Who is the faithful and wise servant?

 

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

Matthew 24:45 - King James Version (KJV)

 

Note: From these words of Jesus, Jehovah's witnesses appropriate the position of the servant given as an example, to make it a prophecy relative and exclusive to them.


⚪ The whole body of Christ
⚫ Charles Russell
⚫ The organization / The anointed (the remnant)
⚫ The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses


 

 

⚪ The whole body of Christ

We believe that every member of this body of Christ is engaged in the blessed work, either directly or indirectly, of giving meat in due season to the household of faith. “Who then is that faithful and wise servant whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household,” to give them meat in due season? Is it not that “little flock” of consecrated servants who are faithfully carrying out their consecration vows -the body of Christ- and is not the whole body individually and collectively, giving the meat in due season to the household of faith -the great company of believers

Blessed is that servant (the whole body of Christ) whom his Lord when he has come‘ (Gr. elthon) shall find so doing. “Verily, I say unto you., that he shall make him ruler over all his goods.” “He shall inherit all things.”

Source : 🇺🇸 Zions's Watch Tower, October-November 1881, page 5

 

⚫ Charles Russell

The angel of the seventh church + the faithful and prudent servant:

DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:- Having had so many good experiences and rich blessings connected with the EUREKAY DRAMA and colporteur work, particularly this Spring, we wish to advise you of some of them.
[...]
We realize every day the great privilege of tile harvest work, particularly at this time, and that our sacrifice is very small compared with the blessings with which our Father rewards our humble efforts. We give him thanks and praise for every manifestation of his great love and for the increasing light as it is presented in THE WATCH TOWER. We also thank him for that faithful and wise servant, and pray richest blessings upon him. With much Christian love, Yours in joyful service,

EMMA ANDERSON.

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watch Tower, August 1 1915, [5744]

Thousands of the readers of Pastor Russell's writings believe that he filled the office of that faithful and wise servant,... His modesty and humility precluded him from openly claiming this title, but he admitted as much in private conversation.

Source : 🇺🇸 Watchtower, December 1, 1916, p. 357

More than thirty years ago, a congregation of Christian people formed in Pittsburgh, Pa,, selected Charles Taze Russell as their Pastor; and he served that congregation continuously as Pastor to the end, being able, however, to visit them only occasionally since the removal of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY headquarters to Brooklyn several years ago. He wrote and published a series of books -STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES- in six volumes, which turned a great flood of light upon God’s Word. Millions of these have gone into the homes of men throughout the earth, bringing gladness to their hearts. For more than thirty years he edited and published a semi-monthly journal, THE WATCH TOWER AND HERALD OF CHRIST’S PRESENCE, wholly devoted to the cause of Messiah’s kingdom. Be it known that this is the only publication on earth that has ever announced the presence of our Lord. The Lord Jesus promised that at his second coming, which should be invisible to human eyes, he would have one wise and faithful servant whom he would make ruler over all his goods to give meat to the household of faith in duo season. Christian's throughout the world who are familiar with the work of Pastor Russell readily recognize that he has been that wise and faithful servant of the Lord.
The work grew to great proportions; and desiring that it might be conducted in a systematic manner and perpetuated after his death, he organized the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACTS SOCIETY -a corporation, the charter of which was written by his own hand and is admitted, by men who know, to be a most remarkable document. Through this channel he has promulgated the message of Messiah’s kingdom to all the nations of the earth. [...] He did a greater work for the cause of Messiah’s kingdom than did any other man that ever lived on the earth.

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watch Tower, Decembre 1 1916, pp 373-374 - [6012]

Shall we, then, continue to recognize in our class studies the Berean Bible lessons prepared by Brother Russell? Shall we continue to speak in our class studies of Brother Russell as the Lord's servant who brought 'meat in due season to the household of faith'? Yes, in deed. Why not?

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower December 15, 1916, p390-394

The great Master laid special emphasis on the Importance of the messenger to the seventh, or Laodicean, period of the Church, saying that such an one would be "a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord would make ruler over all His Household, to give them meat In due season." Those consecrated Christians who have read and fully appreciated the Truth as contained In the preceding six volumes of STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES readily see and agree that Charles Taze Russell was the messenger of the Church of Laodicea.

Source : 🇺🇸 1917 - The Finished Mystery, Publisher's Preface, page 3

In 1879 Charles Taze Russell began the publication of THE WATCH TOWER, of which he was the sole editor as long as he remained on earth. THE WATCH TOWER was, and is, the first and only Journal declaring the presence of the Lord Jesus. Pastor Russell being the messenger to the Laodicean Church, and occupying the position of the Lord's special servant to give the Household of Faith meat In due season. It was to be expected that he would bring forth from the Lord's great "Storehouse" the needed spiritual food for the Church, [...]

Source : 🇺🇸 1917 - The Finished Mystery, Publisher's Preface, page 4

[...] and that the earthly creature made prominent therein above all others to the messenger of the Laodicean Church - "that wise and faithful servant" of the Lord - CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL.

Source : 🇺🇸 1917 - The Finished Mystery, Publisher's Preface, page 5

Therefore we can have now fresh courage and realize to a certainty that the dear Lord has not forsaken us, but has provided for his household meat in due season by that wise and faithful servant, ’Pastor Russell’; and why should we not be thankful and be eager to go ahead with a burning desire to grasp our weapon and go forth to the smiting of Jordan, praising the Lord for this privilege, knowing the kingdom of heaven is AT HAND?"

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watch Tower, January 1 1918, page 12 [6196]

WHAT THE "PENNY’’ SIGNIFIES

"At our Praise meeting tonight the testimonies were full of thanksgiving for this very precious completing volume. The immediate effect of the short time already given to Volume Seven is a heart full of gratitude to God and a reiteration of my consecration to him; also deep thankfulness to our Lord Jesus, who has girded himself during this harvest period and is serving us with so rich a feast culminating in Volume Seven, through that ’faithful servant,’ our beloved Brother Russell (who seems very near to us though parted from us for a brief while}. The preceding six volumes are made still more precious by the possession of the Seventh.

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watch Tower, February 1 1918, [6211]

The blessedness I have experienced since I came to the knowledge of God’s wonderful Present T~uth is due absolutely to the efforts of that "faithful servant" of our Lord, the late Pastor Russell.

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watch Tower, May 1 1918, [6252]

Jesus clearly indicated that during his second presence he would have amongst the church a faithful and wise servant, through whom he would give the household of faith meat in due season. The evidence is overwhelming concerning the Lord's second presence, the time of the harvest and that the office of 'that servant' has been fulfilled by brother Russell. [...] Brother Russell was the Lord's servant. Then to repudiate him and his work is equivalent of the Lord, ...

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower, May 1, 1922, page 132 + Cover

Brother Russell did exercice those very duties of office. This is also completely corroborated by the duties of the same office pointed out by the prophet Ezekiel.-Ezekiel 9:4 [...] because Brother Russell occupied the office of that "faithful and wise servant"

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watch Tower, March 1, 1923, page 71 + Cover

If, then, we believe that the Lord is present, conducting his harvest work and the setting up of his kingdom; if he chose Brother Russell as his "faithful and wise servant" and made him ruler or overseer of his goods; and if Brother Russell, acting under the Lord’." supervision, organized the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society as a vehicle or channel to carry on the proclamation of the message of his kingdom and the feeding of his sheep (thereby looking after the interests of his kingdom), then the conclusion must be that this is the Lord’s way.

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watch Tower, March 1, 1923, page 72 + Cover

Thousands of the readers of Pastor Russell's writings believe that he filled the office of 'that faithful and wise servant.'... His modesty and humility precluded him from openly claiming this title, but he admitted as much in private conversation.

Source : 🇺🇸 1923 - The Divine Plan of the Ages, page 7 + Cover


In 1973 the Watchtower denied that Russell claimed to be the servant Faithful and wise

"From this it is clearly seen that the editor and publisher of Zion's Watch Tower disavowed any claim to being individually, in his person, that "faithful and wise servant. He never did claim to be such.

Source : 🇺🇸 God's Kingdom of a thousand years has approached, 1973, page 346 + Cover

 

⚫ The organization / The anointed (the remnant)

Also that he would have ‘a faithful and wise servant whom he would make ruler over his goods (kingdom interests) to give his people meat in due season’. (Matt. 24:45-47) The word ruler in the above text has the thought of distributor. It is true that there is only one organization on earth today that is “announcing the kingdom of God as the hope of mankind”, and that organization is Jehovah’s faithful and wise servant associated with the Watchtower Bible Society.

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower, July 1 1950, page 202, page 203 + Cover

The “faithful and discreet slave” organization is taking the lead in safeguarding liberty-giving worship. (Matt. 24:45)

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower, December 1 1967, page 733 + Cover

But through the building of factories, and the carrying out of printing activity throughout the earth, whether above ground or underground, the remnant has fulfilled its prophetic mission as “the faithful and discreet slave” by seeing that spiritual provision is made available “at the proper time” for all of God’s household on earth, and this despite bitter opposition in police states.—Matt. 24:45-47.

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower, March 15, 1968 page 171 + Cover

Moreover, they inquire for the right course from the “faithful and discreet slave” organization of Jesus’ anointed followers on earth.

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower, March 15, 1968 page 174 + Cover

I wanted to serve with the Lord’s organized and anointed servants on earth, his “faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45)

Source : 🇺🇸 The watchtower, April 1, 1968, page 219 + Cover

In harmony with that Jesus Christ prophesied that at the time of his second coming and during the time of his invisible presence he would have a “faithful and discreet slave,” whom he would place over all his belongings. All the modern evidence is that he has found this “faithful and discreet slave,” not an individual man, but a composite “slave,” the remnant today of his faithful followers.—Matt. 24:3, 45-47

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower, November 1, 1968, page 656 + Cover

Already close to a million dedicated, baptized worshipers of Jehovah as God have joined the anointed remnant in this modern-day attack on ah false religion. Their cooperation indicates how successful has been the continuous attack carried on by the remnant, Christ’s “faithful and discreet slave.”

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower, November 1, 1968, page 657 + Cover

“Jesus foretold that among his people there would be a “faithful and discreet slave” class who would be providing the spiritual food to God’s family of devoted servants on earth, acting as his channel of communication and overseeing the carrying out of the Kingdom interests worldwide. (Matt. 24:45-47) These anointed overseers serve as though being guided in their activities by the right hand of Christ,”

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower, January 15, 1969, page 51 + Cover

But Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his "faithful and discreet slave", made up of spirit-anointed ones, to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible in their lives. Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do.

Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower, December 1 1981, page 27 + Cover

FDS

The Watchtower, December 15 1971, page 749 + Cover

 

⚫ The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses

 

Who, then, is the faithful and discreet slave? That slave is made up of a small group of anointed brothers who directly prepare and give out spiritual food during Christ’s presence. This is similar to how Jesus fed many through the hands of a few in the first century. Throughout the last days, the anointed brothers who make up the faithful slave have served at headquarters. In recent years, that slave has been the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Note, though, that in his illustration, Jesus said that there would be one “slave.” So the members of the Governing Body make their decisions as a group.

Source : 🇫🇷 The Watchtower, July 15 2013, page 22 + Cover

On page 23, we learn that:

In 1919, Jesus selected qualified anointed brothers from among them to be the faithful and discreet slave and appointed them over his domestics.

Source : 🇫🇷 The Watchtower, July 15 2013, page 23 + Cover

Note that Charles Taze Russell is not one of the "anointed" who distribute food at the proper time (because he died in 1916)

His works are not food prepared by God, which is to be distributed for the servants!

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