DANSK DANISH     NORWEGIAN NORSK     SVENSK SWEDISH LETTER FROM ACTIVE AND INCREASING "ANOINTED ONES" WORKING AMONG JWs COMES AT START OF 2010 Is there or is there going to be a spiritual "Civil War" among JWs, those battling for Watchtower's Governing Body and its "angel" while the rest battle for Christ?  Will there be post 2014 schisms?  For the past several years the number and percent of those partaking as anointed among JWs has been dramatically on the rise, like warriors rushing out and forth to battle more in the open.  Let all readers take note and feel invited to share in distributing copies as the following says.  FROM ANOINTED BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO OUR OTHER BELOVED JEHOVAH’S WITNESS BROTHERS AND SISTERS This is mostly to remind you and others getting copies of this, and still others whom we’d like you to pass copies on to, that at least for now (January 2010) the Watchtower Society still officially states that “for necessary family matters,” it is possible for you and others to speak with disfellowshipped persons.  Though this loophole provision permits many who are still JWs to phone and speak with those who are disfellowshipped, disassociated or declared no longer a JW about “necessary family matters” such as health, the making of wills, etc, for example at least once a month, many JWs choose on their own to not do so even for decades and unto death likely because (1) willingly going rigidly in line with counsel given them by others inclined to be extra harsh in interpreting “necessary family matters” or (2) being not fully informed or misinformed.  However, remember that until a clear written statement may be published for example in the Watchtower's "Questions From Readers," it indeed is allowable. Headquarters has been finding that there is the potential for very expensive litigation and much bad press from too harsh, misapplication of the disfellowshipping (also regarding anti-higher education policies etc), items about such things going into Letters-To-The Editor, feature articles, etc.  On the other hand some in the hierarchy including on the Governing Body are said to want to clamp down farther on those no longer JWs, and we are told may come out with an article telling JWs that those who continue to speak with formerly associated as JWs are "no better than Canaanites."  If that happens, those active JWs who do continue to so associate by phoning etc will probably not be officially disfellowshipped or declared no longer JWs but nevertheless may thus ultimately be unofficially shunned.  Still, though, it has not yet happened. This may sound crazy and hard to believe, as it did to us, too, but please realize that we are fast approaching the year 2014, the 100th anniversary of the "marked year" of 1914.  Watchtower for nearly a century declared that the generation alive in 1914 would see the End, that is Armageddon followed by paradise.  It is now paranoid because caught in a trap of its own making.  It is for example fearful about those who may loudly and openly or more quietly but strongly dissent, protesting about the misprediction, etc, by letters to others in their congregations.  Even words in the new song book being sung in 2010 have been changed, shockingly worded to now insist we look to the Watchtower Governing Body and its appointed elders instead of Christ.  The Governing Body had it published in 2009 that it, not anointed Christians in general, is to be listened to.  None of the Presidents of its now many corporations and the worldwide Governing Body (Don A. Adams) are anointed. It is extremely late in the ballgame but we are also farther told by friends who attended a meeting with Governing Body members in 2009 that in 2010 the word is to go out that the generation of 1914 did not see the End but did see "the beginning of the End."  Still, they know from the '75 fiasco that this may not slow those who will leave after 2014 and as said, they most of all fear those leaving will inform those still within, possibly even form some new reform group or groups.  Some of those might even insist that the anti-blood transfusions doctrine and the policy of also sending pedophiles to doors is not Christian.  You may wonder why the Governing Body does not do more to amend the problems destroying the Watchtower Society.  The Governing Body’s main clique has men who insist they are guided “rightly” by one of the twenty-four angels seated at the throne in heaven.  Yes, hard to believe, but our source is not only absolutely truthful but is backed up by other friends and rare statements in past Watchtower publications going back many decades. Coming back to how to handle the disfellowshipping issue, so far the choice is still ultimately your own as to what extent and in which direction you choose to apply the “necessary family matters” option, harsh and ultra-conservatively, liberal and generously, or possibly somewhere between the two.  As said, other factors are also playing out in the background, so please also keep an extra close eye and sharp ear out for yourself and all your loved ones.  You may find it good to mail along some copies of this to various elders and others.  Many of us do not use email. With Sincere Best Wishes about this reminder, and writing on behalf of several other anointed Brothers And Sisters in good standing, Your Anointed Brother Gabriel Michaels  Ref: So far entering 2010, the manual for elders alone is titled Pay Attention to Yourselves and all the Flock and p.103 reads "Normally, a close relative would not be disfellowshipped for associating with a disfellowshipped person unless there is spiritual association or an effort made to justify or excuse the wrongful course." The September 15, 1981 Watchtower magazine provides the basis for Judicial practices regarding communication with family members.  If a disfellowshipped family member lives out of the home, the article limits communications to "care of necessary family matters" and states family members "should strive to avoid needless association."  The way and extent to which parents (or others) may apply striving or define “needless association" is also a matter of choice. The Pay Attention... elders’ manual references this 1981 Watchtower as its only source, outside the Bible, for guidance on this matter (Watchtower magazine of September 1, 1981 pages 20-31"; Pay Attention p. 103) P.S. Friends tell us Headquarters recently formally applied to build a new complex at Warwick outside NYC. ...

THE ANOINTED AMONG JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES Among the different branches of Christianity over the past two thousand years there have been persons known at death from their good fruitage after becoming Christians to have been anointed, selected by our Father in heaven to serve with Christ. While some look at the Watchtower Society, shake their heads and say surely there are no Christians left in that cult of darkness, the Watchtower Society's heads on its top Governing Body know full well that anointed friends indeed are in their midst.  At that, many more than they would like. It is true that Revelation 18:4 urges Christians to get out of Babylonishly wicked cults like Watchtower, but since Watchtower is so dark, the anointed often wish to try to stay in as long as possible in order to protect the innocent ones such as naive persons and the little ones whom Satan would otherwise harm all the worse. Although they may stay in the Watchtower, their staying in it is only "nominal."  In reality they are mentally and emotionally totally out of Watchtower.  Their being secret Christians for Christ instead of pro-Watchtower is remindful of how Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were also "secret believers."  All through the past 2,000 years there have also been secret believers, most being so in lands of the worst tribulation, today for example being mostly in lands where anti-Christian extremists cut off the heads of Christian converts and active Christians.  In pre-Christian times prophets sought safety when necessary; in Christian times it should be no surprise that precautions are also properly taken. When the memorial of the Last Supper approaches among JWs many of the anointed partake unseen.  They go to the kingdom hall but do not visibly partake there.  Instead they may partake unseen, spiritually within there, then later literally do so, or even wait until a different date to do so.  Even in ancient Judaism it was permitted to observe Passover on a different date if truly necessary. Some of the anointed consider each or most meals as times for also solemnly remembering what Christ did for themselves and all humanity.  Even if not literally partaking of strictly wine and strictly literal unleavened bread, they can partake spiritually. So, it is true that there are anointed about Jehovah's Witnesses.  Watchtower knows this and fears it.  For them and their appointed elders to touch the eyeball of an anointed person, that is to harrass one of the brothers and sisters of Christ, is a horrendous act felt at once by our Father in heaven.  Yet it is being done, and all the more so as 2014 approaches, and for some time thereafter, too. Watchtower would like to get as many as possible of those who have partaken in recent years to renounce their having the heavenly hope.  Pressures, often of the worst kind, will be brought to bear.  Some will leave the Watchtower but in doing so they are not renouncing Christ in the least.  In fact those going from Watchtower are standing taller than ever for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Sticking and standing with Christ, not Watchtower, is the real and ultimate test.  Watchtower cannot and will not understand that for it is not with God Almighty.  It prefers a false angel of light. Now, to answer a few other questions that may be on your mind, how, for example, does an "anointed" person know he or she is anointed?  The answer is that God's own Holy Spirit cries out with the person's own spirit.  But this needs clarified some.  Namely, the person literally feels God's spirit move within him, or her.  However, it is not until death, and all that was to be written of the person's doings in the book of life, that it is a sealed fact that he or she is proved faithful, and so shown for sure that he or she was not only anointed but stayed so, and is so. If you ask a person if he or she is anointed, he or she can answer yes, but he or she cannot say if he or she will stay so.  Only God knows the future.  And there is another reason why some of the anointed do not partake of the emblems at the once a year observances of the Memorial (Last Supper) attended by Jehovah's Witnesses.  The personal conscience of many (not all but many) says it would not be humble for themselves to be partaking openly.  They know that many (not all) JWs think that those who partake are phony, mentally off or even arrogant, that is that they are the opposite of humble brothers and sisters of Christ. Contrary to what many are led to misbelieve from Watchtower articles and elders, anointed brothers and sisters of Christ among JWs are free to differ in views etc, their "unity" being by 100% genuine LOVE (Colossians 3:14), not robotic, even Satanic, sameness of views on all topics.  Where Christ is in truth there too is Christian freedom. Our beloved brother, Paul, has noted at Colossians 14:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Brothers and Sisters, if you too put Christ ahead of all including the most anti-Christ directives from the Watchtower Society's head men, doing so no matter what, then you too are anointed Christians.

WHO “THE ANOINTED” ARE Since Revelation is symbolic and Revelation 19:1 clearly says "a great crowd" go to heaven, the 144,000 number (Re 7:4, 14:1) for those whom God anoints (chooses) for service with Christ in heaven may also be a symbolic number just as are other numbers such as ten and twelve in Revelation. So God may be taking to heaven exactly 144,000, fewer than that number, or a far greater number, say, hundreds of millions or billions. The truth of the matter is that the Bible does not clearly say.  We are told though that those who are anointed to go to heaven, while on earth are known by fruits of God's Spirit such as great love, joy and peace. The anointed put service to humanity and God Almighty Himself above any fleshly desires like prominence and money, are orderly but Spirited people; not egotistical, jealous or stirring up competitions (Ga 5:22-6).  Thus, their worship stays unadulterated, that is unmixed with worship to other than to God.  (Revelation 14:4)  God chooses people for heaven with Jesus Christ because, as true of His beloved Son, the faith in their hearts in Himself is greater than their faith in human organizations, friends or family.   A common fallacy is to think they are chosen because perfect.  Only Christ was born and stayed perfect.   Paul wasn't perfect, nor Peter, nor any other apostle, although Christ-like enough that they are rightly called saints. The anointed are obedient to God and willing to give up their own lives as Christ did out of love if it becomes necessary.  No man has greater love than this. (John 15: 13) They are well-balanced people who strongly believe in what is right regarding the treatment of others, as said, though, even willing to lose their lives to do what's right and loving, including sometimes for persons they have never before met or may not seem deserving of such love. After all, Christ died so that ALL might enjoy the hope of resurrection. (John 3:16)  And also like the Christ those who serve with him from heaven follow the Father's light and enjoy working to heal, comfort and build up other people of earth's different nations. (Revelation 22:1-6) They are taken in a twinkle of the eye upon death to heaven not to vacation or just play music on harps but to inherit kingdom service from there with Christ.  Many are called but few are chosen.  Many become Christians but few are chosen to follow the Lamb even to, if necessary, give up their very lives for others. (Mt 22:14)  Now you know who the anointed or chosen ones are.  If you are at a gathering for remembering the Last Supper, communion, commemorate if you feel worthy.   Of course you may wonder as to how you can know if you are "worthy" to partake of the emblems or not. Worthiness is not based on your being perfect, for you aren't, but it is something you should feel free to do if you are not grieviously offending God's Holy Spirit, say, by having committed murder or seriously harmed a child. (Mark 3:28) It is also not based upon how many fine works you have done (Ephesians 2:8-9), for there are many who do fine or super great works but are not anointed.  And yet, though works are a requirement Christians are still to try to be like Christ in showing love, joy etc that tends to spark the same in others.  Faith is dead if a person is physically and mentally able to show kindness and yet he or she refuses to do so. (James 2:24) It is based on your feeling that you are trying to be as much like Christ as possible, although imperfect; that your conduct is not too terribly bad at all and although possibly not being or feeling you are the best about it, yet you are giving onto others love, joy and other good fruitage. (Ga 5:22)  From before your birth God has known you (Jeremiah 1:5).  He has known if you would stay faithful to Him even in the moment of the final greatest of tests. Might you be wrong and not be anointed?  That is possible, for you can't be absolutely sure however much you may feel so as to how you will do through to the very end.  Only God can know the future for certain including how you will stand up faithfully for Him.  Still, if basically trying to be like Christ and not doing any wrongs that are grievious to God's Holy Spirit (Mark 3:28, Ephesians 4:30), then you are not wrong to feel you are worthy as a sincere Christian to partake in union with Christ, that is as anointed, although to be bragging about it would be extremely unseemly and also might not wind up being true. Peter just knew he would never deny the Christ, and yet he did so not once but three times within a single day.  We should therefore simply partake and pray humbly that we will continue to be counted worthy of doing so.   We are naturally and daily tested by the world we live in as to our remaining with Christ.   All humans have weaknesses, sin and fall, but yet because of Christ's ransom sacrifice we are declared okay so long as we pick ourselves up and keep trying. So now you know who the anointed are.  You may be rubbing shoulders with them.  They may be your parents or among your best friends.   You may even be one of the anointed and right in feeling that you yourself surely are provided you are not just a Christian in name but in innermost heartfelt sincerity.  However, even at that, only God knows absolutely for sure so it is good to not boast but rather to show that it is the case by the good fruitage seen, doing so now and forever.....  Amen.

REVELATION’S 144,000 ANOINTED CHRISTIANS Some take the 144,000 to be a literal number even though other numbers used in Revelation are symbolic.  However most say that since Revelation is a symbolic book, the 144,000 number is likely also symbolic, possibly standing for a much greater number.  A very few think it may stand for even fewer than that number. Since, for example, Isaiah 6:13 says “And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land," still another theory is that the 144,000 equals a tenth of the whole number of those going to heaven.”  This would mean the number is actually 1,440,000.  The one-tenth remnant might, in such a theory equal to those who lived and died as literal Jews, the other nine-tenths being Christians. So there are all kinds of theories.  Possibly none are correct.  That’s being honest and won’t please those readers who want to “know” things for certain while here alive in the flesh rather than before hopefully being informed when with Christ.  Regardless of however “many” go to heaven with Christ, though, we do know their lives are like lights that cannot be hidden even if beneath a basket set atop a mountain.  Their anointing is not literal oil but the oil of loving-kindness reflective of Christ, the Father and Holy Spirit.  They are known by their fruits such as love, joy and peace. (Galatians 5:22) For example, because Christ says to love even your enemies, they actually do try to do so, although sometimes, as with Christ’s rightfully tossing out the money-changers in the Temple, there’s still a time and place for everything, including a strong defense of the faith. Paul and the other apostles are certainly in heaven.  They weren’t perfect when in the flesh, but were certainly devoted to only the Lamb Of God, Jesus Christ, in that they followed him not what some other imperfect humans or their own less than perfect inclinations offered. The ransom sacrifice of Christ, not any number of works or significant attainments etc, provide the good news of the hope for resurrection.  Still, for Christians, deeds of loving-kindness are highly natural.  Christ literally provided fish and bread for crowds numbering in the thousands.  He also helped those with health problems.  Apostles did similarly.  Modern true Christians do such things, too. So, since you are curious as to who the anointed are or even if yourself may be anointed for heaven, as Christ said, look for those doing His Father’s will.  Above all we are to show true love for God, and we are also to show neighborly love for others.  Above all the anointed do the work of evangelizers but know well that words alone are not witness enough, but actual hands-on kindness is far more effective, that being seen with Christ himself. God already knows even from before birth of persons who the anointed are, how they will prove to have done.  Still, while in the flesh those who feel they might be anointed cannot be totally sure, and well know they too are imperfect, and humility is always good in any case.  Doing the Father’s will and not boasting of oneself, but rather leaving others to figure out if one’s life fits or appears to have fit the description or not, is what is best.  In any case, what’s important is that God really does know for sure.

DO ANY BEFORE CHRIST - LIKE ABRAHAM - ALSO GO TO HEAVEN? Besides those who are Christians might faithful Jewish patriarchs also go to heaven?  We read that while on earth Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were “longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.... These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Heb 11:8-16, 39, 40)  Jesus Christ noted that "many from eastern parts and western parts will come and recline at the table with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of the heavens....."  (Mat 8:11, 12) So, now, you answer!  As seen by such scriptures, what is the Bible's own clear-cut answer?  Christ himself was born and raised Jewish.  Judaism, as with Christianity, has had some good, many average, and some bad branches.  The choosing of whom God will resurrect or not is up to God, and His hands are not tied by the biases of any of the different religions.  There will be many from both East and West in the kingdom.

“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” (2 Corinthians 5:1) 

“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (Hebrews 3:1) 

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6) 

"As for us, our citizenship exists in the heavens" (Phillippians 3:20).