The big adjustment in 2013
What of the Evil Slave?
“But if ever that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’ and he starts to beat his fellow slaves and to eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, and he will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his place with the hypocrites. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be. Matthew 24:48-51.
If 1919 was the time that the slave was pronounced faithful, then would it not also be the time for the evil slave to be pronounced wicked and punished? In 1927 it was believed that the evil slave was made up of some from the faithful slave class:
“All who were begotten and anointed of the holy spirit and thereby in Christ constituted a part of The Servant class. The parable of the talents shows that some of That Servant class, when the Lord came to his temple, were found to be unfaithful; and to such the Lord said: “Thou wicked and slothful servant,
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”-Matthew 25:26, 28, 30. Undoubtedly then the evil servant is made up of that part of the Servant class who were found unfaithful when the Lord came to his temple.” (The Watchtower February 15, 1927 page 56 paragraph 49-50.
But wouldn’t that mean that Jesus prophesied that there would be two slaves? Two classes?
The book God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years answers:
“It is reasonable to believe that the Lord Jesus would not use an illustration without having some cases, or a general case, with which to furnish an example of what he meant, as far as conduct and the outcome thereof is concerned. This would illustrate, not that Jesus appointed “that evil slave” class or type of Christians, but that it really happens to unfaithful, unreliable, untrustworthy, indiscreet Christians during his invisible parousia or presence just as he described.
There were instances of this in the ranks of the International Bible Students Association right after the death in 1916 C.E. of the editor of The Watch Tower and founder of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. There were attempts on the part of some individuals to seize power and control contrary to the provisions of the Society’s Charter. There were disagreements as to who made up the Lord’s approved organization. The power-seeking ones and those dissatisfied with sincere efforts to conduct matters according to the legal Charter and Bible principles were frustrated. They indulged in considerable ‘beating of their fellow slaves’ in a verbal way in print and by word of mouth and in judicial court. They put themselves on the side of the “confirmed drunkards” of this world, spiritually speaking, especially during those days of World War I. All of this put the stability of the organization, which was then under increasing religious persecution, to a great test. It brought a great trial upon the “faithful and discreet slave” class.
Jesus’ illustration gave the assurance that during his parousia or presence he would not permit any disloyal ones with the traits of “that evil slave” to break up his “household of faith” or to dominate it and turn it from its appointment to give his “domestics” their spiritual “food at the proper time.” At his time of inspection he punished with the greatest severity such an evilly disposed class. Or, according to the literal meaning of the Greek verb used in Matthew 24:51: “He will cut him in two.” (Marginal footnote) He “cut asunder” that class of misbehaving ones from the “faithful and discreet slave” class. This manifested itself in what appeared their strike for independence and withdrawing themselves and forming their own religious groups with a headship according to their liking. The outcome of their course of action is there for anyone who cares to investigate to do so. -God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached pages 360-361 paragraphs 61-63.
In the previous article it was established that this time of inspection was said to have occurred in 1918 during Christ’s Parousia or presence. But in his illustration, Jesus said the master would come [hexo a synonym of erchomai] at a time the slave did not expect. Erchomai is the word that appears in Matthew 24:30:
“then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming [erchomai] on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”—Matthew 24:30.
Both Erchomai and Hexo also appear in the Septuagint translation of Malachi 3:1 the text the society interprets as having its second fulfillment in 1918:
“Behold, I send forth my messenger and he shall survey the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come [hexei] into his temple, even the angle of the covenant, whom ye take pleasure in: behold, he is coming [erchetai] saith the Lord Almighty. -Malachi 3:1. -Brenton.
Hence, it was nonsensical for the society to maintain that Jesus was present without coming in 1914. That he came in 1918 to appoint the slave over all his belongings and remove an evil slave, and that he will yet come with his angels during the great tribulation. How many times does he come?
However, in the year 2013 in an article entitled “Who Really is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?” there came three adjustments to the understanding of this parable:
- Not all anointed ones make up the slave. Only the members of the governing body.
- The first appointment of the slave to provide food for the domestics occurred not in 33 C.E. but in 1919
- No “evil slave” class.
“Do all anointed ones on earth make up the faithful slave? No. The reality is that not all anointed ones have a role in dispensing spiritual food to fellow believers worldwide. Among the wheat are anointed brothers who may serve as ministerial servants or elders in their local congregation. They teach from house to house and in their congregation, and they loyally support the direction from headquarters. But they do not have a part in dispensing spiritual food to the worldwide brotherhood. Also among the anointed are humble sisters, who would never try to assume the role of teachers in the congregation.—1 Corinthians 11:3; 14:34.
Who, then, is the faithful and discreet slave? In keeping with Jesus’ pattern of feeding many through the hands of a few, that slave is made up of a small group of anointed brothers who are directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food during Christ’s presence. Throughout the last days, the anointed brothers who make up the faithful slave have served together at headquarters. In recent decades, that slave has been closely identified with the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Note, however, that the word “slave” in Jesus’ illustration is singular, indicating that this is a composite slave. The decisions of the Governing Body are thus made collectively. -The Watchtower July 15, 2013 pages 21 paragraphs 9-10.
But this raises an interesting question. If the Faithful and Discreet Slave
is made up of a small group of anointed brothers who are directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food during Christ’s presence, wouldn’t that mean that only that small group receives the second appointment, over all the master’s belongings?
The article addresses this question in paragraph 19:
Does the faithful slave receive a greater reward in heaven than the rest of the anointed? No. A reward promised to a small group in one setting may ultimately be shared by others. For example, consider what Jesus said to his 11 faithful apostles the night before he died. (Read Luke 22:28-30.) Jesus promised that small group of men that a fine reward awaited them for their faithfulness. They would share his throne of kingly authority. But years later, he indicated that all of the 144,000 will sit on thrones and share his rulership. (Rev. 1:1; 3:21) Similarly, as stated at Matthew 24:47, he promised that a small group of men—the anointed brothers who make up the faithful slave—will be appointed over all his belongings. In reality, all of the 144,000 will share his vast heavenly authority.—Rev. 20:4, 6. (The Watchtower July 15, 2013 pg. 25 par. 19)
This is a false analogy since Jesus’ promise to his 11 apostles was not dependent on their performance of a specified duty. In Jesus’ illustration the slave pictures those that are involved directly in feeding the domestics. Those not involved in that work would not receive that reward. While on the other hand, all of Jesus’ disciples would share his throne of kingly authority not as a reward for feeding but for remaining faithful. So, to use Jesus’ illustration to say that only the members of the governing body constitute the faithful and discreet slave automatically has them receiving a different reward than the rest. If all of them receive the same reward, then all of them constitute the slave.
Another problem is caused by eliminating a first century fulfillment:
“The context of the illustration of the faithful and discreet slave shows that it began to be fulfilled, not at Pentecost 33 C.E., but in this time of the end…
Starting with the words recorded at Matthew 24:29, Jesus focused primarily on events that would happen in our day. -Read Matthew 24:30, 42, 44. Speaking about what will happen during the great tribulation, he said that people “will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then, in words meant for those living during the last days, he urged vigilance, saying: “You do not know on what day your Lord is coming” and, “At an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming.” In this context—when speaking about events that would take place in the last days—Jesus related the illustration of the faithful slave. Therefore, we may conclude that his words about that faithful slave began to be fulfilled only after the last days began in 1914. Such a conclusion makes sense.” -The Watchtower July 15, 2013 page 21 paragraphs 4-6.
So now it was being taught that there was no 1,900 year old faithful and discreet slave. This was the theme of a morning worship talk given by David Splane.
Throughout the talk the only possible definition of the faithful slave allowed by Splane was that of a composite body organized to teach spiritual truths. Speaking of the time period between the death of the first century apostles and the appearing of the Bible Students in the 1800’s he gave the following four reasons for coming to this conclusion:
1. First of all, in the beginning, the source, the Bible, was not available.
2. Next, the attitude toward the spiritual food was not always wholesome.
3. Then there were tremendous divisions among the reformers.
4. And finally there was a poor attitude toward the preaching work.
Towards the end of his talk he said of the Protestant reformers “We don’t know how Jehovah felt about them. We don’t know whether any of them were of the anointed but just had a few problems in understanding.” This seems to be an admission that, according to Jesus illustration of the wheat and the weeds, there were at least some individual Christians that met his approval down through the centuries. It is just that only Jesus would know who they were. -Matthew 13:24-30.
This had been the understanding for some time. For example the May 1, 1994 Watchtower had this to say:
“Jesus had foretold that following the death of the apostles, the genuine heirs of the Kingdom (whom he likened to wheat) would continue to grow alongside the imitation Christians (or, weeds) until the time of the harvest. -Matthew 13:29, 30. We cannot today list with any certainty all of those that the Master viewed as wheat. But it is noteworthy that during the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries, there were men who risked their own lives and freedom to put the Bible into the language of the common man. Others not only accepted the Bible as God’s Word but also rejected the Trinity as unscriptural. Some rejected belief in the immortality of the soul and torment in hellfire as being completely out of harmony with God’s Word.” (The Watchtower May 1, 1994 pages 23-24 paragraph 13.
This raises an important question: How does one escape the conclusion that Jesus obviously dealt with and blessed individual Christians apart from the aid of a visible earthly organization for 1,900 years? Jesus himself promised:
Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” Matthew 28:19, 20.
Just how was Jesus with these ones without a composite faithful and discreet slave body providing spiritual food? If he could care for the interests of the few stalks of wheat on an individual basis why could he not continue to do so? Why would he need a faithful and discreet slave organization?
Yet, there are other problems this interpretation raises:
At the time of the 2013 adjustment, the Watchtower said this:
“Think, for a moment, about the question: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?” In the first century, there was hardly a reason to ask such a question. As we saw in the preceding article, the apostles could perform miracles and even transmit miraculous gifts as proof of divine backing. -Acts 5:12. So why would anyone need to ask who really was appointed by Christ to take the lead? In 1914, however, the situation was much different. The harvest season began in that year. The time had finally arrived to separate the weeds from the wheat. -Matthew 13:36-43. As the harvest season began, a vital question thus arose: With many imitation Christians claiming to be Jesus’ true followers, how could the wheat—anointed Christians—be identified? The illustration of the faithful slave provided an answer. Christ’s anointed followers would be the ones who were well-fed spiritually.” (The Watchtower July 15, 2013 page 21 paragraph 7.
First of all it is assumed that, since it was so obvious the apostles in the first century were feeding the flock, Jesus question was not about the first century situation. It must apply to some other group at some future time. But without Jesus words to clearly identify this group and this time period how would we be able to do so without going beyond what is written? This amounts to skipping over what Jesus himself clearly instructs Peter to do and what we later read in the scriptures of him doing along with the other apostles and Paul. -John 21:15-17; Acts 2:41, 42; 6:1-6. Then going on to speculate to whom in the future and what time period this all applies. In view of this, as stated in the May 15, 1986 Watchtower, it is perfectly reasonable that Jesus appointed his first century apostles as faithful slaves before ascending to heaven but questioned who would be carrying on this work when he arrived. -Luke 18:8.
Secondly, Jesus words would have to be taken to mean that the slave was first appointed to provide food to the domestics in 1919. This obviously leaves out the work of C.T. Russell and the Bible students as well as result in a slave that has yet to be examined and pronounced faithful. So, on what basis would the selection be made? Just how could they prove to be well fed spiritually prior to the appointment of the slave to feed them? Who fed them? But if they were well fed prior to the appointment of the slave, why then would it be necessary to appoint a slave to feed them?
Thirdly, what Biblical proof is there that the harvest season began in 1914? Does this mean that Jesus leaves during the middle of the harvest and then returns to inspect the slave and appoint him over all his belongings?
Lastly, what evidence do we have that Jesus question “who really is the faithful and discreet slave?” applies to a governing body, which in reality amounts to being a clergy class, instead of to each individual Christian up until he returns? -Luke 12:41-48; 1 Peter 4:10,11; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31.
In the Watchtower article previous to this entitled “Feeding the Many Through the Hands of a Few” it was reasoned:
“FEEDING THE MANY FROM PENTECOST ONWARD
Starting at Pentecost 33 C.E., the resurrected Christ used his apostles as the channel through which he fed the rest of his anointed disciples. -Read Acts 2:41, 42. That channel was clearly recognized by the Jews and proselytes who became spirit-anointed Christians that day. Unhesitatingly, they “continued devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles.” According to one scholar, the Greek verb rendered “continued devoting themselves” can mean having “a steadfast and single-minded fidelity to a certain course of action.”[1] The new believers had a deep hunger for spiritual food, and they knew exactly where to get it. With unwavering loyalty, they looked to the apostles to explain the words and deeds of Jesus and to shed fresh light on the meaning of the scriptures pertaining to him.—Acts 2:22-36.
The apostles kept their responsibility to feed Jesus’ sheep clearly in focus. For example, notice how they handled a sensitive and potentially divisive issue that arose in the newly formed congregation. Ironically, the matter involved food—material food. Greek-speaking widows were being overlooked in the daily food distribution, but Hebrew-speaking widows were not being overlooked. How did the apostles resolve this delicate issue? “The twelve” appointed seven qualified brothers to oversee the “necessary business,” the food distribution. The apostles—most of whom had no doubt shared in distributing food to the crowds whom Jesus had miraculously fed—saw that it was more important for them to focus on spiritual feeding. Thus, they devoted themselves to “the ministry of the word.”—Acts 6:1-6.
The Watchtower article continues in paragraph 12:
“Thus far we have seen that Jesus followed a pattern when feeding his followers: He fed many through the hands of a few. The channel he used for spiritual feeding was clearly recognizable. After all, the apostles—the original members of the governing body—could provide visible proof of heavenly backing. “Through the hands of the apostles many signs and portents continued to occur among the people,” states Acts 5:12. Hence, there was no reason for those who became Christians to wonder, ‘Who really are the ones through whom Christ is feeding his sheep?’ But by the end of the first century, the situation changed.
WHEN THE WEEDS WERE MANY AND THE BLADES OF WHEAT FEW
Jesus foretold that the Christian congregation would come under attack. Remember, in his prophetic illustration of the wheat and the weeds, Jesus warned that a newly planted field of wheat (anointed Christians) would be oversown with weeds (imitation Christians). The groups, he said, would be allowed to grow side by side—undisturbed until the harvest, which would come at “a conclusion of a system of things.” -Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. It was not long before Jesus’ words began to come true.
The apostasy made some inroads in the first century, but Jesus’ faithful apostles acted “as a restraint,” holding back the contamination and influence of false teachings. -2 Thessalonians 2:3, 6, 7. However, once the last of the apostles died, the apostasy took root and flourished during a long growing season that lasted for many centuries. Additionally, during that time, the weeds became many and the blades of wheat were few. There was no consistent, organized channel for dispensing spiritual food. That would eventually change. But the question is, When?” (The Watchtower July 15, 2013 page 18 paragraphs 12-14.
So, it is accepted that Jesus appointed the apostles to care for the feeding of first century Christians, and that they saw themselves as fulfilling the role of the faithful slave. -Acts 6:1-6. True to Jesus words the Christian brotherhood had been corrupted by weeds but are we to imagine that it went out of existence? If so, how are we to understand Jesus words in Matthew 16:18:
“Also, I say to you: You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my congregation, and the gates of the Grave will not overpower it. Matthew 16:18.
In order to be able to say that there was no faithful slave for 1,900 years the society has first defined the slave to mean an organized group of anointed Christians that hold doctrinal beliefs identical to modern day Jehovah’s Witnesses. Knowing that this organized group would go out of existence after the apostasy took root, it must mean that Jesus was illustrating for his disciples how, during his future presence he would have to search for a group of Christians who have, apparently without his help, worked hard to restore such an organization and appoint them to be the sole channel to feed his domestics. Following this reasoning we would have to conclude that Jesus totally ignored Peter’s question in Luke 12:41: “Lord are you saying this illustration to us or also to all?” But instead went on to describe two appointments of a composite slave class that would appear 2,000 years into the future. One in 1919 to feed the domestics followed by a future appointment over all his belongings. What possible benefit could Jesus words have for either the disciples or anyone in the crowd?
Additionally, where in Jesus illustration of the wheat and the weeds does he say that he, at the conclusion, would appoint an organized channel for dispensing spiritual food? Also, in his explanation of the parable to his disciples, the slaves of the master asked him about the weeds: “Do you want us then, to go out and collect them?” -Matthew 13:28. How did the master respond? Did not Jesus say he would do the separating and that the reapers are angels not men? -Matthew 13:41. Did not Jesus say that in the harvest season the weeds would be gathered up and burned? Where did Jesus prophesy a revival or restoration of the first century Christian congregation? Would not any attempt at prematurely gathering the wheat be working against the master’s interests?
The article continues:
“HARVESTTIME—WHO WOULD DO THE FEEDING?
As the end of the growing season neared, there were strong stirrings of interest in Bible truth. Recall that in the 1870’s, a small group of sincere truth-seekers got together and formed Bible classes apart from the weeds—imitation Christians within the churches and sects of Christendom. With humble hearts and open minds, those sincere Bible Students, as they called themselves, made a careful and prayerful search of the Scriptures.—Matthew 11:25.
The Bible Students’ diligent study of the Scriptures yielded rich results. Those loyal men and women exposed false doctrines and spread spiritual truths, publishing and distributing Bible literature far and wide. Their work won the hearts and convinced the minds of many who were hungering and thirsting for spiritual truth. An intriguing question therefore arises: Were the Bible Students in the years that led up to 1914 the appointed channel through which Christ would feed his sheep? No. They were still in the growing season, and the arrangement for a channel to provide spiritual food was still taking shape. The time had not yet come for the weedlike imitation Christians to be separated from the true Christian wheat.” (The Watchtower July 15, 2013 page 18 paragraphs 15,16.
Rather than following carefully what Jesus said in his parable, this explanation is more of an attempt to force it into Watchtower history. By stating that there was no 1,900 year faithful slave, David Splane and the Watchtower society have given the faithful slave of Jesus illustration their own definition, namely that it must be an already approved organized channel dispensing spiritual food. Then they proceed to prove that such could not exist during the dark ages. They do not allow for the possibility that Jesus could have been encouraging all his future disciples to use their talents and abilities to build up the entire body of Christians until he arrives.[2] Or that Jesus by using the duties of a slave given responsibility by his master, was illustrating for them the need to remain busy and alert because of not knowing the day or hour of his return. This latter possibility need not have anything to do with feeding at all.
The elimination of a 1,900 year old slave organization also solves a problem for the society. If there had been such a slave class down through the centuries, each generation feeding the succeeding generation, then this slave class should have been on hand to feed C.T. Russell and his fellow Bible students. But that does not fit what is reported to have happened. C. T. Russell formed his study group independent from any other religious group. (He was, however, influenced by N.H. Barbour and the Second Adventists when it came to Bible chronology and time prophecies.)
The main benefit of this interpretation for the society is that it legitimizes its authority structure. Especially in view of the fact that the faithful and discreet slave class is now said to be the governing body. They can use this parable to point to a scripture that says they were appointed by Jesus. But it creates other problems as well. How does one determine when Jesus appoints such a slave class? The timing of the end of the growing season is dependent upon Jesus enthronement in the heavens in 1914. An assumption that cannot be supported scripturally. -Acts 1:7. Rather than demonstrate from scripture that there is a connection between Jesus parable of the wheat and the weeds and his question about the faithful and discreet slave, another assumption is made that Jesus would appoint a faithful and discreet slave at the end of the growing season. The interpretation raises other questions as well. Where does Jesus say in the parable that the slave should take the lead or that it is important for all to be obedient to the slave? How is it possible for the small group of sincere Bible students to separate themselves from the weeds if the harvest season had not yet arrived? Who makes that determination and on what basis? Did not Jesus say the weeds would be collected first by the angels and bound in bundles to be burned? -Matthew 13:30.
The article continues:
“As we learned in the preceding article, the harvest season began in 1914. In that year, a number of important developments began to unfold. Jesus was enthroned as King, and the last days began. -Revelation 11:15. From 1914 to the early part of 1919, Jesus accompanied his Father to the spiritual temple to do a much-needed inspection and cleansing work. -Malachi 3:1-4. Then, starting in 1919, it was time to begin gathering the wheat. Was it finally the time for Christ to appoint one organized channel to dispense spiritual food? Yes, indeed!
In his prophecy about the time of the end, Jesus foretold that he would appoint a channel to give out spiritual “food at the proper time.” -Matthew 24:45-47. Which channel would he use? True to the pattern he set in the first century, Jesus would once again feed many through the hands of a few. But as the last days were just getting under way, the critical question was, Who will be the few?” (The Watchtower July 15, 2013 page 19 paragraphs 17-18.
Although previously it was acknowledged that the apostles served as a channel for providing food in the first century, Jesus parable is now presented as being not about their appointment at all but about the appointment of a channel two thousand years in the future. Although the apostles were not “the slave” Jesus was talking about in his parable, nevertheless the future channel would follow the pattern set by the apostles. Is this difficult for you to follow? One would have to ask how would it be possible for Jesus disciples listening at the time to have the slightest clue of what he was talking about?
Finally we have arrived at the third adjustment which was in regards to the understanding of the evil slave:
“IF EVER THAT EVIL SLAVE . . .”
Jesus has placed the weightiest of responsibilities on the faithful and discreet slave—namely, overseeing the domestics and giving out spiritual food at the proper time. Jesus knew that those with greater responsibility have greater accountability. -Luke 12:48. Hence, he concluded his illustration about the faithful and discreet slave with a powerful warning.
Jesus warned about an evil slave who concludes in his heart that the master is delaying and who starts to beat his fellow slaves. When the master arrives, said Jesus, he will punish that evil slave “with the greatest severity.”—Read Matthew 24:48-51.
Was Jesus foretelling that there would be an evil slave class in the last days? No. Granted, some individuals have manifested a spirit similar to that of the evil slave described by Jesus. We would call them apostates, whether they were of the anointed or of the “great crowd.” -Revelation 7:9. But such ones do not make up an evil slave class. Jesus did not say that he would appoint an evil slave. His words here are actually a warning directed to the faithful and discreet slave.
Notice that Jesus introduces the warning with the words “if ever.” One scholar says that in the Greek text, this passage “for all practical purposes is a hypothetical condition.” In effect, Jesus was saying: ‘If the faithful and discreet slave were ever to mistreat his fellow slaves in these ways, this is what the master will do when he arrives.’ See also Luke 12:45. However, the composite faithful and discreet slave has continued to keep on the watch and to provide nourishing spiritual food.
The anointed brothers who together serve as the faithful slave recognize that they are accountable to the Master for the way they care for his domestics. The heartfelt desire of these anointed brothers is to fulfill their responsibility loyally so that they might hear a “well done” from the Master when he finally arrives.” (The Watchtower July 15, 2013 box on page 24)
The one unnamed scholar referred to in the article and the phrase “for all practical purposes is a hypothetical condition” is a text note taken from Matthew 24:48 in the NET Bible.[3]
So now the understanding is that Jesus did not foretell that there would be an evil slave class. Jesus words are just a warning to the faithful slave not to become evil and mistreat his fellow slaves. Of course, in the minds of loyal witnesses this could never happen. Witnesses are told they can put complete trust in the governing body because Jehovah trusts them completely even though they are imperfect and can make mistakes.
With such immense trust placed in them by both Jehovah and Jesus it raises the question “why did Jesus bother to give the warning?”
By now it should be fairly obvious that the Watchtower society’s interpretation of Jesus parable of the Faithful and Discreet Slave has gone through many twists and turns over the years with the aim of scripturally legitimizing their claim of being an authority structure of men appointed by Jesus to serve as his approved channel to interpret the Bible for Jehovah’s Witnesses and the rest of the world. Missing however, is any scriptural proof that any of this took place in 1919.
What we have been mentally prepared in this article to accept is that by taking five loaves and two fish and miraculously feeding the crowd by means of his disciples Jesus was performing a prophetic type that would be fulfilled in 1919 with the appointment of a small group of men that would take the lead in gathering and feeding all true Christian wheat. Yet while performing this miracle, did you note anywhere in the context that Jesus gives this as the reason he chooses this way to distribute food to the crowds? -Matthew 15:32-39; 16:7-10. What was the lesson of the loaves? -Mark 6:52; 8:19-21. This will be considered in Part 5.
[1] The Expositors Bible Commentary by Kenneth L. Barker, John R. Kohlenberger III
[2] This explanation appeared in the older version of Insight on the Scriptures: Those forming the Christian congregation are referred to by the apostle Paul as “members of the household of God” -Ephesians 2:19; 1Timothy 3:15, and the same apostle shows that ‘faithful stewardship’ among such household members involved the dispensing of spiritual truths on which those becoming believers would ‘feed.’ -1Corinthians 3:2,5; 4:1,2; compare Matthew 4:4. Whereas this was a prime responsibility of those appointed as shepherds of the flock -1Peter 5:1-3, the apostle Peter shows that such stewardship of the divine truths was actually committed to all the ‘chosen ones,’ all the spirit-anointed ones, of the Christian congregation. -1Peter 1:1,2; 4:10,11. Thus the entire anointed Christian congregation was to serve a united stewardship, dispensing such truths. (Insight volume. 1 pages. 805-806.
[3] Interestingly, the first edition of the NET Bible was released on August 30, 2005. Eight years before the Watchtower’s new understanding. Also, commentators such as Albert Barnes -1798-1870. have long had this understanding.