Posted by Zeke [Zeke4Truth] on November 29, 1999 at 22:15:16 {DGglKT6Uj2Qd6.0xyhd2VQ7kkCoKq6}:
In Reply to: *To Practicus, Friend, JWs posted by Alan on November 29, 1999 at 08:29:56:
Hello again Alan:
: Christendom never was in the new covenant. They are the weeds that infested the wheat.
I'm not sure I remember the WTS explaining matters quite that way. But I do appreciate your comments on this timely subject.
Here's the way I remember the "Wheat/Weeds" illustration explained by the WTS.
WHEAT & WEEDS DRAMA: Matt. 13:24-30; 36-43.
First, Jesus sowed the "fine seed," the "wheat," the "sons of the kingdom," the "Anointed" sons of God. This is explained to be the first century congregation, from its infancy down till about the middle of the 4th century. Then, much later, the Devil sows the "weeds."
When this occurs, the "reapers"/observers become alarmed at seeing the "weeds" springing up right among the "wheat." But the "reapers" are told by the "Sower" of the "fine seed," Jesus, that he would allow the "wheat", the "sons of the kingdom" [baptized, anointed christians] and the "weeds" [wicked christians] to GROW TOGETHER in the SAME "field," that is the "world." And, at "Harvest" time, the "conclusion of the system of things," he would do the "separating", of the "Wheat" and the "weeds." But until Jesus did the "separating," they would have to EXIST TOGETHER.
We recall, the mention of "Harvest" time, hence the "conclusion of the system of things." The WTS has taught, and currently teaches this time "Harvest" time period to get its start around the year of 1914. (C.T. Russell believed it ran from 1874 till 1914. A 40 year differential.) That's when the "separation" was to have started, or shortly thereafter.
So, Jesus, allowed the "Wheat" and the "Weeds" to exist, together, IN CHRISTENDOM, until it was time to separate them. The "separation" and subsequent "gathering" of the "wheat" into Jehovah's "storehouse," actually came then, much later, some time after Pastor Russell, according to the WTS.
So, if the "wheat" are "anointed" christians, "sons of the kingdom," who existed and grew right in among the "weeds," right in the churches of Christendom, then how can we, as Jehovah's Witnesses, say that the churches of Christendom was not considered a bonified, recognized party of the New Covenant, in the eyes of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ? This is the place where many of the "sons of the kingdom" were anointed, long before pastor Russell's time.
We remember, these "Wheat/Weeds" conditions, as taught by the WTS, existed from the middle of the 4th century down to Pastor Russell, and even beyond.
The "Wheat", we are taught, are baptized, "anointed" christians, "sons of the kingdom," that existed long before the WTS was started as an entity. This is what the WTS teaches. So, These "sons of the kingdom," were all, unavoidably baptized in the churches of Christendom, and served God right among the "weeds," for hundreds of years, for Jesus said, "let them grow together, until I separate them." [gist]
Therefore, how can we say that Christendom is not in the New Covenant, but only "claims" to be in such. And yet, she became the "mother" of many of the "anointed", the earthly mother, the home, the spiritual resting place, for countless professed "anointed" "wheat," "sons of the kingdom," down through the years, until the WTS was started. How can we teach such a thing?
Zeke