Posted by Kristin [Kristin] on April 05, 1999 at 11:14:18 {6.uz.4vynMgIYA54YD7Qoe7EI.M9QY}:
The anointed man who published the first Watchtower magazine and whom current Watchtowers refer to as in heaven helping to direct the worldwide work is none other than "Pastor" Charles Taze Russell.
Current Watchtower magazines have still referred to this man, who died over three-quarters of a century ago and buried on Watchtower Society property, as a loyal member of the faithful and discreet slave class. According to the present Governing Body, our faithful brother Charles Russell is enthroned along side of Christ and the other anointed in the Heavenly realm.
Suppose one of Jehovah's Witnesses on their deathbed because they refused a blood transfusion, wanted their grave site to be exactly like this loyal member of the faithful and discreet slave's? Assuming money is no object, suppose their final wish is to have an exact replica of a man whom the faithful and discreet slave held in the highest esteem, even allowing his grave site to remain exactly as it existed on his death until today?
Further, suppose this faithful Jehovah's Witness who is dying has some reservations about the faithful slave's interpretation on blood but is willing to have complete faith God anointed them? Then if God anointed them, they know what is best for true Christians.
Therefore, that Christian concludes the faithful slave's continuing to have the grave site of Charles Russell on Watchtower Society property, exactly as it was on his death, shows that Charles Russell has the model grave site. They proceed to make arrangements from the best grave site designer in the world to create an exact replica of Russell's grave site.
Further, they inform the Planned Giving Desk of their plans and explain these reasons. They also bequeath their entire estate valued at five billion dollars to the Society.
What would be the Society's justification for maintaining Russell's gravesite, and response to faithful Jehovah's Witnesses wanting to be buried in exact replicas of this grave site?
Would the fortune they bequeathed in the billions influence the Society's decision, or would it be based strictly on scriptural principles governing the original reasons they condoned Russell's grave site and its many symbolisms?
Let's break this down into manageable pieces for the benefit of those who are not aware that Russell's grave site is very unique, different and even "special" as one of our own elders described it.
Provide URL links to photographs of his grave site.
Some might, after seeing photos, want proof the Watchtower Society has the grave site on their property.
The Society obviously approves of the grave site or they wouldn't have it on valuable real estate owned as a result of worldwide contributions. Perhaps they would take a middle ground, and allow the wealthiest Jehovah's Witnesses willing to bequeath a fortune the right to have the same grave site designed for them?
Are there any? Share these experiences and why, if you know, these Jehovah's Witnesses felt the symbolisms on Russell's grave site would be pleasing to Jehovah's eyes?
If not appropriate, reasons from the Watchtower of why the grave site is alright for Russell but not for anybody else?
I await your detailed responses with anticipation. Because H2O is planning an exhibit in the Tower Library on Russell's grave site, we ask moderators to go easy on size restrictions for this post. (Exercise the FPP in all other respects!) We ask contributors to present facts only and save any opinions -- especially ones that are "borderline" our FPP -- for another topic. I would like to read the information presented without it getting deleted for violating our policies.
Let's get started, friends.
Kristin