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(Cont. from Page 840). 841. DANIEL 12:7-13 : (V.7) "And I heard the man robed in linen, who was above the water of the river, swear by Him who lives for ever (raising his right hand and his left hand to heaven), that it would be three years and half a year, and that when the power of him who shattered the sacred people should be over, then the end of all should arrive. (V.8) I heard this, but I did not understand it. So I asked, "O my lord, what is to be the last phase before the end?" (V.9) But he said, "Ask no more, Daniel, for the revelation is to be kept secret and close, till the crisis at the close. (V.10) Many shall purify themselves and be refined, but the evil shall do evilly; none of the evil shall understand things, it is the pious who understand. (V.11) [[Twelve hundred and ninety days shall pass, after the daily offering has been stopped and the appalling abomination has been set up]]. (V.12) [[Blessed is he who waits till he reaches the thirteen hundred and thirty-five days]]. (V.13) Go and wait for the end; you shall rest in the grave and then rise to enjoy your share at the end of the days."" (Moffatt).
"THE APPALLING ABOMINATION THEY SET UP" |
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'Reflecting on the (new) congregational arrangement providing for elders and ministerial servants, Roger Morgan was moved to say: "This is God's doing." Doubtless others will agree, since they may have considered the resulting benefits. The first shifting of responsibilities began in September 1972, and by October 1 the arrangement of things in most congregations had been adjusted. In many cases, the former assistant congregation servant became the presiding overseer, the previous congregation servant became the Theocratic Ministry School overseer, and so forth. Here was proof that Christians recognize Jehovah's rulership, his way of doing things in the congregation of his people. Each year the elders in a congregation would rotate to various positions, and they would work together as a body, having in mind the spiritual welfare of the congregation and the need to cooperate with one another in shepherding the flock of God allotted to them. -1 Pet 5:2.' (1975 Yearbook Page 250). |
CHOOSING ELDERS AND 'The governing body of Jehovah's witnesses sent each congregation an instructive letter about selecting the "body of elders" as well as ministerial servants. According to that letter of December 1, 1971, all baptized men of the congregation twenty years old and upward were considered. (See Ezra 3:8). Brothers participating in discussions concerning elders and ministerial servants prepared well, considering the articles "Theocratic Organization Amidst Democracies and Communism," "Appointed Officers in the Theocratic Organization" and "A 'Body of Elders' with Rotating Chairmanship," appearing in The Watchtower of November 15, 1971. Additionally, there was careful study of the January 1, 1972, Watchtower articles entitled "Who is Wise and Understanding Among You?" and "Appointed Elders to Shepherd the Flock of God." And, to the extent that time permitted, the brothers had read material in Aid to Bible Understanding under the headings "Older Man" "Overseer" and "Minister."' (1975 Yearbook Page 248). |
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(DANIEL 11:32) . "…by means of specious promises he shall pervert those who bring guilt upon the nation.But those who know their God shall be steadfast and take action". (Moffatt). Specious: Of good appearance, plausible, fair or right on the surface. (Oxford Dictionary). As can be seen from the above extracts of the 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, the first "Ahab" promises and 'shifting of responsibilities' began in September 1972. The "constant feature has been removed" (NWT) and "the appalling abomination has been set up". (Moffatt). And their new congregational arrangement is the appalling abomination! A partial removal of the responsibilities of anointed underpriests had begun years earlier through the treachery shown toward "brothers" having Jehovah's Spirit, denying the "nation" of His "tenth parts" and "contributions" (priestly responsibilities, spiritual discernments and scriptural teachings for the congregations). Their refusal to accept these things is now causing desolation among the people. (See Pages 830-835 on Malachi). The selection of candidates for the position of 'elder' in congregations of JWs is certainly not theocratic, as they select each other without the spiritual qualifications of an anointing by Holy Spirit from God to do so. The "little flock" of God is the 144,000 anointed men whom God trains and disciplines to be His priestly servants and elders. (1 Peter 2:9. 5:1-4). God is their overseer, not the "other sheep" that are "not of this fold" (John 10:16) or "Ahab"-type "goats". This was their doingÖ and is not of God. 5/3/78. |