Posted by Gary [GLamotta] on April 02, 1999 at 08:06:36 {ppHCdFLRUMMSSTtTA17sboLUiPtahc}:
In Reply to: *Memorial questions, pls answer posted by Active JW on April 01, 1999 at 12:01:01:
Thanks for the comments.
Just some direct perspective.
Witnesses have two classes, the anointed and the other sheep. But that was prophesied at Matthew 20 (per my interpretation). That is the ones first starting the vineyard work, which is related to the anointed were promised and knew they would receive a day's wage which is the symbolic "penny". But the third through the 11th-hour workers were working for less, "whatever is fair."
That separates the first-hour workers from the rest, specifically the earliest ones from the later ones.
But in the end, everybody "gets to partake" because everybody gets the penny.
For active Jehovah's witnesses, what they should focus on is that this is a SURPRISE to the first-hour workers, the original anointed ones, who sort of murmur since they can't figure out why these new ones are also now part of the 144,000.
But God planned it that way. That is, the 3-11th workers were not told up front they were being "called" like the 1st-hour workers.
So it's sad, as you said, sort of complicated, especially for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Many of those new ones, though, are sealed secretly and therefore will not likely openly partake of the emblems.
Also of note, remember the 1st-hour workers are paid, that is "sealed" the very last. So the current anointed remnant are the ones who are last sealed.
As far as I'm concerned, that occurred at least by last night.
That's because if the 11 hours are spead out over the time period since 1914, with seven years per hour, then 77 hours would have finished in the fall of 1991.
The Messiah as the "prodigal son" did appear officially back to the father's house, that is, the Kingdom Hall, after a long absence, his first meeting being the Memorial in 1992. Then the kingdom was set up on December 26, 1992. He ate a special Passover the following Memorial in 1993.
But with a 7-year period for the 12th hour, sice he would be paying the workers gradually and would pay the 1st-hour workers last, we can imagine that perhaps it might not be until the end of that 12th hour that they are paid, but at least by that time.
Thus this Memorial in 1999 was the 7th year since the first Memorial of 1992, that is, counting full years from 1992 you have
1 - 92-93
2 - 93-94
3 - 94-95
4 - 95-96
5 - 96-97
6 - 97-98
7 - 98-99
So that hour of payment is over.
Possible significance. We have to wait and see.
Cheers, and have a nice day.
Gary