Posted by followthelamb on March 21, 1999 at 19:27:25 {MWQywdXEnupLA}:
In Reply to: C'mon elders - answer posted by CWD on March 21, 1999 at 09:49:12:
That text is crystal clear in saying that all who have faith in the Son receives adoption as sons and "if, then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs wih Christ, provided we suffer together that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:17)
I am 34 years old now and when I was 18 I was already a serious student of the Scriptures after learning the "Truth". I had a strong feeling that I was also one of the "anointed", but the organization emphasizes how the number has been already filled and that anyone so young wouldn't be of the anointed class today. That totally paralyzed and suppressed all ideas of me having the heavenly calling. But after progressing to where I am today and learning (and unlearning) all the things that I know now, I realized that all along I was just feeling what would come naturally after having faith. That text just mentioned (1John 5:1) along with Romans 8:16, very much sank in. The organization truly gives our Lord Jesus a token place in our lives. That is why many Witnesses (if not all) feel so empty inside in spite of all the hours they dedicate. Always wondering if they're doing enough or always second-guessing Jehovah's approval of them. That's nothing but a camouflaged "salvation by works" mentality. But when they look at an "anointed" brother, they have this awe about them, thinking that they are "saved". But at the same time always wondering how it feels to be like them, having their "salvation" practically guaranteed. But the fact is, the Scriptures give all of us that assurance when we exercise faith in His dear Son. An assurance that can never be felt with the organization telling you that Jesus is not your mediator. Or that you're "declared righteous", not as "sons", but as "friends". Makes you feel like second-class citizens. Expecting to be separated as "sheep" but still has to pass the "final test" after the Millenium. These abusive, faith destroying ideas can't make anyone feel "saved in this hope." (Romans 8:24) This is a result of too much Watchtower reading and little Bible reading. If there is any Bible reading it's always through the Watchtower filter. I should know, I'm the P.O. and the Watchtower conductor. The idea that the organization has of the "great crowd" is not at all Scriptural nor is it faith-inspiring.
John
17:3 is a text well known by all Witnesses. But the text according to the NWT says "their taking in knowledge." In what way does that rendering give the idea of an intimate relationship? It surely doesn't to me. It sounds more like
reading a book, of course if you have in mind all the books that the Society needs to sell. The original Greek gives the idea of "knowing". This would truly convey an intimate relationship. A closely related Greek word is used in the
Septuagint in Genesis 4:17 where it says that "Cain had intercourse with ["knew"] his wife." The idea conveys a truly intimate relationship, a relationship that is not brought out in "taking in knowledge of you." It's a shame that the
Society is like the pharisees that "shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men" (Matthew 23:13) claiming that only they are of the "anointed". But they as teachers "shall receive heavier judgment." (James 3:1) While we "let the dead
bury their dead", let us all "follow the Lamb no matter where he goes" (Rev 14:4).