal” (a roman numeral) after his name to distinguish himself and honor his ancestors. Is this really one of the eight most humble men available on the Earth today for Jesus to appoint as part of his Faithful Slave?
Outstanding intelligence has never been a prerequisite for those who are used by Jehovah. Moses was not a fluent speaker, being “slow of mouth and slow of tongue”. (Exodus 4:10) Jesus’ followers were said to be unlettered and ordinary. (Acts 4:13) Even so, in an era where the ability to communicate effectively is so important, it is surprising to observe the lack of basic knowledge in certain Governing Body members.
In one talk, Anthony Morris III coined the term “thinkingest” to describe Jehovah’s people, and in another talk Stephen Lett felt compelled to explain to his audience that God’s “express will” has nothing to do with express trains, or “expresso” coffee, but simply means God’s clearly stated will. The fact that Stephen saw the need to explain this simple term, or research it for his talk, raises serious questions as to his intellectual credentials as one who is called upon to teach millions of God’s people around the world. Again, would Jesus select men who fall so desperately short with even their basic knowledge of words to communicate globally with his people (or “domestics”) out of the billions of potential candidates at his disposal?
A Predictable Change
I’ve already mentioned that some have long predicted this new change in understanding. I myself considered the possibility a few times, but I felt it would be some time before I would see the teaching actually introduced.
Interestingly, some time ago we ran a mini-survey on this website asking “Who is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?”, and 15% of the 530 who voted said they thought the term referred to the Governing Body. This well-illustrates that a good number of Witnesses are already oblivious to the matter. It also gives evidence of the cunning way in which the Society has incrementally slipped suggestions of this teaching into its publications over some time in readiness for the change.
As an example, at the 2012 Safeguard Your Heart District Convention a new brochure was released entitled Who Are Doing Jehovah’s Will Today? Page 22 of this brochure carried the heading “Who Is the Faithful and Discreet Slave Class?”, and answered the question (in part) as follows…
“They are genuine, spirit-anointed followers of Jesus. The ‘slave’ dispenses timely spiritual food to fellow worshippers of Jehovah. We are dependant upon this faithful slave class to keep giving us our ‘measure of food supplies at the proper time.'” – Luke 12:42 (Who Are Doing Jehovah’s Will Today?, p. 22)
Most people reading this paragraph before being told of the new “understanding” would fail to spot that the word “all” is crucially missing after “they are” and before “spirit-anointed followers of Jesus” in the first sentence in bold. Whether the omission of this word was deliberate is, I suppose, a matter of conjecture – but it seems more than a coincidence that, just a few months after printing this brochure, it was announced that NOT “all” spirit-anointed followers of Jesus are to be considered part of the Faithful and Discreet Slave. Supposedly, only eight individuals in Brooklyn now have this special role in God’s purpose.
What this change means
All of this is first-and-foremost about increasing power and control. By claiming that they are now the Faithful and Discreet Slave in its entirety, the Governing Body reinforces their authority over the organization and their influence over millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world. Rather than, in the minds of many Witnesses, being theoretically answerable to a larger group of thousands of anointed fellow worshippers who they claim to serve as “representatives”, they are now answerable to nobody but Christ. Nobody can question their position because, just as with the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, they can now claim their authority has been granted to them directly by God through Jesus.
Even though I understand their reasons for making this change, I believe it will cause more problems for the Governing Body than it will solve. Not only have they opened up an entirely new Pandora’s Box of doctrinal issues in their need to explain plausibly how the 1919 Faithful and Discreet Slave has magically become the Governing Body of today – there is something even more troubling that they should concern themselves with.
Many Witnesses were already baffled by the total authority assumed by the Governing Body, and how they have wielded this authority as representatives of the Slave Class without any communication with their anointed fellow christians. This was indeed a major source of doubt for me, and one of the many things that led to my eventually “awakening” from my indoctrination. The obvious disparity gave me the courage I needed to research my beliefs more objectively.
Now that the Governing Body has so brazenly swept aside their anointed colleagues and stripped them of any significance whatsoever in the dissemination of truth to God’s people, I feel there may be a backlash from thinking Jehovah’s Witnesses who were already harboring serious doubts but who will now feel “enough is enough”.
There are only so many lies and deceptions that you can load up on an intelligent human being and ask them to take seriously and base their entire life upon before something snaps. Eventually these falsehoods become too numerous and too hard to believe, and (as happened in my case) an individual will finally decide they have had enough. I believe this may happen on a considerable scale with Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world once this new teaching becomes widely known.
Added to the already considerable downsizing in the organization caused by a slowdown in global growth, it may be that before long we will start to see the number of publishers enter negative growth as those who are already mentally on the fringes start to leave the organization in droves. Only time will tell whether the new teaching will play a significant role in this likely exodus, but the downsizing of the organization has already begun, and I certainly don’t believe this new teaching will improve matters for the Society.
Over the years the Governing Body has grown increasingly arrogant and out-of-touch. You can only hide those sorts of attributes for so long before they become plain for all to see. For a while I entertained thoughts of new brothers being gradually added to the Governing Body who would see through the lies and do the honest and humble thing by admitting that they do not enjoy God’s blessing and eventually dissolving the organization – thereby setting millions of misguided worshippers mentally free. However, the more I observe the frequency with which the Governing Body is making mistakes both doctrinally and procedurally (particularly in relation to handling child abuse), the more I feel that the future of the organization will be irretrievably jeopardized far more quickly and effectively if the existing members are allowed to continue undisturbed in their obvious self-importance and ineptitude.
Summaries of this article are available in the following languages: Hungarian | German.
A PDF of notes taken at the Annual Meeting is now available, and can be downloaded by clicking here.
Please read my follow-up article by clicking here.
The GB are digusting filth May Jehovah destroy the Watch tower Society of Pensylvannia and all its tentacle like affiliates AMEN
I find it quite funny, that the society have always said, the nations would get together and try to totally elimanate Jehovah’s Witnesses, and that by doing that, they are poking Jehovah’s eye as it were. That attack would be the start of the great tribulation, and Armaggeddon. What they didn’t count on was the fact that the nations are against them for their terrible actions against the rank and file. Like the sex abuse, or the changes in doctrine that have allowed thousands to die in the past because of their totally wrong scriptual misapplications. (Which they now admit were wrong)
Are you all aware that it appears… The Society was preparing well in advance and may even had made arrangements for impending threats on the Watchtower assets? I wouldn’t be surprised if assets are sitting elsewhere (in other non profit shills?) so as to appear as if the Society is in the position to “plead poverty” have a look-see:
http://dc159.4shared.com/doc/gf-AoDRf/preview.html
Also what we all need to remember, is that the society have no problem at all lying or misleading individuals or even courts, if it means protecting their assetts. They simply call it theocratic warfare, where they tell the rank and file that they are in a war with the authorities, so of course they would not tell the enemy everything, just like in a normal war. After all from their point of view, fighting against God’s annointed governing body, is the same as fighting against Jehovah.
Alan,
Conversion of funds to evade litigation and misappropriation of donated Church Funds and tax evasion to avoid paying taxable “For Profit” income (Hedge Funds) of a 501c3 organization and all of those things are very serious crimes and yet no one sees fit to report these things? Even if they are only suspected they should be reported! But there is more than suspicion here, there is tangible evidence.
Totally agree, but the society has a massive track record of misleading people when necessary. I’m not saying they are always acting illegally. They are too expierenced for that. But they know how to work the system. Just like large corporations can get away with paying no tax.
They regularly speak out of both sides of their mouth. That way they can always quote something in the future if necessary. Like when times are difficult in the world, they will say it shows we are in the last days, and when things are good in the world, that shows the end is near, and they quote the peace and security scripture.
They have regularly misquoted evolutionists, scientists and bible translaters and they have been forced to remove the offending words from their publications when they are found out.
Many large ministries such as Jim Bakker and others have been indicted for tax evasion. They are required to at least report the taxable earned income to the IRS and other agencies in the countries respectively whether they have to pay on it or not and there is no evidence that they did that! I don’t get why no one reports these things…Also, they as a 501c3 are not permitted to convert church donated funds to a For Profit scheme such as the Hedge Fund investments and others…They also cannot transfer funds to avoid litigation, these are clear crimes…
I thought this might prove to be of interest.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1087637–audit-of-charities-encounters-resistance
Look at the list under ‘W.’
Try this one too:
http://www.charityintelligence.ca/charity-details/40-watch-tower-bible-and-tract-society-of-canada?view=charity&tmpl=component
Frank,
Thank you for that in Canada and have you all looked right here on this Forum as well? It indicated that the Hedge Fund investing has been going on in England from 2010 to 2012 and we don’t know that it was ever properly reported by them to the authorities but someone at some point did “out” it because it did become public knowledge. It was posted on many Forums for some time. We also don’t know what else, other illicit “investments” have taken place as well.
http://jwsurvey.org/general-information/where-is-the-public-benefit#comments
http://www.hedgefundintelligence.com/Product/13793/Forthcoming-Events/InvestHedge-Forum-2011.html?ElementId=9679
Rutherford’s angels
(extract from web article)
. . . . The next year, 1918, was claimed by Rutherford to be the year when the Holy Spirit was removed from the remnant and angels began teaching them the truth. Did the “light get brighter”? No. This new source of spiritual enlightenment was no better. In was in 1918 that Rutherford began to deliver his lecture, “Millions Now Living Will Never Die” which he believed was the “gospel of the kingdom” that was to be preached to all the world for a witness and then the end was to come – in 1925. Given that Rutherford claimed angels were responsible for everything he published, the Apostle Paul’s words to the churches in Galatia about other gospels from angels are relevant. (Galatians 1:6-9)
Rutherford preached a gospel other than the one Paul preached. Not only that, the “Millions” gospel and prophecy failed. The kingdom was not set-up in 1925 with the resurrection of Abraham and others. Bald heads, false teeth, and other things prophesied to take place in 1925 and shortly thereafter, did not occur. The angels, if responsible for this, were lying spirits by definition.
The Golden Age printed two news items that stated that “demons” had been recently telling the spiritist Conan Doyle that 1925 was to witness events paving the way for the Millennium. They said that demons apparently have advance warning of what is about to happen, thus they apparently believed these particular demons were “honest”. Rutherford said he made an “ass” of himself over the failure of his 1925 prophecy. [19] If his claims were true that the information he published concerning 1925 came from angels, the angels made an “ass” of Rutherford which further identifies the nature of these angels. They are the same or similar to the “demons” the Society said communicated the same message to Conan Doyle through mediums.
Read more:
http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/rutherford_spirit_meduim.htm
Readers who can confirm source material, or add further information, please post.
I personally have been aware of ALWAYS being bewildered when I’ve had to read about this stuff! I’ve never really been able to care about it all that much-I do find special things in the bible that have changed my life. But the loyalty I once felt to the org. that helped me get into my bible is so fading…I am returning to my youthful belief that EVERY org. becomes corrupt due to imperfection, so it’s unwise to belong to them. I guess the discreet servant in the bible is like someone who takes good care of their responsibilities. I dunno : )
Hi there Eric, you make some good points, keep on. About the inherent corruption in human organizations – isn’t this just what Jesus said? Maybe look at the letter to the Hebrews from this viewpoint – the jewish christians were infected with the jewish way of thinking. Which was fixated on a visible “organization” – a nation, a temple, literal sacrifices, yada yada. And Paul writes about the men of faith – who simply served God, each one in his own way, in his own time. It’s not about temples, organizations, and all that stuff – but about developing a real, personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. Which leaves no place for an “organization”.
Keep reading your Bible. As time passes, I find myself less and less concerned with “end times” prophecy. One doesn’t need a verse by verse “explanation” of Daniel and Revelation to draw close to Jehovah. Especially when one discovers that the “explanation” is wrong, and constantly needs revising and adjusting.
Ever wonder why psalms is the largest book of the Bible, and is quoted by Jesus so frequently?
Kind regards, Frank
I’m sure you are right Erik. I guess many start off with good intensions, but then as the religion grows, it tends to lose the simple message that was so evident in the first century. These days many JWs have no idea what is now old light and what is new light. I guarantee that many don’t have a clue about all the changes that have been happening in the org.
In fact it’s true to say that ex witnesses generally know a lot more about the current state of the org many of the the rank and file.
I too am angry and bitter at over 30 yrs of waste, my mother and most of my family are still involved. The only reason I started researching is because my mother disowned me because I didn’t go to meetings anymore, most of my family are a bunch of hypocrites anyway. Are we not supposed to know these ones by their fruits? according to the “society”. I would love to see them fall to their knees these 8 men so high and mighty…I need to gain a relationship with God and Jesus! This was not taught as it should have been, I intent in gaining a relationship with the
elders (out of fear) and pleasing them and this Society!
Yes I am bitter!!!!!
Shannon I understand your pain. I would not let this bother you as you have freed yourself but at the cost of losing the ones you love. In time this group will pass and fade away so pray for your family and be there for them when they are ready for your love. If we are patient enough we will receive our due reward. By being supportive when the time arises you will prove yourself wise and a True Christian. It is only through our love that we can heal those lost ones. Let go of your pain it will only sour you and this is no help to yourself or them. Love from another fellow ex member.
Shannon, you will find many, many people who truly empathize with your pain. And we understand your anger. I believe that the best way to start healing is to “let all the poison out”. At one point I got so low, I even said some very hard things to both Jehovah and Jesus. And then i realized – they understand how we feel. And they are big enough to handle it, the way a real friend would. After all – if you can’t really talk about how you feel – what sort of relationship is it?
Maybe look at some of the Psalms. David knew what it was like to be an outcast. And see how things worked out for him.
At least you have realized the key point – it’s impossible to have a relationship with an “organization”. Even less so with one that is not honest with us.
And remember – people still trapped in the “organization” react based on fear. They are fed dark, negative, confusing things from the platform, and so they need understanding, and lots of love.
Wishing you peace, Frank
Thanks Frank for the thoughtful comments, I know that the new ones leaving this “dis” organization are all in the same “boat” emotionally. Its better than being in the “ark” the witnesses want you to board. I was wondering is Jehovah even the proper name we use? I just want some sort of new beginning point to start to pray properly. I know that if someone didn’t say my name right I would wonder why they didn’t research or find it out.
Some news from Italy that may interest readers.
Ostracism – harsh practice of systematic abuse
(by Achille AVETA – Italian freelance journalist and author. Translation by Roberto di Stefano)
To fully appreciate the [Watchtower] Movement’s leadership attitude towards its members who factually dissent from the group’s ideology, for which they are subject to disciplinary action, it is sufficient and enlightening to recall the Movement’s official publication . . . which says: “We are not living today among theocratic nations where such members of our fleshly family relationship could be exterminated for apostasy from God and his theocratic organization, as was possible and was ordered in the nation of Israel … we can take action against apostates only to a certain extent, … The law of the land and God’s law through Christ forbid us to kill apostates, even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship.” WT November 15th 1952, p.703-704
[Comment: in other words, this WT plainly admits that if it were NOT for the restraint of the Law of the Land – disfellowshipped people WOULD BE EXECUTED. This thought has been repeated many times verbally, at meetings, conventions and in private conversations.]
. . . . Disfellowshipping (i.e. expulsion) . . . . can be harmful when it is used in the way taught by Jehovah’s Witnesses. In this context, the disfellowshipping disciplinary system . . . appears as an INSTRUMENT OF POWER over its members. Resorting to the threat of ostracism implied by the disfellowshipping provision, to intimidate the members and force them to conform to a behavior in contrast with their own conscience, or exercising pressure so that they accept doctrines which, for reasons of conscience, they regard as contrary to the Bible, is a form of SPIRITUAL EXTORTION, A SPIRITUAL BLACKMAIL.
THE KEEPING OF RECORDS
. . . . Lee Waters, [who worked for the Service Department and the Governing Body offices at Brooklyn] reportedly said “We are probably the only organization keeping such private records even after the death of those concerned.”
It is, therefore, no wonder that the Danish branch of the Movement was found in 1992
by the Danish authorities to have systematically violated the privacy regulations in force in that country, keeping for decades secret archives detailing “crimes” committed by its members.
INVASION OF PRIVACY
A second case in Greece, involves a group who used to meet every Friday at [the house of former Witness] Voula Kalokerinou, to discuss the Bible . . . however, Voula noticed a car with five people on board stationed for several hours in front of his house. The same happened the following night.
[was he being paranoic? The article continues . . . ]
The following Sunday, a number of people gathered at Voula’s house to celebrate the “Lord’s Evening Meal.”
[The account goes on to detail how guests took action to prevent the escape of the people doing the spying, and the spies were arrested by the police. The matter went to court . . .]
In [his] closing speech, the the public prosecutor said “I don’t believe that there is one single Christian organization that teaches its members to lie, [as the defendant and his organization have done]. They have used special video recording equipment and have been caught in fragrante delicto by some eyewitnesses while shooting the video, but they insist that they were not spying . . . All of this does not honor neither the defendants nor the organization they represent.”
“We are all free to associate with the organization of our choice but we are also free to abandon it and to act as it pleases us within the limit of the law … Does the fact that someone leaves and abandons this organization give a person the right to spy on him? The law forbids the use of any recording equipment, from simple sound recorders to video recorders, to poke one’s nose into the life and habits of another person. Our private life can in no way be subject to any type of control, and this is also true for our personal convictions. It is a very serious matter.”
Instead, the defendants have been found using video recording equipment and this, not by chance. The Watchtower [organization], . . . teaching that salvation can be found only by joining it, as God’s channel, creates in its members a state of dependency, which forces them to behave in ways which represent a threat to human rights.”
The court case ended with a guilty verdict
Read complete article:
http://www.testimoni-di-geova.info/spip.php?article124
Hullo Shannon, good to hear from you. In some ways, each day is like a new beginning, and I think you are doing the very best thing by approaching the situation positively. Some suggestions:
First of all, get back to basics. The essential message of the Bible is that God sees and deals with people as individuals. Under the Christian arrangement there is no such thing as “national” or “group” salvation. God rewards each one according to his / her own merits.
That being so, the importance of living with love cannot be over-emphasized. 1 Cor 13: 1 – 13. As you will notice, Paul mentions that “knowledge” without love, is meaningless. Same applies to “works”.
One of the residual problems of any long-term association with the WT Society is that:
1) it has an obsession with knowledge.
2) it has an obsession with itself.
The 1st obsession has got it into all sorts of difficulties – it has never been happy to wait for God to reveal things in His own due time. Hence all the failed predictions.
The 2nd obsession helps one understand why the WT Society reacts so aggressively when its flaws and mistakes are exposed.
I mention these, because they are WT controlled ways of thinking that you will want to break free from. For example, you ask about the pronunciation of God’s Name. In this country alone, there are more than a dozen languages spoken – and each one has its own way of pronouncing “Jehovah”. So – do you think God is overly worried by our pronunciation? Would He not be far more interested in our heart condition?
And, since you indicate you want to draw close to Him – do you think He will break His promise to draw close to YOU?
The second thing you will want to do is really get to know Jesus Christ. For many decades the WT Society was not even considered to be a Christian religion. They brought out the “Greatest Man” book in a belated attempt to change that perception. But – for most witnesses, Jesus is far less real than the Organization. So, maybe think of reading the Gospels. Concentrate on the passages that describe how Jesus treated people. Here are two suggestions to start: Luke 7:36 – 50 and Luke 18: 9 – 14
If you’d like to chat further, you are welcome to email me at streemz (at) gmail (dot) com, rather than clog up Cedar’s website with a personal discussion. All the best, Frank
I am a former JW of more than 20 years. I quietly left the organization (disassociation) because I have witnessed “the organization” taking on a life of it’s own, making claims of itself, teaching what Jesus did not teach, usurping a role that belongs only to Christ, and a host of other things. My departure was not as a disgruntled one, but a concerned one.
The Most High God has NOT appointed a Faithful and Discreet Slave as the time is “not proper.” The “proper time” for this appointment will come at the end of Christs 1000 reign over the earth and Satan is un-Abyssed. (Rev 20:7-8)
No organization of men can make this claim. Too, does it seem reasonable to anyone that Jehovah God – who is impartial – would appoint a Faithful and Discreet Slave consisting of ALL White men? (Samuel Herd is a relatively recent addition). Have we lost all reason? (Acts 10:34-35)
This should awaken sincere disciples of Christ that our attachment is to be to him (the person) and not to humans and human agencies. (John 8:31-32)
It should also prompt us to obey Jehovah God as He has told us exactly who we are to listen to. Yet, many insist on listening to men and organizations. Jehovah has commanded us to listen to His son. (Luke 9:35)
Yet, human and human agency has stepped in between us and The Most High (blocking) and preventing many from listening to the Christ; they instead make men and women listen to them.
Now human agency makes the lofty claim that “it” is The Faithful and Discreet Slave. It is a “self-appointment.” Jehovah did not make this appointment and neither should any who are disciples of Christ listen to this.
Only those in future days who will serve as kings with Christ in his kingdom of 1000 years will receive the appointment as Faithful and Discreet Slaves. Those men will be on earth NOT in heaven. They are of the first resurrection. Christ the King will rule out of heaven, but the 144,000 Faithful and Discreet Slave will be his “visible” representatives on earth administering his kingdom with the authority he will give them.
The time period AFTER that 1000 year kingdom of Christ ends will be that “Proper Time.” That is when we will need to be
There is no Faithful and Discreet Slave Today.
May I remind some of you: You we NOT to be students of “the Bible”, but a students (disciples) of Christ. He is our ONLY Teacher and it is for that reason that we are to listen ONLY to him (not organizations of men). (John 8:31-32; Luke 9:35)
As long as many continue to listen to and follow after men and their organizations, they will continue not to be led in the right direction (a misleading). Listen to the one Jehovah sent as He directed us to, and not listen to human agency and their organizations); Jehovah commanded that we listen to His son.
Response to Jerome Harris comments:
Jerome; I appreciate your thinking, it echoes a number of points brought out in an interesting article about the” freedom” Jesus referred to at Jo 8:32, recently posted by me.
John ben Wilhelm
Excerpt from an article on biblical “FREEDOM” found at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/121016307
When we look at the religious system in place in our day, we see a sharp distinction from the legacy of freedoms Jesus Christ left his congregation of followers. Instead of the simple straight forward principals of faith and love guiding people, based on the truths contained in his father’s word, the Bible, once again we find volumes upon volumes of commentary, conclusions arrived at, and laws and restrictions added by men who claim to represent God when in reality they primarily represent either their own interests or the interests of others than Jehovah, the almighty God.
While the first century congregations were simple assemblies, often consisting of just a few believers who nonetheless had the promised presence of Christ in their midst (Mat. 18:20), today’s congregations (churches) consist of hundreds and often thousands of so called believers who follow whole hierarchies of men placed in positions of power over them. The lessons of ancient Israel where it was shown that a human king was only a concession granted his people to show them the failures of human rule is totally lost on them. Words of Christ to the effect that he was to be their only leader and that salvation could be realized only through him are either ignored or woven into a falsified version that includes placing men between Jesus and his sheep.
Today, this is true to such great extent that religious institutions and their human directors have become objects of worship in themselves. That this by itself constitutes gross idolatry in God’s eyes is lost on their gullible flocks. The means by which all this is accomplished is essentially through a manipulation of truth, resulting in a form of mental slavery, slavery to the wishes of those who assert themselves as saviors over a flock that belongs to Jesus Christ and not to themselves.
There is also an interesting article about governments and institutions under men and what the Bible reallysays about them at ;
http://www.scribd.com/doc/107497870
This is taken directly from the http://www.jw.org website.
———————————————————
“Who Really Is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?”
Jesus was referring, not to an individual, but to a composite “slave”—a group working together as one body. Jesus said that the slave (1) is appointed to a supervisory role “over [the master’s] domestics” and (2) gives the domestics spiritual “food at the proper time.”
From 1919 on, there has always been a small group of anointed Christians at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They have supervised our worldwide preaching work and have been directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food. In recent years, that group has been closely identified with the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The evidence points to the following conclusion: “The faithful and discreet slave” was appointed over Jesus’ domestics in 1919. That slave is the small, composite group of anointed brothers serving at world headquarters during Christ’s presence who are directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food. When this group work together as the Governing Body, they act as “the faithful and discreet slave.”
What Are Jesus’ “Belongings”?
Jesus said: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.” (Matthew 28:18) Jesus’ “belongings” thus include more than just his earthly interests. They include the Messianic Kingdom.—Philippians 2:9-11.
Consequently, Jesus will reward “the faithful and discreet slave” by resurrecting the individual members of that group to heavenly life and by giving them royal authority over all Christ’s belongings in heaven and on earth. This is the same reward promised to all faithful anointed Christians.—Luke 22:28-30; Revelation 20:6.
http://www.jw.org/en/news/events-activities/annual-meeting-report-2012/
———————————————————
So according to the Governing Body, in 1919, Jesus appointed the Governing Body as the Faithful and Discreet Slave (FDS) and gave them authority over the ‘domestics’ to give them their food at the proper time. According to the “new light,” there have only been about 30 men who have served as part of the FDS since 1919 because this was not an appointment for all anointed Christians, just the small group serving at headquarters.
However, the reward for properly feeding the domestics is that they would be given royal authority over all Christ’s belongings in heaven and on earth. They also say that “this is the same reward promised to all faithful anointed Christians.”
Here are some interesting questions about that new light:
1) But why are all faithful anointed Christians given the reward when only a handful of them serving on the Governing Body actually did the faithful and discreet work?
2) And since the Governing Body does not seek the input of the remaining anointed Christians, and since the remaining anointed ones have no say in what food is served, how can they be included in that promise and be rewarded for doing something they did not and could not do?
3) Why are they rewarded for the work of others?
4) How can anyone be rewarded as a FDS and yet not be one?”
Beenmislead, these are all good questions. Here’s another one- does the WT still teach that a GB existed in the 1st century? The F&DS apparently IS the GB, which was appointed in 1919, nearly 1900 years later.
Regardless of how many times the WT changes it’s view of the fds, it just does not register because of brainwashing. How can it be so difficult to see what is so simple? Only God can change the heart, and there lies the problem: loyalty to an organization beyond reason or Scripture, more than loyalty to Christ. It reminds me of socialistic and communistic tactics. No matter how a communist country fell apart, no matter how much supression there was, people would go on supporting it, and also because you can be killed (disfellowshipped!) otherwise. I also believe that there are those in the leadership of JW’s that secretly know that what is being taught is ludicrous. Again, fear restrains many from saying what they really believe. Sad. May the Lord have mercy on these lost souls!
Good writing. Nice food for thought as they say. Cedars it would be nice if we had a views counter for this just to get an idea of how many are reading this.
I suspect the behaivor and teaching of these delusional men running this corporation is bound to have a exiting effect causeing many to forsake the Cororation, so a view count would be nice to see what is happening in this respect.
A good place to go for discussion with JWs is the Jehovah’s Witness Topix forum. Both sides regularly say their bit and obviously a person can make up their own mind who is right.
Hello everybody,
I’d like to point out that in:
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2009443
you can clearly read at the end of the page:
“Today, the Governing Body represents the faithful and discreet slave class. There was a similar arrangement in the first century”
Mr Cedars is stating that now the GB consider himself as the F&DS, but based on w09 6/15 pp. 20-24 I think this statement is false, because in 2009 they were already saying this.
Any critics are welcome.
Regards.
Hi,
looks like nobody replied to my message. I guess I was right then.
David, they said they represent the FADS, they did not say in 2009 they they were the slave. They are two totally different things. Representing someone or an organisation is not the same as being that person or organisation.
Thanks for clarify alanv; english is not my first language so bear with me.
Well, then all this new light is outrageous. :-/ It looks like the GB was able to create an environment similar to that described in 1984 book by Orwell!
Who then really is the faithful and discreet slave…May God have mercy on them who claimed falsely and lead many astray. With what is presently known the GB is not and never was this faithful and discreet slave…interestingly God’s own words point us in the right direction…at Matthew 24:45-47 this slave is GIVING FOOD at the proper time..so if we can find God’s appointed servant with the God’s appointed food, we will then surely find the FAITHFUL and discreet slave.
First what is God’s given food? Deut. 8:3 defines it clearly and many many more verses say the same. God’s word is food.
Then to whom did God entrusted His Word? Romans 3:2 clearly states this. “Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.” It is the JEWS.
Therefore the faithful and discreet slave is defined by God’s own words as the JEWS. By having commissioned them to write God’s word God made them OUR FAITHFUL AND DISCREET slave…The writers are the faithful and discreet slave….let it be crystal clear.
Now the next question that can be asked is WILL THEY BE ALL?
I am hoping to make a full discourse about this matter and post it on a publicly accessible medium later. Till then have a good day people. Thanks for reading – ed
Poor all of you. JW are doing very well more and more… THey have God apporoval and you are just watching them progressing improving and becoming many. You will go nowhere.
Have you actually checked the service report lately. Witnesses are doing more and more hours for less and less results. Europe has barely increased at all. The society continue to change their doctrines as soon as they realize they have got it wrong yet again.
They have never interpreted any scripture correctly when dealing with anything in the future. They have sex abuse scandles going through the courts and they have already paid out millions in compensation because of their bad policies.
If you feel that is all good I feel very sorry for you.
the faithful and deskreet slave WILL BE thouse of the 144 000 that concer : jw’s is the true christians BUT they become like old Israel: have you ever notised WHO are invited to the wedding feast ? the once on the road ; LEAVING Jerusalem ..the great tribulation is NOW: it’s about 2 groups of jw’s ; those who follow christ and those who follow the organization ..The judgement comes upon them FIRST calling themselves with God’s name True christians : matt 28:19 (baptized in who’s name) isa 66:5 (excluded/disfellowshipped in who’s name) (also see WHO they exclude)
Sky rainbow. Do you have evidence that there are more child molesters in apostate groups? I think not. If your sole aim is to insult us, then you have failed. You have no argument. You have no evidence. You have no relevance. You have no moral standing.
If you have genuine issues to raise, then please do so. We have not insulted you. We want to discuss evidence and policy. We would like to have a genuine discussion.
I hope that you will provide us with your questions.
FREDHALL, are you still around? Is PB anywhere to be found? If so, direct him here please. Much oblige sir. And I hope you’ve been well over the years.
~skally~
Weird. This post went through immediately after I submitted it. Yet, the two I posted earlier today another thread, has not.
What gives?
You right!!! All this is allowed to happened by Jehovah our almighty creator in order to start finding the true hearted crowd. So yes the Governing Body is Satan and his Demons sister. Armagedon is not coming yet as they have falsely claimed…But he great tribulation will be the start of the destruction of this fake brothers…Patience and see how Jehovah humiliate them…Till then we should stay away form their teachings till Jehovah sees fit to bring the right teaching…it wont happened yet not until the JW organization is destroyed
Can Jehovah’s Witnesses, especially their leadership, be defeated in a way we may not have thought of? What about praying for their salvation? That God would grant the gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord, Savior and God? This is how I pray for their defeat. This is how we can pray for the defeat of the enemies of the gospel whoever they are. Remember Saul of Tarsus? What an enemy to Christians he was! How was he defeated? Jesus revealed Himself to him, and this hater of Christians became the greatest Apostle and witness to Christ, Paul! Please pray for the salvation of the governing body and leaders as well as all of Jehovah’s Witnesses! This is the greatest defeat that leads to salvation!
Ernie,
I am sure that those who still believe in God do pray for the GB.
I would prefer to use the “superior authorities” to remove these criminals from power.
I agree with you. It would be far more preferable for the GB to realise their errors and repent. I would love to see that too.
In the meantime, we are all united in our defiance of their unChristian and immoral rules.
Peace be with you
Excelsior!
Thanks George. I continue praying and may the Lord have mercy on these lost souls. May He release more of those who are ‘captives’ – Luke 4:18
It just goes to show how the GB are moving the goal post’s, I take it that Charles Taze Russell’s role now has little important’s now and it was hinself that started this crazy cult !!!!!
The “””faithful””” slave class forgot something.. God said that if someone says something(claiming to be Him) and it does not come true then it was not him who spoke.(Jer 14:14) This happenes often . So what does that really make the GB !(John 8:44)
Okay, let me see if I got this straight; it used to be that the 144,000 would be appointed over the “domestics,” meaning those people on earth, and would be judges with Jesus.
Now I’m understanding that only the governing body and a few other men in charge before them are the ones who will be co-rulers and judges, and the “domestics” now include the rest of the 144,000, who will be ruled over by that small group. (Sorry if I can’t keep this straight but they should have included a PowerPoint or flow chart of some sort).
My thought is, the 144,000 would include women, but the governing body would not. Co-rulers with Jesus at one time would have included those who served as women on earth, but now I’m understanding that no one that was ever a woman will have any ruling or judging power, ever. How can a group of all men give proper judgement to those who lived as women, under the suffocating headship arrangement and the misogyny of the organization? We’ve already seen domestic violence everywhere and their double standards applied to women when it comes to “discerning” if they’ve actually been raped without needing two witnesses and the disfellowshipping of rape victims; this will be carried over into the new system? I’d rather be dead.
It appears that the JW’s organization has aligned itself in a form or governance that mirrors that of the Roman Catholic church! How sad!
I have believed for some time that the gb is like the Pope in power over people. They are just worse now than when I was at Bethel (1958-61) and left JW’s in 1979. I knew at the age of 18 when I could see the loony tunes there that something was drastically wrong. It took awhile for the Lord to lead me out of the cult to Christ, but, it was worth the wait and the trials! If you want to see a similiar system of control, just read about the dictatorship of Kim in North Korea. I highly recommend a book by Christians who survived WW2, the Korean War and Kim entitled “These Are the Generations”. (Voice of the Martyrs) This nation has spies everywhere. Just like in the JW’s where if I said anything off the plantation, it was reported. Communism is like this. Control is the ultimate goal of any system like Communism or cults. What can we do? PRAY for the ‘release of the prisoners’ for which Jesus came! He is the only One who can break the shackles of blindness to salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. Luke 4:18