#4 - They Took no Note! Mt 24; 38,39.

Previously I pointed to prophecy and references that indicate that, the Apostasy, was a real threat to the congregation of Jehovah’s witnesses.

This time I will list off, just some of the changes that took place, right under the noses of the congregation of J.W.s, which to the best of my knowledge was either ignored or simply unnoticed.

To be clear, I do not judge any man, all “must carry their own load”. These men by their own actions and in line with knowledge, judge themselves with the words from their own mouths.

Of course I too am not perfect and have fallen short at times also. But I will discuss this another time.

Being a ministerial servant, (an appointed man and assistant to the Elders with congregational duties), for a number of years, I was in a better position than most to see what was taking place.

Also; due to the environment in which I grew up in, it was necessary for my mother to train my siblings and I to be on the watch for threats. Paedophile’s, snakes and other threats in general.

Also, maybe in part due to having older relatives who felt it was fun to try to get a response by practical jokes etc., I learned to slowly process information and not react quickly. Mostly however I’m sure it was due to God allowing me to see these things.

IT BEGINS

In the prophecy regarding Christ’s presence etc., he mentioned earth quakes and natural disaster.

Many believe that was meant to mean literal events. However for me it was the events taking place within the truth. (That is what witnesses call the form of worship they endeavour to follow), I suppose it’s similar to Islam’s meaning, which I believe means “the way”.

Events began to take place, one after the other, in the physical, spiritual food coming from The Faithful Slave. That is, The Governing Body of Jehovah’s witnesses, Mt 24; 38,39.

Earthquakes and natural disasters

I first noticed things like, the brothers would send page replacements. To “update” the written text in publications. Such as the book, Revelation it's Grand Climax, which is an explanation of the prophesies within the book of Revelations or the Apocalypse. Which literally means, “Exposed or discovered”.

I questioned an elder about this. He replied: “as spiritual knowledge changes, they update it”. That sounds logical, but this repeatedly happened.

Question; I had only been associated with the witnesses since the 1990s. Had that ever been necessary before? To me that sounded odd. That a peoples, led by Holy Spirit, would need to change, multiple times in some instances, something that God inspired by Holy Spirit.

The result from the congregation. They took no note! They gladly accepted the changes.

Then before long. Like a changing world power or government, they began to dismantle the spiritual food that still existed in the congregations from the old “faithful slave”, that is, the men that they had been replacing as they fell asleep in death.

For example; they said the song book had 2 songs in which they were difficult to follow the melody. and so on. So; they, instead of adjusting the 2 songs. Their inclination was the replacing of the entire publication with an updated version. Removing some much loved songs that generations adored and inserting many new ones.

Going from a hard cover to a paperback version. Many of the new song had questionable lyrics.

One I found almost offensive.

It was the one directed to our elderly servants. “Beauty in grey headedness.” I’m sure the intent was to celebrate these ones. But it seems to be a reminder. Line after line, “you’re old!” “You are not what you were!” “Your loved one has died!” etc. Reminders, I’m sure, they really didn’t need.

They saw 2 small issues and that was the excuse they needed to change it. An excuse they would use again later. Again, the congregations “Took no note”!

Then the order came down to do a full, out of season, stocktake of the literature cupboard, world-wide. And before long we received instructions. "Any old books, brochures and a little later tracts (leaflets) were to be distributed, Gotten rid of. Either to people we were doing a free home Bible study with or in letter boxes when householder’s were not at home, while doing the preaching from door to door", or taken home for our personal libraries.

These publications were a flood of information on Bible truths. And in particular the tracts were a Bible study in themselves. They were a scriptural smorgasbord, delving into all sorts of topics and encouraging the student to "dig down deep", Luke 6:47-49, into Gods thinking, to get his thoughts on a subject and build up their faith and own personal spiritual relationship with him, to build their “house on the rock mass”. Not “on the sand”. Matthew 5: 15-27. Which I encourage you to look up. Still, this directive came down from the governing body, so, it was accepted.

Again I asked a brother; “why are we getting rid of all this spiritual food”? “It’s out of date!” was the reply. How can something from the faithful slave, from our God, through his Son, Holy Spirit and Kingdom arrangement be out of date?

Again, within the congregations worldwide, “They took no note”. A natural disaster!

This is a selection of tracts, (leaflets) that were full of Bible truths and God's thoughts and promises on topics of concern. jam packed with scriptural truths and absolutely none of mans teachings.

A collection of just some of the tracts used to help Bible students.

Then they started on the watchtower and awake (formerly Consolation) publications; yet another earthquake.

A very informative tool, magazines used since the late 1800s. Promoting God's Kingdom and Fulfilled Bible prophecy and exposing world events.

• They first stopped one being bi-monthly.

• Then they stopped making the study edition, being made available to the public.

Effectively creating a secret society. Something truly odd. For J.W.s. had always been conscious of being fully open to all. What was available to the congregations was almost always fully accessible to the public. The "only" way anyone outside the congregation could get a copy of this 'study Watchtower magazine' was by attending meetings. Not even people who were being taught Bible truths in a 'Home Bible Study' could get them. (Prior to being on line, i think)

• Then they shrunk them, eventually leaning and moving towards an online platform.

Reducing them down by page numbers to the current magazines, almost in size to the 'throw away' leaflets that they produce today, and so on.

• Many articles were simply recycled from previous magazines and altered to taste like something else.

And yet again, “they took no note.” The congregations just accepted it and moved on.

Another earthquake!

They didn’t stop there,

• they changed the kingdom news.

Usually a special informative spiritual banquet and delivered from house to house and to Bible studies (students). It turned into a pitiful leaflet, and invitations to conventions and or special meetings.

These were no longer handed personally, or "door to door" to people in the field. It became an impersonal letter box drop, or slipped under the door.

Even recently, in our area, an invitation to Christ’ memorial was a letter in the mail. No personal attention given to the community. Apparently, partially helped along by the current pandemic, so now letters are the norm. Personal attention is now history. “Nobody took any note”, yet Again.

These were just some of the structural changes within the physical publications, within the spiritual food being made available through the congregations.

Some knew

All the while the mechanism and structure that had begun with the Bible Students of the 1800s, that had led to the modern day movement, with its array of publications, which had God’s blessing, the current “faithful slave”, was dismantling. Although not totally un-noticed. At least a couple of the Brothers who loved Jehovah were still hovering. A Brother Barr and a Brother Jaracz. were still on the Governing Body for a bit. I think that’s how their names were spelt, I apologise my brothers, if it’s incorrect.

Like Paul, they, I’m sure, were aware of what was going on. Brother Barr made a comment, I think in the back of an awake magazine. “I don’t make decisions any more, but I still make the coffee!” he said. A curious statement at the time and more so now. It reads as though he was saying. “I see what they are doing, I and the other genuine Brothers have no responsibility for the decisions they are making”. Effectively washing their hand of guilt. There may well have been other faithful men around at this time as well. Exactly the same scenario as in the first century.

I believe brother Jaracz is bottom right and Brother Barr is immediately to his left. If any others were aware of the impending Apostasy, I do not know, it is very possible.

Jesus knows.

Scriptural Changes

Now is when they really started to work against the Holy Spirit and undermining the standing of the congregation before God.

• They changed the 'blood card' so that it was now, “optional”.

This has been an absolute must for J.W.s towards the later half of the 1900s.

Although difficult for people on the outside to comprehend. Nevertheless, a standard for all.

This in utter disregard for Paul’s warning to “flee from idols and abstain from blood”, Acts 15:20. Effectively making a Bible command, optional.

Disastrous. But again “they took no note”. Yet another disaster, like a disease.

They instructed millions of people from all over the world to spend countless hours and expense to

• procure an “enduring guardian”. A designated person to speak on your behalf medically.

Their reasoning, “A man was in a position (in hospital) where he could not make decisions for himself, others did it for him and didn’t consider Bible principles in his care”.

Question; If this man was already known to the hospital or health workers, that he was a Jehovah’s Witness, then they would know his stand? If others intervened and effectively bypassed his wishes, how does that make him responsible? An enduring guardian could do the same!

Why did this make me uncomfortable?

Not only due to this argument but, “Jehovah has always been my enduring guardian, whether I live or die”.

What did everyone do? They did it, they followed the direction. They took no note!

These were just some of the changes that were quickly adopted. As for spiritual changes, they too were; “natural disasters” and “earthquakes in one place after another”. Over a gradual period, things began to stink.

• The odd twisting of a scripture.

• The outright miss application of scriptural truths.

• Teaching man’s thoughts as Gods.

• Then disrespect for Jehovah his Son and Holy Spirit.

The man of lawlessness began to raise his head. I would run through my house to my room crying out to my God when I read the rubbish they were printing.

What could I do? I had to stay; to see with my own eyes, the “disgusting thing standing where it ought not.” I could serve alongside liars and hypocrites, which I will discuss later, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to serve among blasphemers.

I would often try to nudge the watchtower study, “the information considered world-wide at the main meeting once a week”. Either with my answering or by questioning, to try to get the congregation to go home without being turned to the right or to the left. Deuteronomy 5:32.

Sometimes a person would pick up on the thread and run with it, not always.

Irrefutable proof!

• Then, as time went by, parts on assembly programs would be deviating from the “healthful” teachings Titus 2:1. Till finally, at a district assembly, a part was clearly unacceptable. It was the drama on Joseph, Son of Israel, who was formerly Jacob.

a similar drama, a regular at conventions In it,

• They twisted scripture.

• Taught things not in the Bible.

• Even cracked jokes about raping women.

Saying “next time you rape someone, make sure it’s not Potiphar’s wife!”. Or something to that effect. To my surprise, more than a few laughed.

As there was irrefutable proof that the organisation had begun to Apostasies. I took my concerns to the Elders, in letter form. So, they could not miss its meaning and my concern and I could communicate effectively; they read it.

One sat with me at his home regarding it. He did not refer to any points raised within it.

He only wanted to know if I was ok spiritually. “Of course I replied. I simply have concerns about the information.

” He and the other Elders did not disagreed with the things I had written, Nor did they question me further and, yet again, “They took no note”.

The only thing for me to do, within the scope of my spiritual responsibility, was to get a similar letter to the circuit overseer.

He is the man who goes from congregation to congregation, in a particular, area to ensure the spirituality of each group. Similar to the Work Paul did. He then answers to the District Overseer, who in turn answers to the Regional Overseer in our area on the globe and then to the Governing Body. Something like that.

He was in a different area, so I passed my concerns, in a letter, to a young brother who would see him soon to get it to him, prior to his next visit to our congregational hall.

The result, when he arrived. We were calling on inactive ones, (individuals who for whatever reason were no longer attending the meetings etc). He questioned me about the letter, yet again, not the content or its accuracy, but again; if I was ok spiritually.

“I’m fine, I’m not the one with the problem”.

He too, did not counsel me about its content. Did he take any note?

I don’t know if it was passed on up the chain, but he, on the weekend, used a point I raised in his talk. Indicating to me he likely agreed, but couldn’t or wouldn't say it. The point raised?

They said in the drama that;

• Joseph, when imprisoned bin Egypt, had lost faith in Jehovah.

Which to my understanding is not scriptural. There was a very good reason the “Governing Body" had lied regarding his (Joseph’s) faith. Which became apparent in time. Nothing ever came back to me about the things written. I assume “they took no note”.

I asked the overseer, did anyone else out of the 10,000 people there have a problem with the part. No! He replied, obviously “They took no note”!

Fed by the hands of a few!

To finish this section I will give you one magazine to reference, full of blasphemy and totally fulfilling the prophecy, 2 timothy 3:1 – 13. I will not print it due to it being so bad, and also being upsetting to me. If you are inclined to look it up, although I don’t recommend it. It’s the watchtower study edition July 15 2013 page 15, Feeding Many Through the Hands of a Few. In it they, “the man of lawlessness”, the “lovers of themselves”, the “betrayers” and blasphemers. Discuss how; if my memory is correct, for I won’t read it, that they are the givers of spiritual of information, we must listen to them as they are our helper. Absolutely no credit was given to the spiritual channel, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. And yet again, "they took no note".

Using the accounts of the loaves and fishes, when Jesus, by Holy Spirit fed 1000s and the disciples simply handed the food out. Matthew 14:14-22. They ignore the fact that Jesus disciples didn’t feed the crowd, heal them or instruct them, the Lord Jesus by Holy Spirit did.

Using these occasions, Jesus warned about teachings of spiritual leaders, saying Mt 16:6, "watch out", to them (Those in the lead) and in turn Us (those hearing). Yet; they claim that “all things received today is from them and through them”, hypocrites, and blasphemers.

All disciples of our lord Jesus are supposed to be good for nothing slaves, not thinking more of themselves than is necessary, stars in the palm of The Warrior King through whom all things come, by means of Gods Holy Spirit. Luke 17:10, Revelation 1:16.

• Thus blaspheming not only Jehovah and the Christ but also the Holy Spirit. Mark 3: 28, 29. An unforgivable offence.

The Governing body is above judgement?

Then to offend the living God further they, after giving a backhand to the Pope for doing his job, about photo opportunities etc.

Then they had one of the so called, “Anointed”, “Faithful Slave”,

• displaying his "Humility" for all to see in his own photo op.

But that’s not the end.

On page 24 which I will encourage you to read, it states that the warning given at Mathew 24:48-51 regarding disciplinary action,

• if the slave proves unfaithful, is hypothetical.
  

Well then; that’s a relief! That means we can disregard all counsel as hypothetical. I am of course being sarcastic.

This is a copy of the article.

There is so much pain I have felt in my heart and longing for Jehovah’s name to be vindicated. In due time, in due time.

1 Kings 18:10, 14. Like Elijah “I have been jealous for the name of Jehovah”.

Notice even that, Jehovah’s name needs to be vindicated, held holy, sanctified. Who is the only religion or organisation to called by that name, and so do those who are taking the lead in the origination?

Who then, really, can do the most harm to it?

Next time I will discuss the more of the sins that the governing body have committed.

Which I also find distressing, but leads up to "the disgusting thing standing where it ought not."

Thanks again for your patience. May the path forward become flat and smooth for you?

man in expectation. :)

The mash-up! "You must love Jehovah your God, with your whole Heart, Mind, Soul and Strength and keep His Commandments. If you do, you will be wise enough to bypass any trial with ease, and have an indefinitely lasting name with The Living One. Those who fail to take these things to heart, will suffer shame and fall short in a large way, all that is his, will be destroyed and cease to exist.

You who love Him, however, will flourish with joy, under the tent cloths of Jehovah, always." Ecc 12:13, Mark 12:30 and Ps 37:18-20.