Greetings, dear Zoe (peace to you, dear sister!).
I think I shared on here some time ago something "shocking" that my dear Lord shared with me: that ALL religious leaders are, at their core, atheists, that if they WERE "believers in God" (and, even more, Christ), they COULDN"T be religious leaders. Because they couldn't do, not do, condone, excuse, etc., their own conduct. Their consciences would not allow it.
It is because they are atheists masquerading as "believers." That does not mean they KNOW they are atheists; some truly, due to their OWN "blindness," BELIEVE they are doing "God's will." However, my dear Lord said that if they TRULY... WANTED... to do His will, they would either listen to Moses, Christ, Mohammed, etc., etc., themselves. But, as he told the scribes and Pharisees of his day (in the flesh):
“The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. Therefore, all the things they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but they do not practice what they say. They bind up heavy loads and put them on the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger. All the works they do, they do to be seen by men for they broaden the scripture-containing cases that they wear as safeguards and lengthen the fringes of their garments. They like the most prominent place at evening meals and the front seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces and to be called Rabbi by men. But you, do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your Teacher, and all of you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called leaders, for your Leader is one, the Christ. But the greatest one among you must be your minister. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:2-12; John 13:3-5, 7, 12-18a
EVERYTHING he had his disciples do HE did, did first, AND did to a greater degree (Matthew 16:24; John 15:11-15; 1 Peter 2:21-25; Matthew 5:43-48).
And so he told us:
“Be on the watch for the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them . Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? Likewise, every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit. A good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. Every tree not producing fine fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men."
And so...
“Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’" Matthew 7:15-23
What are the "fruits" of the leaders of the WTBTS, from governing body member down to congregation elder? More converts? More donations? More... real estate? Sure! Along with pedophilia, rape, molestation, sitting in judgment (Matthew 7:1-5), expelling from their "synagogues" (public meeting places)... and even condemnation to destruction ("They're/you're gonna die at Armageddon!").
Beware. The. Leaven.
A. LITTLE. Ferments. The. ENTIRE. Loaf.
Peace to you ALL and to your dear, dear households, to time indefinite!
Your servant, sister, and a slave of Christ,
Shel
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