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And I shall certainly raise up for myself a faithful priest. In harmony with what is in my heart and in my soul he will do; and I shall certainly build for him a lasting house, and he will certainly walk before my anointed one always. (1 Samuel 2:35 - NWT)

• #1) Who is this faithful priest that God builds a "lasting house" (NWT) for?
  
  #2) And who is the "anointed one" he stands before "forever"? (according to NRSV & ESV)

According to 1 Samuel 2:35, BOTH the "faithful priest" and the "anointed one" are ETERNAL.

So if Jesus is one of them [anointed one] then who is the other one [faithful priest]?
In the official YORWW DVD-Video presentation, which is given freely to all people of the Island of Jamaica, as frequently advertised in the Gleaner Newspaper, you no doubt noticed the word “Messiah” being used liberally throughout the discussions. As a result, many of you who have viewed the video for the very first time, as well as others who were already somewhat acquainted with the unique views of the YORWW Congregation, have asked the following thought-provoking question:

“Why does this man (Donald C. Burney) think of himself as being a “Messiah” … doesn’t he know that title only belongs to Jesus … or maybe some powerful person that can do astounding miracles? … doesn’t this man know this?”

The answer to this question is very simple. Actually, a “Messiah” DOES NOT necessarily have to do miracles at all. In fact, Jesus said plainly “false christs” [Greek: khristos or “anointed” ones; or “messiahs”] would arise and do powerful miracles, only to mislead many. So having the ability to do miracles, impressive as this may be, does not necessarily identify one as being a true “messiah” from God. -- Matthew 24:5, 24

Instead, the true messiah from God, must teach truth. In turn, when one hears truth, he can “test” it to know, it is real truth from Jehovah. (John 8:32; John 7:17; 1 John 4:1) Therefore, we would have to say a true, Divinely Appointed "Messiah" is above and foremost, a brilliant teacher of God's Word. He would be someone that could explain deep and difficult to understand things to the nation of Israel.

To prove this, let’s consider John 4:25:

(John 4:25) 25 The woman said to him: "I know that Messiah is coming, who is called Christ. Whenever that one arrives, he will declare all things to us openly."

According to the above verse, the “Messiah” was promised to come and explain all things to God’s People, Israel. He was to come and teach many things in the bible, things that was formally unknown to the nation. Lets notice the next two citations which show this. First lets consider Psalms 78:2:

(Psalm 78:2) 2 In a proverbial saying I will open my mouth; I will cause riddles of long ago to bubble forth,

Also consider Matthew 13:35:

(Matthew 13:35) 35 that there might be fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet who said: "I will open my mouth with illustrations, I will publish things hidden since the founding."

These verses show us the “Messiah” was promised to teach things that were formally beyond the Israelite nation’s grasp. He was promised to teach and explain fully, "Sacred Secrets" [or Greek: Mysterions] spoken of in God's Word to His people in the last days.

And this is precisely what, as was shown in the video, Mr. Burney has been doing for several years now among Jehovah's Witnesses.

Of course, the effect of such teachings (like the "Chieftain" Teaching of Ezekiel 44:3), would understandably be astounding when first heard by the people. But, this was prophesied in God’s Word to be the case.

To prove this, let’s consider Isaiah 52:15 which says:

(Isaiah 52:15) 15 he will likewise startle many nations. At him kings will shut their mouth, because what had not been recounted to them they will actually see, and to what they had not heard they must turn their consideration.

You may have noticed in your study of the bible, when one comes to a good understanding of an outstanding bible doctrine, it may also lead that person into having a better understanding of another bible teaching in addition.

For example, let’s take the teaching of the “Chieftain” of Ezekiel 44:3.

(Ezekiel 44:3) 3 However, the chieftain—as chieftain he himself will sit in it, in order to eat bread before Jehovah. By way of the porch of the gate he will come in, and by way of it he will go out.”

The YORWW Congregation has made the following profound statement about this teaching itself and how it relates to other key prophetic viewpoints by saying:

"...without the "Chieftain" Doctrine of Ezekiel 44:3, one can never, ever understand the all-important words found at 1 Corinthians 15:24. We believe, amazingly, Jehovah deliberately withheld this Chieftain Doctrine itself and the understanding of it in years past, to ensure all professed christian faiths and religions, would remain, inescapably IN UTTER DARKNESS, until it was time to reveal this matter to mankind."

This is an amazing point. To show this, let’s consider 1 Corinthians 15:24 itself. It says,

Next, the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power.

Does not Paul show here in this verse, Jesus 'hands over the kingdom' and gives it back to his father, RIGHT AFTER HE DESTROYS ALL GOVERNMENTS ON EARTH AT ARMAGEDDON. Its all in verse 24, correct? Yes. We know these events happen in quick succession, but together, at what Paul calls THE END. So with the removal of the governments at Armageddon, Jesus' rulership ends and 'he hands the kingdom over' to His God and Father. Paul also points out the FINAL RESURRECTION occurs here too, when Jesus empties the grave or Hades. (1 Corinthians 15:26) And all of this happens immediately after Armageddon, all of which means Jesus' rulership or reign has ended, BEFORE ... BEFORE the 1,000-Year Reign ever starts. -- Please carefully consider Daniel 12:1, 2 for additional scriptural support to prove this point.

At this point, we must ponder:

If the above understanding of 1 Corinthians 15:24 is correct, then it leaves the obvious question to answer on our parts:

Who is ruling during the 1,000-year reign, if Jesus' rule has ended and he has already 'handed the kingdom' back to Jehovah in heaven?

Amazingly, the “Chieftain” prophecy of Ezekiel 44:3 provides that answer for us.

Therefore, we must humbly acknowledge the fact, that it has been Jehovah’s Will all along to reveal all such formally “great and incomprehensible things” taught in the bible, in what is known as the “last days” or “end times” for his people. It would be as Jeremiah 23:20 says for our benefit,

“…in the final part of the days, you people [Israel] would give your consideration to it with understanding.” – See also Jeremiah 33:3, 6.

So when Mr. Burney (assisted by the YORWW Congregation) explains the "Chieftain" teaching of Ezekiel 44:3 as mentioned above, and shows us how to connect this to 1 Corinthians 15:24, he is helping us understand the true meaning of that verse (1 Corinthians 15:24) and in doing so, showing us exactly who is ruling during the 1,000-year reign – A profound thing to know indeed. -- See Daniel 7:13, 14; Revelation 11:15

(To get more information on who is actually ruling during the “1,000-year reign” on earth, please see the article entitled, “Two (2) Kingdom” Concept Examined.)

Yes, when one comes to realize, as 1 Corinthians 15:24 clearly show, the complete removal of all man's "governments" and "authorities" is INSEPARATELY CONNECTED to Jesus' humble action of "handing over the kingdom" to his God and Father, this one has been greatly helped by such a teaching being explained to them.

Indeed we must agree, this is a profound, earth-shaking point, this correct understanding of 1 Corinthians 15:24 and how it should be CONNECTED to the “Chieftain” Prophecy of Ezekiel 44:3, to gain a full understanding of the events of 1 Corinthians 15:24.

Therefore after all is said and done, if Mr. Burney’s thinking and understanding of the bible is correct on this matter and prophecy, then according to bible standards shown above, we believe this would surely make him, biblically-speaking, a true "Messiah." --John 4:25