John Class [Archive] - e-Jehovah's Witnesses: A Place for Jehovah's Witnesses and Interested Ones

Jeshurun

06-17-2007, 04:00 AM

I did not feel comfortable when JW use their own lingo like John Class. It makes me feel like I am second class. Is that how Jesus treats us?[/b]

Hi Joyful

If it'll make you feel any better, would you like to have a good laugh? Check out this fictitious fodder from Mount Bethel, and my counter argument. Now here's an "inspired utterance", from the Revelation climax book, now being re-implanted for the fourth time I think:

Channel of Communication

5 Revelation 1:1b, 2 continues: "And he [Jesus] sent forth his angel and presented it [Revelation] in signs through him to his slave John, who bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, even to all the things he saw." Thus, John received the inspired record through an angelic messenger. He wrote it in a scroll, transmitting it to the congregations of his time. Happily for us, God has preserved it for the encouragement of the more than 50,000 congregations of his united servants on earth today.

Preserved what? What scroll is this? The one that has the whole thing almost fulfilled already? Encouragement, yes, but how about a warning? Are we supposed to think that Jehovah's organization is going to sit down with a bag of popcorn and watch Christendom blow up? Are you kidding? As eyes&ears would say, what scroll are you looking at hmmmmmmmm?

6 God had a channel for communicating Revelation in John's day, and John was the earthly part of that channel. Likewise, God has a channel for giving spiritual nourishment to his 'slaves' today. In his great prophecy concerning the conclusion of the system of things, Jesus identified the earthly part of this channel as "the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time." (Matthew 24:3, 45-47) He uses this John class in unlocking the meaning of the prophecy.

That would be fine if he had already appointed them over all his domestics, but we need not go there.

7 The apostle John writes that Jesus presented Revelation "in signs," or symbols. These are vivid and thrilling to examine. They depict dynamic activity and should, in turn, stir us to zealous efforts in making known to others the prophecy and its meaning. Revelation presents for us a number of electrifying visions, in each of which John participated either actively or as an observer. Those of the John class, some of whom have shared for upwards of 70 years in the fulfillment of these visions, are happy that God's spirit has unlocked the meaning so that they can explain it to others.

Dynamic activity? What? The Beast rising out of the abyss in 1945? Rutherford in prison? What, a convention in 1922? What could be more electrifying than Cedar Point, Ohio and a bunch of tracts with cartoons of priests with arrows in their glutimus maximii?

Ok, granted, you have fulfilled many things, John Class. Unfortunately things don't always go as "scripted". Maybe we shouldn't trust in pyramids?

8 These visions in Revelation are not presented in chronological order. Each has its own time period of fulfillment. Many of the visions echo words of earlier prophecies that provide clues as to their interpretation. For example, Daniel's prophecy described four fearsome beasts, explaining that these portrayed ruling powers on earth. Hence, we are helped to understand that the beasts of Revelation represent political entities, including those now existing.—Daniel 7:1-8, 17; Revelation 13:2, 11-13; 17:3.

Good job!

9 John was faithful in bearing witness to the message that God through Jesus Christ gave to him. He described in detail "all the things he saw." The John class has earnestly sought guidance from God and Jesus Christ in order to understand the prophecy fully and make known its fine points to God's people. For the benefit of the anointed congregation (and also of the international great crowd that God will preserve alive through the great tribulation), John writes: "Happy is he who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and who observe the things written in it; for the appointed time is near."—Revelation 1:3.

Have you really sought guidance from God? And even if you have, how do you know FOR SURE that it has been given to you? Because your coffers are full?

10 You will benefit greatly by reading Revelation and even more so by observing the things written in it. John explained in one of his letters: "This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome, because everything that has been born from God conquers the world. And this is the conquest that has conquered the world, our faith." (1 John 5:3, 4) You can become supremely happy by building such a faith!

Agreed. His commandments are not burdensome. In stark contrast to the Phariseeic slavery imposed on Jehovah's Witnesses today. Not to mention being burdened with "community guilt" for a ten-year fling with the Beast.

11 It is urgent that we observe the words of the prophecy, "for the appointed time is near." The appointed time for what? For the fulfillment of the prophecies of Revelation, including God's judgments. The time is near for God and Jesus Christ to execute final judgment on Satan's world system. When Jesus was here on earth, he stated that only his Father knew "that day or the hour." Looking ahead to the troubles that have multiplied on earth from World War I onward, Jesus also said: "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen." So the appointed time for executing God's decision must be drawing perilously close. (Mark 13:8, 30-32) As Habakkuk 2:3 states: "The vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late." Our salvation through the great tribulation depends on our observing God's prophetic Word.—Matthew 24:20-22.

Yes indeed, World War I is firmly implanted in the minds of "this generation". Yes I turn on FoxNews and they're still talking day and night about the sinking of the Lusitania. Can we maybe sing a newer song? Since we have two at least 2 abyssings and a half dozen "comings", why not fast-forward a few decades and add in another temple inspection?

Sorry guys, just being mischievous.

Agape
Lou