Questions About JWs' History and the Anointed Class

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Skeptical
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Questions About JWs' History and the Anointed Class

Post #1

Post by Skeptical »

I have a few questions about JWs' history concerning their anointed class. But these questions are open not just to JWs, but to anyone who has knowledge about their anointed class. Therefore, what is JWs' belief regarding their anointed class and how do they know from scripture that there is an anointed class and an earthly class of Christians? Because from what I know, JWs wasn't aware of this concept until the year 1935. Also, there was supposed to have been the belief that only 144,000 Christians were of the anointed class, but when their organization outgrew that number, they were supposed to have had an epiphany that there were two classes: a 144,000 anointed heavenly class and a numberless class of earth-bound Christian who were supposed to live in a new system on earth.

Also, from what I recall about their history, there was supposed to be some sort of calculations about how many anointed 'real' Christians existed in the first century and then all the way up to the latter part of the 19th century/the late 1800s. And at first that belief was pretty set until as I had already mentioned, the numbers started to grow in the year 1935. But then for a while, JWs had the belief that the number for the anointed class would continue to shrink while the number of the earthly Christians (or the great crowd as they are also called) continued to grow. Plus, JWs' annual celebration of the Memorial (of Jesus' death) would also serve as a count as to how many of the anointed class still existed on earth based upon who partook of the emblems during that celebration. And for a while, those numbers were shrinking because it was said that those anointed JWs from the early 1900s were slowly dying off.

However, as time went on, I think that it was in the 1990s that the number of the Memorial partakers started to increase and which threw a lot of people off as far as that being a barometer of the anointed class dying off and an indicator of how close the end of the world was. But then I think in the early 2000s, there was a big shift in doctrine and that all the anointed class around the world who were also thought of as the faithful and discreet slave class were no longer considered the faithful and discreet slave class, and only a small group of anointed men (and no women) in New York were only classified as being the faithful and discreet slave class.

Also, the new interpretation of the faithful and discreet slave class no longer had the description of very elderly anointed members from the early 1900s who had all but died off, but now younger men in the 50s and 60s were interpretated as being the anointed faithful and discreet slave class. Therefore, is there anyone who understands this and how this belief could have possibility have changed? Because at one time, these doctrines and beliefs were truths that came from God. Therefore, I don't quite understand how all that could have been gospel truth at one time, but then it was decided that all these beliefs were mistaken. 🤔 🤔 🤔

P.S. Oh, and BTW, JWs interpretation of 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 were involved where it was believed that the elderly anointed JWs from the early 1900s who had died, had been instantly transformed into powerful spirit beings who were filling up the number of 144,000 in heaven. (Revelation 7:3-4) However, I supposed that JWs now believe that the number that is supposed to be eventually sealed and filled is constantly in flux now? 🤔 And that it's pretty common that someone who was sealed can be unsealed and open up a new spot in heaven for the anointed? 🤔

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Re: Questions About JWs' History and the Anointed Class

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Post by JehovahsWitness »

Skeptical wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 8:52 pm I'm through with yours and the other JWs at this forum's Theocratic War Strategy.


I respect whatever decision you feel you need to make. Have a most wonderful and extremely excellent evening.

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Re: Questions About JWs' History and the Anointed Class

Post #22

Post by Ross »

Miles wrote: Wed Jun 14, 2023 3:42 pm
"The members of the Governing Body who exercise teaching authority over Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide claim to be among the anointed 144,000, and also consider themselves as a group to be the faithful and discreet slave of Matthew 24:45 and Luke 12:42."
source: Wikipedia. "Jehovah's Witnesses. Main article: The 'anointed' (Jehovah's Witnesses and salvation)
Hi Miles,

I am as always open for correction; but as I understand the situation, the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses around 2011 or thereabouts to the shock of many persons around the globe, claimed to be the Faithful and Discreet Slave of the cited parables, while such previously was understood to be the anointed class.

The anointed class of Jehovah's Witnesses are described as a dwindling group of aging folk whom as far as I am aware do not include the present members or most of them comprising the Governing Body. I would be glad to hear clarification on this point, but as JW's gloat when we don't know everything I am sure they wont provide one of their usual 'informative' links.

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Re: Questions About JWs' History and the Anointed Class

Post #23

Post by onewithhim »

Skeptical wrote: Thu Jun 15, 2023 2:03 am
Miles wrote: Wed Jun 14, 2023 3:42 pm
Skeptical wrote: Tue Jun 13, 2023 9:00 pm Also, does ANYONE KNOW if JWs still believe all of this? Plus, I was wondering if JWs are avoiding this topic because they want to save face? 🤔 🤔 🤔
Certainly they still believe it.

"The 'anointed'
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that exactly 144,000 faithful Christians go to heaven to rule with Christ in the kingdom of God.
*
*
The Witnesses understand Jesus’ words at John 3:3—"except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"—to apply to the 144,000 who are "born again" as "anointed" sons of God in heaven.
source: Wikipedia Jehovah's Witnesses and salvation

Unfortunately, some JWs believe not all 144,000 seats have been filled and that there's room for them.

"The members of the Governing Body who exercise teaching authority over Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide claim to be among the anointed 144,000, and also consider themselves as a group to be the faithful and discreet slave of Matthew 24:45 and Luke 12:42."
source: Wikipedia. "Jehovah's Witnesses. Main article: The 'anointed' (Jehovah's Witnesses and salvation)
But how does that work? Because wouldn't eventually that small number of the supposedly "little flock" be filled up?
The Bible doesn't say that the 144,000 have already been selected. The Governing Body doesn't know how many slots are still available, and perhaps they have all been chosen. No one can say conclusively who is anointed. We're just waiting for the end of this system to find out about many questions. And most of us do not desire to go to heaven. Paradise Earth was intended in the beginning when God created the earth, and it will absolutely come into reality once again, after Armageddon.

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Re: Questions About JWs' History and the Anointed Class

Post #24

Post by onewithhim »

Skeptical wrote: Tue Jun 20, 2023 8:52 pm
JehovahsWitness wrote: Fri Jun 16, 2023 11:59 am
Skeptical wrote: Sun Jun 11, 2023 10:10 pm...what is JWs' belief regarding their anointed class and how do they know from scripture that there is an anointed class and an earthly class of Christians?

That there are two classes of Christians is based on Jesus words at John 10:16. Below are a list of debate threads where the details have been presented.

RELATED POSTS
Does the bible support the idea of two different groups of Christians?
viewtopic.php?p=1022933#p1022933

Do different hopes or destinies make different "types" of Christians?
viewtopic.php?p=1005079#p1005079

How can two distinct groups be united ?
viewtopic.php?p=1120021#p1120021

Are the other sheep and the great crowd synonyms?
viewtopic.php?p=1119725#p1119725


To learn more please go to other posts related to...

THE LITTLE FLOCK , THE OTHER SHEEP and ... THE KINGDOM OF GOD
I'm through with yours and the other JWs at this forum's Theocratic War Strategy. 😂
Have you checked out the links that JehovahsWitness supplied? If not, are you just too lazy to look into what JWs really believe?

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