Are You Most Loyal To God Or An Organization -- Which?
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:28 pm
ARE YOU MOST LOYAL TO GOD OR AN ORGANIZATION -- WHICH?
The following article is an excerpt from The "Report" Volume I. pages 149-152.
[See blog with graphics at: http://www.singnewsong.com/loyal.html]
Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines a "loyal" person as being one who is:
"faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government; faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due."
Yes, an individual who is "loyal" is `faithful in his allegiance to his sovereign.' He shows `fidelity to the one whom it is most due.' Therefore, in view of this definition, would you say that you are a loyal person, that is to Jehovah God, the Sovereign of the Universe? But before you answer that question, let us notice an interesting situation that tested the loyalty of Christians, many years ago. As pointed out by the Watchtower magazine, in their August 15, 1990 issue, the experience is given of Emperor Constantius I who had great respect for Christians. However, in order to test the loyalty of Christians, particularly those attached to his palace, he told them they could remain in his service only if they agreed to "sacrifice to idols." And if they refused . . . then "vengeance at his hand." Now that was quite a test, wouldn't you say? Nevertheless, he had a particular aim in putting this test upon those Christians. And what was that?
A SIMPLE TEST
Well, the Watchtower magazine explains:
"By this simple ploy, Constantius wanted to identify those who would never compromise their loyalty. Those who proved loyal to God and his principles were retained in the emperor's service, some even becoming trusted counselors. Those disloyal to God's commands were ignominiously dismissed." — See Watchtower 8/15/90, pg. 12, 11.
What a shrewd test! Yes, he wanted to see who would remain loyal or "faithful" to Jehovah God. Would they obey or not? Would they remain "loyal" to God's Laws? Would they stay completely free of idolatry, or emperor worship? This is what he wanted to know. And after determining who was really obedient, the emperor `dismissed all who disloyally disobeyed God's Commands.' However, he promoted many of those who refused to participate in this act of treason against God. In other words, he dismissed all "apostates," or those who participated in Apostasy against God. What a switch!
And so we see by his use of this simple but revealing test, the emperor was able to successfully identify those who were really "loyal". Yes, the ones who would be ready to `lay their life on the line,' if necessary, in order to remain "faithful" to Jehovah, their true "sovereign." This test clearly illustrates that sometimes a Christian can be tested in a most unique way, in an unexpected way, to find out if he is really "loyal" to his Creator or not. Remember, for those who capitulated, it demonstrated to the king that they were not "loyal" to Jehovah, the Person they claimed to worship and put first in all things. Then, of course, after seeing their disloyalty to their God, how could the king believe that they would remain completely "loyal" to him, in a secondary sense, that is, if the right amount of pressure were put upon them to do otherwise. He would have to conclude, yes be forced to conclude, that these same so-called Christians would, in the end, compromise again if enough pressure were put upon them!
THE "HOUR OF TEST" FOR CHRISTIANS UPON US
But wait! There is a serious problem facing God's servants today. Yes, one that will test the loyalty of all who call themselves "Jehovah's Witnesses." But what is that?
Well, Jesus foretold this critical "test" for all Christians, in our day and time, by accurately predicting a similar situation. Speaking directly to the "Angel of the Philadelphia Congregation," Jesus said at Revelation 3:10:
"Because you kept the word about my endurance, I will also keep you from the hour of test, which is to come upon the whole inhabited earth, to put a test upon those dwelling on the earth."
"Impossible!" you say. "No such test will come upon God's Name People, Jehovah's Witnesses..." you say. Well, even though you may initially feel this way before reading this article, please keep in mind that God's Word never fails, it is sure to come to pass. Actually, "tests" are nothing new for God's people. They have been "tested" many, many times, in the past, in the case of their "loyalty."
JEHOVAH "TESTS" HIS PEOPLE AT TIMES
For example: Wasn't it a "test" when Jehovah Himself put the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad" in the middle of the garden. Yes, it was a "test" since Adam and Eve had the freedom to "eat" from it, if they so chose. Yes, it was a "test" for them. It would prove whether or not they would be obedient to Jehovah's stated Commands. It would prove whether they were "loyal" or not. — Genesis 2:15-17
Further, Jehovah Himself tested the Israelites in the wilderness as recorded at Deuteronomy 8:2, 3 which says:
"And you must remember all the way that Jehovah your God made you walk these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, to put you to the test so as to know what was in your heart, as to whether you would keep his commandments or not. So he humbled you and let you go hungry and fed you with the manna, which neither you had known nor your fathers had known; in order to make you know that not by bread alone does man live but by every expression of Jehovah's mouth does man live."
Yes, Jehovah God Himself puts his people "to the test" at times, to see what is really in their hearts. He wanted to see if they would remain obedient to His Commandments or not. He wanted to see if they would remain "faithful" to their "Sovereign," the one to whom they owed their "allegiance" and honor. He wanted to see if they were truly "loyal."
At this point, we want to make a distinction, between "testing" individuals and "tempting" them. No, Jehovah does not "tempt" man toward sin. Neither does Jehovah `try men with evil things.' He will not place a wicked or evil thing right in front of a man in order to "try" him or "tempt" him toward sin. No, but this is the type of ploy that Satan often uses. (James 1:13, 14) However, even in these cases, Jehovah will allow the person to be "tried" by the evil thing, in order to see if he will, when tempted, remain "loyal." An excellent way to understand the differences in the two situations is this: Jehovah planted the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad" in the middle of the Garden and told man not to eat from it. But Satan took it further. He suggested to Eve that she should eat from it since breaking God's Law would, in the end, prove beneficial to herself and her family. Yes, he went so far as to make the idea attractive to her. He told her how her `eyes were bound to become opened and she would be just like Jehovah, knowing Good and Bad.' What an awful thing to do! Nevertheless, do we see the difference? Yes, Jehovah would not do such a thing. That would be "tempting" the person with the evil thing.
However, a "test" can really be a good thing. For example: What wise instructor or school teacher do we know that does not, from time to time, give "exams," " or "tests," if you will, to see how his or her students are really faring in class. Indeed, most teachers even give unexpected "pop quizzes" from time to time, to see if the students are really paying attention in the classroom. Yes, by way of these examinations, oral or written, the teacher can see if the students are really progressing, or learning in the class. In this way, he/she can monitor their progress systematically throughout the school year. Therefore, we can see that a "test" is not a bad thing, in itself. No, but in fact, it is a very good thing. It is something that is needed.
But what about this test of "loyalty" of all true Christians spoken of earlier? Well, the test of "loyalty" for all of God's servants, worldwide will be: What will these Christians do when put, unexpectedly under pressure to compromise. Yes, what should a "loyal" witness of Jehovah do when their own leading men, teachers, and Governing Body staff invites them to involve themselves in spiritual adultery and idolatry?
"Spiritual Adultery..." you say. "Well...how have we been invited to participate in Spiritual Adultery," you may wonder. Well, we say Spiritual Adultery, as in the Secret Sin hidden for 10 years, namely the UN-NGO Affair committed by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses between the years of 1991 and 2001. Could not such a situation, be a real "test" of our loyalty to God, rather than to an organization that claims to represent Him? An organization that, in the end, shows by their actions that they actually belie that particular claim?
What do you think?
yorww
_____________________________________________________________
Review Questions For The Article: Are You Most Loyal To God or an Organization -- Which?
1. What is the definition of a loyal person?
2. What test did Emperor Constantius I pose to test the loyalty of Christians as related in the 8/15/90 issue of the Watchtower? What did he hope to prove?
3. Are Jehovah’s Witnesses facing serious tests of their loyalty today? How does Revelation 3:10 help us recognize this fact?
4. What are two examples in the Bible of Jehovah testing His people? Why is it necessary for Him to do this?
5. What is the difference between "testing" an individual and "tempting" him?
6. Putting temptations before humans is a ploy that Satan uses yet Jehovah will allow such a thing to happen. Why?
7. What type of test can Christians today expect to face?
8. What situation has the leadership of the Jehovah’s Witness organization brought upon all Jehovah’s Witnesses which will cause an issue to surface that would determine whether they were loyal to Jehovah or to the organization?
To get the answers for the review questions CLICK HERE.
***
The following article is an excerpt from The "Report" Volume I. pages 149-152.
[See blog with graphics at: http://www.singnewsong.com/loyal.html]
Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines a "loyal" person as being one who is:
"faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government; faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due."
Yes, an individual who is "loyal" is `faithful in his allegiance to his sovereign.' He shows `fidelity to the one whom it is most due.' Therefore, in view of this definition, would you say that you are a loyal person, that is to Jehovah God, the Sovereign of the Universe? But before you answer that question, let us notice an interesting situation that tested the loyalty of Christians, many years ago. As pointed out by the Watchtower magazine, in their August 15, 1990 issue, the experience is given of Emperor Constantius I who had great respect for Christians. However, in order to test the loyalty of Christians, particularly those attached to his palace, he told them they could remain in his service only if they agreed to "sacrifice to idols." And if they refused . . . then "vengeance at his hand." Now that was quite a test, wouldn't you say? Nevertheless, he had a particular aim in putting this test upon those Christians. And what was that?
A SIMPLE TEST
Well, the Watchtower magazine explains:
"By this simple ploy, Constantius wanted to identify those who would never compromise their loyalty. Those who proved loyal to God and his principles were retained in the emperor's service, some even becoming trusted counselors. Those disloyal to God's commands were ignominiously dismissed." — See Watchtower 8/15/90, pg. 12, 11.
What a shrewd test! Yes, he wanted to see who would remain loyal or "faithful" to Jehovah God. Would they obey or not? Would they remain "loyal" to God's Laws? Would they stay completely free of idolatry, or emperor worship? This is what he wanted to know. And after determining who was really obedient, the emperor `dismissed all who disloyally disobeyed God's Commands.' However, he promoted many of those who refused to participate in this act of treason against God. In other words, he dismissed all "apostates," or those who participated in Apostasy against God. What a switch!
And so we see by his use of this simple but revealing test, the emperor was able to successfully identify those who were really "loyal". Yes, the ones who would be ready to `lay their life on the line,' if necessary, in order to remain "faithful" to Jehovah, their true "sovereign." This test clearly illustrates that sometimes a Christian can be tested in a most unique way, in an unexpected way, to find out if he is really "loyal" to his Creator or not. Remember, for those who capitulated, it demonstrated to the king that they were not "loyal" to Jehovah, the Person they claimed to worship and put first in all things. Then, of course, after seeing their disloyalty to their God, how could the king believe that they would remain completely "loyal" to him, in a secondary sense, that is, if the right amount of pressure were put upon them to do otherwise. He would have to conclude, yes be forced to conclude, that these same so-called Christians would, in the end, compromise again if enough pressure were put upon them!
THE "HOUR OF TEST" FOR CHRISTIANS UPON US
But wait! There is a serious problem facing God's servants today. Yes, one that will test the loyalty of all who call themselves "Jehovah's Witnesses." But what is that?
Well, Jesus foretold this critical "test" for all Christians, in our day and time, by accurately predicting a similar situation. Speaking directly to the "Angel of the Philadelphia Congregation," Jesus said at Revelation 3:10:
"Because you kept the word about my endurance, I will also keep you from the hour of test, which is to come upon the whole inhabited earth, to put a test upon those dwelling on the earth."
"Impossible!" you say. "No such test will come upon God's Name People, Jehovah's Witnesses..." you say. Well, even though you may initially feel this way before reading this article, please keep in mind that God's Word never fails, it is sure to come to pass. Actually, "tests" are nothing new for God's people. They have been "tested" many, many times, in the past, in the case of their "loyalty."
JEHOVAH "TESTS" HIS PEOPLE AT TIMES
For example: Wasn't it a "test" when Jehovah Himself put the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad" in the middle of the garden. Yes, it was a "test" since Adam and Eve had the freedom to "eat" from it, if they so chose. Yes, it was a "test" for them. It would prove whether or not they would be obedient to Jehovah's stated Commands. It would prove whether they were "loyal" or not. — Genesis 2:15-17
Further, Jehovah Himself tested the Israelites in the wilderness as recorded at Deuteronomy 8:2, 3 which says:
"And you must remember all the way that Jehovah your God made you walk these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, to put you to the test so as to know what was in your heart, as to whether you would keep his commandments or not. So he humbled you and let you go hungry and fed you with the manna, which neither you had known nor your fathers had known; in order to make you know that not by bread alone does man live but by every expression of Jehovah's mouth does man live."
Yes, Jehovah God Himself puts his people "to the test" at times, to see what is really in their hearts. He wanted to see if they would remain obedient to His Commandments or not. He wanted to see if they would remain "faithful" to their "Sovereign," the one to whom they owed their "allegiance" and honor. He wanted to see if they were truly "loyal."
At this point, we want to make a distinction, between "testing" individuals and "tempting" them. No, Jehovah does not "tempt" man toward sin. Neither does Jehovah `try men with evil things.' He will not place a wicked or evil thing right in front of a man in order to "try" him or "tempt" him toward sin. No, but this is the type of ploy that Satan often uses. (James 1:13, 14) However, even in these cases, Jehovah will allow the person to be "tried" by the evil thing, in order to see if he will, when tempted, remain "loyal." An excellent way to understand the differences in the two situations is this: Jehovah planted the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad" in the middle of the Garden and told man not to eat from it. But Satan took it further. He suggested to Eve that she should eat from it since breaking God's Law would, in the end, prove beneficial to herself and her family. Yes, he went so far as to make the idea attractive to her. He told her how her `eyes were bound to become opened and she would be just like Jehovah, knowing Good and Bad.' What an awful thing to do! Nevertheless, do we see the difference? Yes, Jehovah would not do such a thing. That would be "tempting" the person with the evil thing.
However, a "test" can really be a good thing. For example: What wise instructor or school teacher do we know that does not, from time to time, give "exams," " or "tests," if you will, to see how his or her students are really faring in class. Indeed, most teachers even give unexpected "pop quizzes" from time to time, to see if the students are really paying attention in the classroom. Yes, by way of these examinations, oral or written, the teacher can see if the students are really progressing, or learning in the class. In this way, he/she can monitor their progress systematically throughout the school year. Therefore, we can see that a "test" is not a bad thing, in itself. No, but in fact, it is a very good thing. It is something that is needed.
But what about this test of "loyalty" of all true Christians spoken of earlier? Well, the test of "loyalty" for all of God's servants, worldwide will be: What will these Christians do when put, unexpectedly under pressure to compromise. Yes, what should a "loyal" witness of Jehovah do when their own leading men, teachers, and Governing Body staff invites them to involve themselves in spiritual adultery and idolatry?
"Spiritual Adultery..." you say. "Well...how have we been invited to participate in Spiritual Adultery," you may wonder. Well, we say Spiritual Adultery, as in the Secret Sin hidden for 10 years, namely the UN-NGO Affair committed by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses between the years of 1991 and 2001. Could not such a situation, be a real "test" of our loyalty to God, rather than to an organization that claims to represent Him? An organization that, in the end, shows by their actions that they actually belie that particular claim?
What do you think?
yorww
_____________________________________________________________
Review Questions For The Article: Are You Most Loyal To God or an Organization -- Which?
1. What is the definition of a loyal person?
2. What test did Emperor Constantius I pose to test the loyalty of Christians as related in the 8/15/90 issue of the Watchtower? What did he hope to prove?
3. Are Jehovah’s Witnesses facing serious tests of their loyalty today? How does Revelation 3:10 help us recognize this fact?
4. What are two examples in the Bible of Jehovah testing His people? Why is it necessary for Him to do this?
5. What is the difference between "testing" an individual and "tempting" him?
6. Putting temptations before humans is a ploy that Satan uses yet Jehovah will allow such a thing to happen. Why?
7. What type of test can Christians today expect to face?
8. What situation has the leadership of the Jehovah’s Witness organization brought upon all Jehovah’s Witnesses which will cause an issue to surface that would determine whether they were loyal to Jehovah or to the organization?
To get the answers for the review questions CLICK HERE.
***