Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2021
Thursday, August 26, 2021
He who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who acts humbly will be exalted (Matt. 23:12).
How should we treat anointed brothers and sisters? It is wrong to admire too much someone, even an anointed one, a brother of Christ (Matt. 23: 8-11). When speaking of elders, the Bible says, "They imitate their faith," but it does not say that we become followers of some human being (Heb. 13: 7). True, it also says that some Christians are "worthy of double honor." But it is not because they are anointed, but because they “lead the congregation well” and “work hard speaking and teaching” (1 Tim. 5:17). If we give too much praise or attention to the anointed, we could make them uncomfortable or, worse still, make the fact of being anointed go to their heads (Rom. 12: 3). And do we not want to contribute to an anointed one making such a serious mistake? (Luke 17: 2). w20.01 29 par. 8
What has been happening to the number of participants in the Memorial?
Years ago, the number of those who participated in bread and wine at the Memorial continued to decline. But, in recent years, the number has not stopped increasing. Should we be concerned about this? No. Let's look at several factors that will help us understand why.
Why should we not be concerned with the number of those who partake of the bread and wine?
"Jehovah knows those who belong to him" (2 Tim. 2:19). Jehovah knows who are truly anointed, but the brothers who during the Memorial count those who eat the bread and drink the wine do not know. Therefore, the total number includes those who believe that they are anointed but in reality they are not. Some who used to participate no longer do so. And others believe that they will rule with Christ in heaven due to emotional or mental problems. So we don't know exactly how many anointed ones are left on Earth.
Does the Bible say how many anointed will be left on earth when the great tribulation begins?
There will be anointed in many parts of the earth when Jesus comes to take them to heaven (Matt. 24:31). It is true that the Bible implies that in the last days there will still be a small number of anointed ones on earth (Rev. 12:17). But it doesn't say how many will be left when the great tribulation begins.
What does Romans 9:11, 16 teach us about the selection of the anointed?
Jehovah is the one who decides when he calls his anointed (Rom. 8: 28-30). Jehovah began to choose the anointed ones after the resurrection of Jesus. Apparently, in the first century, all true Christians were anointed. But, in later centuries, most of those who claimed to be Christians were actually not. Still, during that time, Jehovah anointed the few true Christians there were. They were like the wheat that Jesus said would grow among the weeds (Matt. 13: 24-30). During the last days, Jehovah has continued to choose those who will be among the 144,000. * So if God calls some anointed ones just before the end, who are we to question his decision? (Read Romans 9:11, 16.) * We don't want to react like the workers Jesus spoke of in a parable,
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