WHO IS THE FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE?
In Matthew 24:45-51 and Luke 12:42-48, we read Jesus' illustration of the "faithful and wise servant" (KJV). In the Watchtower Society's New World Translation, this is rendered as the "faithful and discreet slave". Many may not realize that this is quite possibly THE KEY POINT to discuss when having a conversation with Jehovah's Witnesses. Why would this seemingly minor point be so important in the minds of a Witness? It is because everything that Jehovah's Witnesses believe as far as doctrine is concerned, hinges on the identity of this "slave". It is usually a rather futile effort to argue with JWs about the Trinity, hellfire, the soul, the heavenly hope for all believers, or any other doctrine, until you prove to the Witness that his Organization has mis-identified the "faithful and discreet slave". Even when you offer Biblical reasons for believing in these doctrines, and have shown evidence that the Witness cannot answer, he will usually remain unconvinced. This is because of what the WT Society has taught him about the "faithful and discreet slave".
Who does the WT Society claim this slave to be? That actually depends on when you ask that question. Charles T. Russell, in the November 1881 issue of The Watchtower (pg. 291), originally identified this "slave" as... "that servant (the whole body of Christ)". In other words, it was believed that the "slave" was the entire Christian congregation, collectively. Later on, the Society began to teach that the "slave" was not a group of Christians, but a particular man, namely Charles T. Russell. The following quote can be found in The Watch Tower, (March 1, 1917, page 6049 Society's reprints)....
"The Watch Tower unhesitatingly proclaims brother Russell as 'that faithful and wise servant.'"
This was taught for a number of years. The Society today tries to soften this teaching somewhat by claiming that Russell himself never claimed this, but that it was believed by some of the Bible Students (as JWs were called at that time). The problem is, the Watch Tower magazine itself had proclaimed Russell as that slave in the issue mentioned above. As the editor of the Watch Tower, Russell had full and complete control of what was printed in his magazine. Had he not have held to this view, he certainly would have prevented it from being published. Although Russell technically never claimed such a title in public, he did, in private conversations state that he thought that it was a "reasonable" view. Then, in 1927, the Society received "new light" and returned to the earlier teaching that the "faithful and wise servant" was the Christian congregation. Today, the WT teaches that the "slave" is made up of all the remaining "anointed class" (144,000), and represented by the Governing Body. Since there are only a few thousand of this "anointed class" still alive, and the numbers are diminshing rapidly, we may expect another "adjustment" in the Society's teaching as to the identity of the "faithful and discreet" slave when this class dies out. Before examining whether or not the WT Society can rightfully claim to be the "slave", let us discuss what the Society has said about this "slave", and why it is so important to Jehovah's Witnesses to identify the "slave".
The reason it so crucial for the average JW to have a correct understanding of the "faithful and discreet slave" is because he has been taught that his very salvation depends on it! He must identify this "slave" and faithfully follow its teachings. Concerning the "slave", the Society had this to say....
"The fact is, many things are needed to be a real Christian....a Christian has to recognize the AUTHORITY of the "faithful and discreet slave." (The Watchtower, October 1, 1991, pg. 20). In the AWAKE! (October 8, 1991, pg. 13), we read the following: "Thus, we are enlightened by God's answers to present-day problems, answers that reveal where we are in the stream of time and how we can successfully plan for the future. Those answers come to us through the channel of "the faithful and discreet anointed slave" class, WHICH USES THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY AS ITS PUBLISHING AGENCY."
And all this time I thought reading the Bible, God's Word, would provide the answers we need! Not so, at least according to the Watchtower. Consider this amazing statement....
"It is unlikely that someone who simply reads the Bible WITHOUT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF DIVINELY PROVIDED AIDS could discern the light. That is why Jehovah God has provided "the faithful and discreet slave", foretold at Matthew 24:45-47. Today, that "slave" is represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses." (The Watchtower, May 1, 1992, pg. 31).
Just what are these so-called "divinely provided aids" that are necessary for us? Why, the Society's publications, of course! According to them, God's INSPIRED Word isn't sufficient to help us see "the light". We need man's UNINSPIRED books and magazines for that! The Bible disagrees, however. In 2 Timothy 3:15, we are told that the Scriptures "are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
This statement, made by the Watchtower Society, should jar any thinking JW to his senses! Just so there is no misunderstanding regarding the importance of the "slave", the Society went on to say: "Let all zealously continue to support the faithful and discreet slave. IT IS ONLY BY DOING THIS that someday very soon all sheeplike ones will be able to hear the happy words: 'Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom...'" (The Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1993, pg. 18). Just to summarize what we have read, the Jehovah's Witness must:
A. Correctly identify the "faithful and discreet slave" as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
B. Recognize the "slave's" authority over him.
C. Look to this "slave" for correct Bible teaching.
D. Believe that following the "slave" is necessary for everlasting life.
This is why Christians usually find arguing doctrinal points with JWs so futile. Since you are not the "faithful and discreet slave", you cannot "discern the light" of the Scripture, and therefore, anything you say from the Bible must be wrong. Any interpretation of Scripture you present that differs from the Society's view, is immediately rejected, no matter how logical or accurate your reasoning is. The Society must be right because it is the "slave" that Jehovah God speaks through, and uses to dispense "meat in due season". In order for a JW to question the doctrines of the WT Society, he must first be shown that the Society is not, and in fact, CANNOT be the "faithful and discreet slave" that Jesus spoke about. Only then will he be open to re-examining his doctrinal beliefs. Failure to recognize this one point has led to a great deal of frustration for Christians who try to correct the doctrinal beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. After showing the JW many passages of Scripture which contradict the Watchtower's teachings, all to no avail, the Christian often wonders...."Why can't these people see the obvious?" Herein lies the problem. The JW is trained to mentally reject any Bible teaching that does not come from the "slave".
IS THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY REALLY THE "SLAVE"?
The answer to this question is "no", for a number of reasons. Even if the "faithful and discreet slave" were a religious organization (and it isn't, as will be shown in a moment), it is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE that the Watchtower Society could be it. Please consider the reasons why:
1. The WT Society hasn't been faithful. This would certainly be a requirement for being the "faithful slave". Instead, we see that the WT Society has a history of changing doctrines, false prophecies, cover-ups, ridiculous and dangerous medical teachings, etc. None of these things are marks of a "slave" that is true to Jehovah God. The Society has made false predictions for the years 1914, 1918, 1925, 1975, etc. NONE of these predictions have EVER come to pass. Not even one! Deuteronomy 18:21-24 tells us how to react to a person or group that falsely prophesies. Does it tell us to set them up as a "slave" from which we derive our Bible teachings? No, it tells us that we are not to fear them, because they are a false prophet.
2. The WT Society itself has changed its mind 3 times about the identity of the "faithful and discreet slave". First, it was the Christian congregation, then it was C.T. Russell, then the Christian congregation again, and finally, it is the 144,000 as represented by the Governing Body. How can we positively identify them as the "slave", when they are obviously so confused about it themselves?
Another point that is somewhat related to this is the WT teaching about the so-called 1919 "appointment". The 1919 "appointment", according to official WT teaching, is that in the year 1919, Jesus Christ Himself conducted an investigation into all of the Christian religions to see which of these was acting as a "faithful slave" and "distributing meat in due season". After careful examination of the teachings of all the Christian churches, Jesus concluded that the Watchtower was indeed the selected and approved "slave", due to the "meat" that they were providing.
At that point, so the teaching goes, Jesus decided to use the Watchtower exclusively as His sole "channel of communication" to provide spiritual food for God's people. It was at this time, according to the Society, that the Watchtower was selected as the "faithful and discreet slave class".
2 very critical points need to be brought out about this so-called "appointment". First, we must ask: "What teachings of the Watchtower did Jesus find so impressive, that He put His stamp of approval on them, to the exclusion of all the others?"
One of the latest doctrinal books published by the Watchtower was a book entitled "The Finished Mystery" (1917). This book contained many ridiculous and outright humorous teachings, and I will list a few:
a. In 1918, God was going to destroy churches and church members by the millions, and Christendom would fall in that year.
b. The year 1920 would bring world-wide anarchy.
c. Christ's invisible "presence" had taken place in 1874.
d. The "Behemoth" of Job 40 was the steam engine. Its loins were the boiler plates and its tail represented the smokestack.
e. The "Leviathan" of Job 41 represented the steam locomotive, with its tongue being the coupling link.
f. The "voice" mentioned in Rev. 9:13 represented William Miller, the Adventist, who had predicted Christ to return in 1843, and then again in 1844.
g. Michael the Archangel and his angels were actually the Pope of Rome and his bishops. (Today, JWs believe that Michael the Archangel is actually Jesus Christ. It is a little hard to trust a religion to tell us who Jesus is, when they get him confused with the Pope!)
h. The 1600 furlongs of Rev. 14:20 represented the distance from Scranton, Pennsylvania (where The Finished Mystery was authored) to Brooklyn, New York (headquarters of the Watchtower Society). However, to obtain this mileage, it was necessary that you travel by way of the Lackawanna Railroad and the Hoboken Ferry.
i. The 7 volumes of C.T. Russel's Studies In the Scriptures were the 7 angels mentioned in Rev. 15:1.
j. The Lord assumed an interest in and responsibility for the Studies In the Scriptures. ( I seriously doubt it.)
(This information taken from the book Witnesses of Jehovah, by Leonard and Marjorie Chretien, pg. 64-65).
The average JW today would respond by saying that the WT no longer teaches these things because the "light has gotten brighter". These are, however, the teachings that Jesus Christ would have found in 1919 when He conducted His investigation. How can any THINKING person believe that Jesus would have selected a group teaching these ridiculous doctrines, to be His "faithful and discreet slave" to "provide meat in due season"?
The second point that needs to made about this 1919 "appointment" is that the Society teaches that, in this year, Jesus selected, approved, and identified a "faithful and wise servant class". Notice especially the word "CLASS".
This is a problem, as former Governing Body member Raymond Franz points out in his book Crisis of Conscience (pg. 359-360), because the very ones who were supposedly chosen as the "faithful and wise servant class" at this time (1919), believed that the "faithful and wise servant" was not a class but an individual, namely, Charles T. Russell. As pointed out earlier, the Watchtower taught that Russell himself was the "slave" until 1927, but they now say that they themselves were appointed as the "slave class" in 1919. Just think, they were Christ's chosen "faithful and discreet slave" for 8 years, and didn't even know it!
3. The Biblical account of the "faithful and discreet slave" reveals that it is not a religious organization at all, but rather , it is an admonition from Christ for EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN to remain faithful to God. In Luke's account, this can clearly be seen by examining the WHOLE CONTEXT of the passage in Luke 12:36-48. In verses 36-37, we find plural descriptions of the "slave" such as "men", "they", "servants", "them", and "those servants". This clearly shows there is more than one "servant", which is consistent with the "faithful and discreet slave" representing all Christians. In verse 41, Peter asks Jesus whether this parable applied only to them, "or even unto all". Jesus answered Peter by saying in verses 42-43 that the "faithful and discreet slave" was the follower of Christ who is faithfully sharing the gospel message with others when He returns.
Christians are elsewhere referred to as the "salt of the earth", meaning that we are to be effective witnesses for Christ. Another point about the "faithful and discreet slave" that the JWs never seem to consider is that the "slave" can become EVIL. In verses 45-46, we read....
"But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers."
It is very important to note that the good "slave" is NOT a different person than the evil "slave". Verse 45 makes this clear. It is a reminder of how important it is to stay faithful to Christ, no matter how faithful we have been in the past.
Sadly, JWs who believe the "faithful and discreet slave" is the WT leaders, won't even consider that the teachings of their religious organization may be evil. They simply assume that since Jesus Himself selected the Watchtower as His "slave", then they should simply accept anything the Society teaches as "meat in due season". Though they don't like to admit this, it is still the truth. Whenever the WT Society decides (or is forced) to change a teaching, or when a prophecy fails, or when a new teaching is introduced, JWs simply accept it as "new light", coming from Jehovah God through His "faithful and discreet slave". How very different this is from the advice we find in Acts 17:11 to "search the Scriptures daily" to see "whether those things were so.", and the counsel given in 1 John 4:1, where we are admonished... "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because MANY FALSE PROPHETS ARE GONE OUT INTO THE WORLD." How do we "try the spirits"? By the UNCHANGING Word of God! The WT Society, rather than being the "faithful and discreet slave" of Jehovah God, has instead, by its record of failed prophecies, proven to be one of the "many false prophets" which have "gone out into the world". The Bible commands us NOT to believe them, but to test them by God's Word. The WT has changed many times, but God's Word is unchanging.
Although the Society would normally disagree that the "faithful and discreet slave" refers to every individual Christian, they actually admitted it in the book Our Incoming World Government-God's Kingdom on pages 158-159... "The King Jesus Christ detests lukewarm service, half-hearted attention.....This vital point is emphasized by Jesus Christ in the illustrations of the "faithful and discreet slave" and "that evil slave," the illustrations that he gave right after urging his disciples to "prove themselves ready" at all times. (Matthew 24:45-51). There is a grand reward reserved for CHRIST'S DISCIPLES WHO PROVE THEMSELVES TO BE FAITHFUL, DISCREET AND LOVING SLAVES OF HIS, uncompromisingly devoted to his handling of the promised world government."
It seems the Scriptures can be made to mean whatever the WT Society needs them to mean at any given time!
4. Also, if the "slave" were actually the 144,000 "anointed" Christians represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, this would present a real problem. Supposing the "faithful and discreet slave" DID become evil (as Jesus said could certainly happen), then this would leave Jesus Christ without a "slave" to provide "meat in due season". Who then, would He use? This is no problem, if we understand this "slave" to refer to individual Christians, because even if one did turn his back on God, there would be many others who didn't. If this "slave" is limited in the way the WT Society limits it, however, there would be NO SLAVE LEFT if the current group were to cease to be "faithful". Also, one must ask the question... "Who was the 'slave' prior to 1879? Did Jesus not have a 'slave' before the WT came along?"
These, and other serious problems, should demonstrate to the honest-hearted person that the Watchtower Society is NOT, and CANNOT be the "faithful and discreet slave" that Jesus spoke about. If this is true, do you really want to entrust your spiritual lives to them? Jesus Christ desires that you come to Him in faith, and receive the free gift of eternal life. No Organization is necessary for eternal life. In fact, no Organization CAN give you eternal life. Only Jesus Christ can do that. He promised that anyone who comes to Him, "He will in no wise cast them out".
