Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2021
Friday, September 24, 2021
Mind your own business (1 Thess. 4:11).
The heavenly call is not inherited; it is received from God (1 Thess. 2:12). So let's not ask questions that might make others feel bad. For example, let us never ask the wife of an anointed one how it feels to think of living forever on Earth without her husband. At the end of the day, we are convinced that in the new world Jehovah will satisfy the desire of all living beings (Ps. 145: 16). On the other hand, when we don't treat the anointed as if they are more important than others, we protect ourselves. How? According to the Bible, some anointed ones could become unfaithful (Matt. 25: 10-12; 2 Pet. 2:20, 21). But if we are one of those who do not “admire personalities,” we will never be followers of men, even if they are anointed, well-known, or have served Jehovah for many years (Jud. 16, note). A) Yes, If they become unfaithful or leave the congregation, we will not lose faith or abandon Jehovah. w20.01 29 pars. 9, 10
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 been 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. So the total number includes those who believe they are anointed but are not really. 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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