A Question:
Thank-you for all the fine articles. With what I am understanding, is the preaching work of Matt.24:14 changed ...or what Jesus was referring to as being preached in all the inhabited earth, completed? I hope you understand my question.
ANSWER:
Hello,
I also hope I understand your question.
Since you cited Matt.24:14, I will assume you are asking about the meaning of this verse, and how it applies to our day.
Thank-you for all the fine articles. With what I am understanding, is the preaching work of Matt.24:14 changed ...or what Jesus was referring to as being preached in all the inhabited earth, completed? I hope you understand my question.
ANSWER:
Hello,
I also hope I understand your question.
Since you cited Matt.24:14, I will assume you are asking about the meaning of this verse, and how it applies to our day.
At this point I would like to offer you a good link to read:
You don't say whether or not you are a "Jehovah's Witness", but this people define the "good news of the Kingdom" as the declaration that the Kingdom arrived in 1914, and that it will bring a long list of blessings to those who:
learn all current JW teachings,
join their program of meetings and publication study,
and subject themselves to the organizational arrangements and leadership.
If you are asking if this preaching work is the true meaning of Matt.24:14 and the
"good news of the Kingdom" being preached,
I don't believe this is so.
Why?
Because the very understanding of the kingdom, which 'Jehovah's Witnesses' teach, is faulty.
For this reason, I doubt this is the message Jesus had in mind at Matt.24:14.
(see http://pearl-generation.blogspot.com/ )
Up until very recently, it seemed that such a message could not be declared
in "all the earth", EXCEPT by the Organization of Jehovah's witnesses.
But this previous situation has taken an unexpected sudden turn.
With current technology, a single individual with little resource can publish information, translate it into any language, have the aid of an instant concordance and Bible translations, and send that information all over the world....and all for free. (Dan.11:34)
So the presumption that only the WTBTS can declare a worldwide proclamation of Kingdom good news, is no longer true.
This opens up the possibility, that a different message could be declared before the "end will come" Matt.24:14.
Since the message now being declared by Jehovah's Witnesses is full of error, I suspect that the true good news of the kingdom is quite different from it, and that can be seen in scripture.
I also suspect that it will include a declaration that all 144,000 are finally sealed, the kingdom's administration is completely prepared (Eph.1:10) and Christ's arrival is imminent.
Jesus said that the anointed needed to keep their lamps of truth burning until he did arrive (Luke 12:35-36,37-38,39-40). This arrival has not yet happened (1Cor.11:26).
There is currently so much error of doctrine to correct due to Satan's work,
that no...we will not finish the true preaching work, before the end comes.
I do suggest that you give deep consideration of Matt.10:16-17,18-19,20-21,22-23:
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes."
(Rev.1:11)
Perhaps you may notice a few differences between the "good news" being preached by Jehovah's Witnesses, and the one being spoken about by Jesus.
Notice that the preaching would bring the anointed into conflict with their own religious leaders so much so, that they would be "EXPELLED, scourged, delivered up, betrayed by family members, and hated by all".
But if you notice verse 23; who were the anointed preaching to?...the world?...no..."Israel". Who is "Israel" just before "the son of man comes"?
God's people are no longer the physical Jews, but spiritual Jews (Gal.6:16; 3:29; Rom.2:29).
Notice again verse 23:
For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
It says, that "Israel" will not receive a complete witness, before the SON OF MAN COMES.
Therefore, this is not speaking about the witness given in the first century, but the witness given just before Christ returns/"comes"... our time of the last days.
Yes, the "Israel of God" is actually the ones who need to be preached to before the end.
They are now located around the globe, so the witness needs to "be preached in all the inhabited earth" for a witness in every Nation. Yet according to Matt.10:23, it is directed to "Israel".
This work DOES cause being "expelled, scourged, delivered up, betrayed by family members, and hated by all"....because most of "Israel" refuses to hear the truth about their error (Rev.8:2; Isa.58:1; Joel 2:1-2). Those who speak of it are disfellowshipped/"expelled" by elders (John 16:2; Isa.57:1; Matt.5:11-12; 25:6; Heb.13:13; John 15:20) who are not anointed (2Chron.13:9; 23:6; Ezek.44:6,7,8,9; Matt.24:15)[these are considered by YHVH, as spiritual Gentiles, not anointed Jews (Rom.2:29)] These do not belong serving in the anointed "Temple" (1Cor.3:16)...and throwing out or usurping the genuine "priests" (1Pet.2:9,5; 2Thess.2:4; Mark 13:14). In doing so, they replace Christ as the head of his anointed congregation.
Most JW anointed ones prefer to believe in a false "peace and security" (Jer.5:31; 1Tim.4:1; Matt.24:24-25) within the mistaken belief, that God's only requirement for them is to be dominated by a "spirit directed Organization", and that their heavenly Father's approval is the same as approval from this Organization of men. This is in opposition to the scriptures, which exhort the Chosen to be directed by their anointing by spirit (1John2:20-21,27-28) and the One who anointed them (1Cor.7:23; Gal.1:10; Col.3:24). The elders did not anoint the Chosen Priests.
That Organization is represented in each Congregation by elders (spiritual Gentiles), who are NOT spiritual Jews/anointed, nor are they meant to be the spiritual heads of the Chosen Priests of God's spiritual Temple (1Cor.3:16; Rev.11:1,2; 13:7,10; Col.2:8; Luke 21:24).
Most members of the "Israel" of God today, are in subjection to these, rather than to Christ as their head. Jesus is supposed to be the only mediator between God and the anointed (1Tim.2:5).
There is also no scriptural basis for the anointed to have a "representative" Governing Body ruling over them (Mark10:42,43,44). These are the ones who have set policy to throw out and sentence to spiritual death, any who defy their unfounded authority and that of their counterfeit priesthood. Those anointed who are faithful to scripture are expelled. Matt.24:48-49.
You may also want to consider where Jesus continues in Matt.10...
Matt.10:24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub,[d] how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known."
Notice that Jesus says that all this persecution happens because of things that are "covered"/hidden. Yes, the Israel of God is in spiritual trouble, because of not seeing all the truth about their situation, nor can they view the true messengers correctly. Those faithful witnesses of truth are seen as wicked (Just as Jesus was) (Mark 13:13; Isa.5:20; Amos 5:18; Rev.11:9,10). But Jesus promises that the truth will become known.
Rev.8:10-11; 9:1-3; Joel 2:2,10,12,14,17
==================
The "good news" includes that despite most of "Israel" remaining blind, deaf, and asleep; the faithful remnant will be sealed, and the repentant of the remnant, forgiven. (Jer.31:11; Matt.22:14).
The "good news" includes that despite most of "Israel" remaining blind, deaf, and asleep; the faithful remnant will be sealed, and the repentant of the remnant, forgiven. (Jer.31:11; Matt.22:14).
The whole truth about the realities of how the Kingdom administration will finally be completed, how it will operate, and bring blessings to the physical Creation, will also finally be made plain (Rev.10:7; 1Cor.13:10). The true "faithful and discreet" "Sons of God", will also then, finally be revealed (Rom.8:19; Isa.41:27; 60:1,2,3,4,5; Ezek.14:22,23).
Thank you for your question, and if there is anything else, please follow-up.
All the best,
Pearl
A reminder: Part III of the series is ready for consideration-- ( pearl-sign.blogspot.com )
It follows:
Introduction
Part I
Part II
LINK to DIRECTORY of all ARTICLES
LINK TO MAIN HOMEPAGE
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