In your detailed reply to the question "are you saying you are a prophet?" you seem to indicate that there are other "late bloomers" like yourself who are looked upon as "clowns " by elders. My questions are: Are there indeed others who now stand alongside you? Is this the grouping of the good slave in readiness for the judgment of God’s household? Also, as you have shown from scripture that there is actually two appointments, the second being the appointment of over "all his belongings," are we shortly to expect the emergence of "his belongings?”As far as others standing alongside me, no, I don’t view it that way; least I be accused of forming a sect of some sort. However, e-watchman.com does appear to have become an informal rallying point around which a few “late bloomers” have gathered. My essays seem to resonant more with some, since we have a shared experience. And I suppose, if anything, I have articulated that experience for others. (The more apt description, instead of “late bloomers, is “11th hour hires.” See essay: “Many that are First Will be Last”)
The second appointment over all the master’s “belongings” has reference to their being appointed as kings over all the earth. How do we know? Please note that Jesus followed up the parable of the faithful and discreet slave and the evil slave with two other illustrations regarding two classes of faithful and unfaithful servants. In the illustration of the faithful and sluggish slaves who are entrusted with their master’s money, Jesus also referred to an appointment, saying: “You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.”
Entering “into the joy of your master” relates to Christ’s anointed followers receiving their heavenly reward – of entering the kingdom of the heavens. That being the case, being appointed “over many things” must relate to their sharing in ruling over the earth during the reign of Christ’s kingdom. So, in that respect all of Jesus’ earthly “belongings,” over which the faithful slave and discreet slave is to be appointed, would appear to be not only the living who are destined to survive the great tribulation and live on the earth, but also the dead, who also belong to Jesus by virtue of the fact that his sacrificial death purchased all of mankind.
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Tuesday, December 19, 2006
More on the 11th hour workers
Notwithstanding the Watchtower's teaching on this subject, the 11th hour workers appear to be newly anointed ones who have been hired to work in the master’s vineyard. (Matthew 20:1-6) Such ones may at first have difficulty accepting their calling at this late hour because they have been taught by the Watchtower that by the mid 1930s the influx and identification of the great crowd was an indication that the selection process of the 144,000 had reached its limit. It is reasoned that any replacements would come from among mature brothers and sisters that have many years of experience in the ministry. So by this teaching others who may have been chosen by “the master of the vineyard” in this late hour may have a hard time accepting their calling, feeling perhaps that they are being played by a higher power other than God’s spirit. It is true that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light, but he is certainly not in the business of anointing people for the kingdom of God, that would certainly be the last thing on his mind. The Father is the one that draws such ones to his Son. (John 6:44) At best the Devil will attempt to confuse and mislead such ones into giving up or writing-off their calling as a hoax. God allows the Devil this leeway so as to test the faith of the one being called. It should also be noted that the Devil is a slithering serpent, and an opportunistic one at that, who gets between God and the believer. (Compare Genesis 3:1-5) The believer, however, has the task of determining who it is that is officially mediating in his favor. God reveals that One to be his Son, Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 9:11-15) Once the one being called or drawn to Christ has made that determination by accepting God’s Son, he merely has to follow through in faith, believing that God becomes the rewarder of those that seek him diligently. (Hebrews 11:6) By means of this faith-activating process, those being called take their stand for Christ, thus dispelling slithering remarks and serpentine attitudes, effectively relegating these under their feet. –Romans 16:20.
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