With that question, Jesus began his descriptive illustration about the choices that would be before the "steward" of his household, during the time of his return. (Matthew 24:45; Luke 12:41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48)
Jesus defined the "steward", as the slave who decided what food would be served the other slaves of the Master's household Matt.24:45b.
(anointed household slaves Eph.2:19,20,21,22; 1Pet. 2:5,9)
In other illustrations, the steward is the "tenant" over God's Vineyard (Matt.21:35,36) who also "beats" God's anointed messengers. These ruling servants/Harlots, try to take the kingdom away from the other future sons of God, by killing them (through the Wild Beast she rides) (Matt.21:38,39; Rev.11:7; 17:6).
(for scriptural background to this, see pearl-judas.blogspot.com) and
(Cain and Abel today)
Yet the steward was just one of the anointed slaves in the household of this Master. All the slaves in the house were expected to be "faithful and discreet" (Matt.21:43; Matt.3:10; 7:19; Rev.22:2; Matt.25:19).
This fact is made clearer by other illustrations and scriptures related to all the anointed slaves (Matt.24:42,44; 25:11,12,14,15,19,23,29).
But this general responsibility is made clearer at Luke 12:47,48; Matt.24:51. We see that the "steward" is punished "with the greatest severity/cut into pieces" justly due the "unfaithful ones/unbelievers/hypocrites".....
(How? -- Hosea 6:5; Jer.23:29; Rev.11:5)
But the slaves mentioned in Luke 12:47,48 do not receive this severe punishment. These ones will be "beaten" with either "few" or "many" "strokes", based upon their degree of responsibility and understanding.
This indicates that if the steward is found unfaithful, the other slaves are still answerable to the Master. Even while being "beaten" by the drunken steward (Matt.24:49; Micah 2:11; Jer.5:31; Rev.19:20), they must still carry out their duties in obedience to the Master, regardless of the climate they find themselves in (2Tim 4:2; 1Tim. 4:1; Rev.16:13,14; 13:15).
Even if the steward makes it appear as if it is not the season for the slaves to be producing their own fruits, the Master still expects that fruit (Matt.21:19; 7:19; 2Tim. 4:2; John 15:8,4,5,6,1,2). This is especially so for those slaves that "understand" and have insight into the reality of their circumstances (Matt.10:36,38,39).
What exactly are these under-slaves supposed to be doing while under the oppression of the drunken steward? What was their own assignment that they were given by the Master, which they must be found faithfully doing?
Luke 12:35-40 tells us:
35 “Let YOUR loins be girded and YOUR lamps be burning, 36 and YOU yourselves be like men waiting for their master when he returns from the marriage, so that at his arriving and knocking they may at once open to him. 37 Happy are those slaves whom the master on arriving finds watching! Truly I say to YOU, He will gird himself and make them recline at the table and will come alongside and minister to them. 38And if he arrives in the second watch, even if in the third, and finds them thus, happy are they! 40 YOU also, keep ready, because at an hour that YOU do not think likely the Son of man is coming.”
Luke 17:7,8,9,10:
7 “Who of YOU is there that has a slave plowing or minding the flock who will say to him when he gets in from the field, ‘Come here at once and recline at the table’? 8Rather, will he not say to him, ‘Get something ready for me to have my evening meal, and put on an apron and minister to me until I am through eating and drinking, and afterward you can eat and drink’? 9 He will not feel gratitude to the slave because he did the things assigned, will he? 10 So YOU, also, when YOU have done all the things assigned to YOU, say, ‘We are good-for-nothing slaves. What we have done is what we ought to have done.’”
These two scriptures may seem contradictory. In Luke 12, Jesus says that if the slave is found working to shine light (lamp burning),
ready to open the door as soon as the Master knocks (Matt.10:27),
with his "loins girded" (Eph.6:14);
Jesus will (after he "returns from the marriage"--all sealed/Jesus receives scroll/Dan.7:13; Rev.5:1,2,5,7; 1:1) minister to his slaves at the marriage feast.
Yet in Luke 17, Jesus makes the point that the slave does not get to eat until after he works to make food ready for the Master, first.
How are both these scriptures true?
In Luke 12, Jesus said IF the slave's lamp is burning, and he is wide awake working, THEN the Master will minister to him. (Luke 12:35; Matt.5:15,16,14; 1Thess. 5:5; Phil.2:15; Dan.12:3)
This makes clear what the Master's food is (John 4:34). It is the Father's will that light of truth be shining by each of his anointed slaves (John 15:8), to feed one another (Eph.4:16; 1Cor. 10:17) and all Christ's sheep (John 21:17; Mal.2:7; 1Cor. 4:1; John 15:15,8; Matt.12:33,35,37; Matt.7:20). Jesus' anointed slaves ARE his body (Eph.5:29,30). When they feed each other, they are feeding their Master (John 12:26; Luke 12:37; 17:8; Matt.25:37,40). Doing so is a requirement to being fed by Jesus, at the marriage "feast" (Rev.1:1,3; 19:9; 22:10; Dan.12:4,9,10; Rev.1:2).
IF a slave is providing fine fruit at the proper time as a fine tree (Matt.12:33,37; Luke 6:44,45; John 15:8; Eze.36:8; 17:22,23,24), despite the famine caused by the steward (Amos 8:11; Isa.29:8; 55:2); he will be found faithful by the returned Master, and fed divine provisions by Holy Spirit (Matt.13:11,12; Matt.25:10; Rev.1:1; 11:3; 10:7; John 16:13; Rev.21:6)...true knowledge (Rev.19:9) which will gradually become abundantly available (Dan.12:4; 2:35; Eze.47:2,4,5; Rev.22:17; Matt.22:2,8,9,10), as the previously sealed "scrolls", are "opened"
(Rev.20:12; Luke 24:45,32; 2Cor. 4:6; 2Pet. 1:19; Rev.22:16; 2:28; 1:1; 10:7).
The virgins who were admitted into the feast, were ready when the Bridegroom arrived (Matt.25:10). Their lamps were in order, with an ample supply of "oil" (holy spirit, given them because of their continuing reliance upon it -Matt.13:12). They then gained access to the provisions of the Master's table (Luke 12:37; Rev.1:1).
Those who sought to "buy" oil and light for their lamps "from those who sell", were not admitted (Matt.25:9c, Matt.25:10a; Rev.18:3,15; 13:17). These virgins ran low on Holy Spirit, and as a result, they could not have their "loins girded about with truth" Matt.25:8; Eph.6:14). The light they shone did not belong to the Bridegroom, but was sourced with the "sellers" (Rev.13:17). For he said, "I tell you the truth, I don't recognize you." (Matt.25:12)
From these two scriptures, we see that the marriage feast (where Jesus will minister to and feed his faithful sealed remnant, divine understanding), is only for those anointed who have remained chaste (2Cor. 11:2; Rev.14:4,5; Isa.52:11; Rev.18:4)...providing the Master's household with fruit sourced in Holy Spirit (Zech.4:11,12,13,14; Rev.11:4), and not sourced with "those who sell" (Rev.13:17). Only those anointed who keep awake...(Luke 21:36) working to shine their lamps of truth continually until Christ arrives (Luke 12:35,38), ready to respond to Holy Spirit and the truth it gives at the proper time (Matt.10:27)....will partake of the treasured insights of the seven seals (Rev.5:5; 1:1,3; 11:3)...to be served at the marriage feast (Matt.25:10; Luke 12:36,37).
When it comes to the spirit's light of insight....
"To he who has, more will be given." Matt.13:11,12; Mark 4:21,22,23,24,25
Therefore, if you are an anointed one, make certain that the light you have burning in your lamp, is not from men's doctrines (Matt.15:9; Mark 7:7), or from yourself (John 7:18; Matt.6:23). Make certain you have remained in union with the one who anointed you (1John 2:26,27,28; 1Cor. 6:17; John 15:4) and his body (Eph.4:11,12,13; 1Cor. 12:27,21,25; 11:29). If you do these things, he will continue to teach you all things, and bring you into all the truth
(John 16:7,12,13,14; Rev.1:1; 22:6).
Those faithful witnesses....the "faithful and discreet slaves", will
conquer Satan's lies and tests (Rev.2:10; Matt.24:24,25),
witness to the Truth (Rev.6:9; 12:17),
do not have their thinking marked by idolatrous doctrines that demand the worship of men (Rev.20:4; 13:16,15,8),
imitate Christ in surrendering their souls in behalf of the sheep (Matt.10:39; John 21:15; 15:13,14,15,16).
Rev.12:11 and Rev.20:4 read:
"And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death."
"And I saw thrones, and there were those who sat down on them, and power of judging was given them. Yes, I saw the souls of those executed with the ax for the witness they bore to Jesus and for speaking about God, and those who had worshiped neither the wild beast nor its image and who had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand. And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for a thousand years."
- - -
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been." (Rev.6:9-11)
Only these faithful slaves who are fed the final understandings (Dan.12:4,3; 11:33) at the "marriage feast" (Matt.22:2), will be capable of providing the rest of Christ's sheep, with "the proper food, at the proper time" (Matt.24:45,46,47).
For more scriptural insight, into the "wicked steward" (Matt.24:48,49,50,51)
and how this prophecy is clearly evident today, please consider:
http://pearl-wastefulsteward.blogspot.com/
***********************************************************
Due to new doctrines presently being released, I was sent a few comments similar to the one here:
Dear Pearl,
I am one of the regular readers of your blog. sorry i had to post this on here but i have a different topic in mind now. actually, its been over a month since i have been hearing about this ''New Light'' that the governing body announced during their annual meeting, on many forums online. Then just a week ago, i have confirmed the same information because it's now posted on the official site. So what do you think about this new light? Would you mind posting an article about this? A lot of jw bros and sisters i talk with think that the new light is not a 100% new light, because over the years it's understandable that the GB is the faithful and discreet slave (Steward) and that the "class" is not accurate. Is the FDS the entire anointed remnant, or not? Is the "steward" the whole 144000?
i hope to read something from you about this. this is actually a hot topic all over the internet since it got leaked and now published on the "jw.org" site
My response:
Jesus well knew the climate and situation in which his final invited ones would be immersed. His teacher was Jehovah (John 8:28; 12:49; Matt.24:3). He prophesied many details concerning it. As we see these things being fulfilled in detail, it should guide our faith and behaviour.
Jesus appoints the "steward" within his "household"
Jesus defined the "steward", as the slave who decided what food would be served the other slaves of the Master's household Matt.24:45b.
(anointed household slaves Eph.2:19,20,21,22; 1Pet. 2:5,9)
In other illustrations, the steward is the "tenant" over God's Vineyard (Matt.21:35,36) who also "beats" God's anointed messengers. These ruling servants/Harlots, try to take the kingdom away from the other future sons of God, by killing them (through the Wild Beast she rides) (Matt.21:38,39; Rev.11:7; 17:6).
(for scriptural background to this, see pearl-judas.blogspot.com) and
(Cain and Abel today)
Yet the steward was just one of the anointed slaves in the household of this Master. All the slaves in the house were expected to be "faithful and discreet" (Matt.21:43; Matt.3:10; 7:19; Rev.22:2; Matt.25:19).
This fact is made clearer by other illustrations and scriptures related to all the anointed slaves (Matt.24:42,44; 25:11,12,14,15,19,23,29).
But this general responsibility is made clearer at Luke 12:47,48; Matt.24:51. We see that the "steward" is punished "with the greatest severity/cut into pieces" justly due the "unfaithful ones/unbelievers/hypocrites".....
(How? -- Hosea 6:5; Jer.23:29; Rev.11:5)
But the slaves mentioned in Luke 12:47,48 do not receive this severe punishment. These ones will be "beaten" with either "few" or "many" "strokes", based upon their degree of responsibility and understanding.
This indicates that if the steward is found unfaithful, the other slaves are still answerable to the Master. Even while being "beaten" by the drunken steward (Matt.24:49; Micah 2:11; Jer.5:31; Rev.19:20), they must still carry out their duties in obedience to the Master, regardless of the climate they find themselves in (2Tim 4:2; 1Tim. 4:1; Rev.16:13,14; 13:15).
Even if the steward makes it appear as if it is not the season for the slaves to be producing their own fruits, the Master still expects that fruit (Matt.21:19; 7:19; 2Tim. 4:2; John 15:8,4,5,6,1,2). This is especially so for those slaves that "understand" and have insight into the reality of their circumstances (Matt.10:36,38,39).
What exactly are these under-slaves supposed to be doing while under the oppression of the drunken steward? What was their own assignment that they were given by the Master, which they must be found faithfully doing?
Luke 12:35-40 tells us:
35 “Let YOUR loins be girded and YOUR lamps be burning, 36 and YOU yourselves be like men waiting for their master when he returns from the marriage, so that at his arriving and knocking they may at once open to him. 37 Happy are those slaves whom the master on arriving finds watching! Truly I say to YOU, He will gird himself and make them recline at the table and will come alongside and minister to them. 38And if he arrives in the second watch, even if in the third, and finds them thus, happy are they! 40 YOU also, keep ready, because at an hour that YOU do not think likely the Son of man is coming.”
Luke 17:7,8,9,10:
7 “Who of YOU is there that has a slave plowing or minding the flock who will say to him when he gets in from the field, ‘Come here at once and recline at the table’? 8Rather, will he not say to him, ‘Get something ready for me to have my evening meal, and put on an apron and minister to me until I am through eating and drinking, and afterward you can eat and drink’? 9 He will not feel gratitude to the slave because he did the things assigned, will he? 10 So YOU, also, when YOU have done all the things assigned to YOU, say, ‘We are good-for-nothing slaves. What we have done is what we ought to have done.’”
These two scriptures may seem contradictory. In Luke 12, Jesus says that if the slave is found working to shine light (lamp burning),
ready to open the door as soon as the Master knocks (Matt.10:27),
with his "loins girded" (Eph.6:14);
Jesus will (after he "returns from the marriage"--all sealed/Jesus receives scroll/Dan.7:13; Rev.5:1,2,5,7; 1:1) minister to his slaves at the marriage feast.
Yet in Luke 17, Jesus makes the point that the slave does not get to eat until after he works to make food ready for the Master, first.
How are both these scriptures true?
In Luke 12, Jesus said IF the slave's lamp is burning, and he is wide awake working, THEN the Master will minister to him. (Luke 12:35; Matt.5:15,16,14; 1Thess. 5:5; Phil.2:15; Dan.12:3)
This makes clear what the Master's food is (John 4:34). It is the Father's will that light of truth be shining by each of his anointed slaves (John 15:8), to feed one another (Eph.4:16; 1Cor. 10:17) and all Christ's sheep (John 21:17; Mal.2:7; 1Cor. 4:1; John 15:15,8; Matt.12:33,35,37; Matt.7:20). Jesus' anointed slaves ARE his body (Eph.5:29,30). When they feed each other, they are feeding their Master (John 12:26; Luke 12:37; 17:8; Matt.25:37,40). Doing so is a requirement to being fed by Jesus, at the marriage "feast" (Rev.1:1,3; 19:9; 22:10; Dan.12:4,9,10; Rev.1:2).
IF a slave is providing fine fruit at the proper time as a fine tree (Matt.12:33,37; Luke 6:44,45; John 15:8; Eze.36:8; 17:22,23,24), despite the famine caused by the steward (Amos 8:11; Isa.29:8; 55:2); he will be found faithful by the returned Master, and fed divine provisions by Holy Spirit (Matt.13:11,12; Matt.25:10; Rev.1:1; 11:3; 10:7; John 16:13; Rev.21:6)...true knowledge (Rev.19:9) which will gradually become abundantly available (Dan.12:4; 2:35; Eze.47:2,4,5; Rev.22:17; Matt.22:2,8,9,10), as the previously sealed "scrolls", are "opened"
(Rev.20:12; Luke 24:45,32; 2Cor. 4:6; 2Pet. 1:19; Rev.22:16; 2:28; 1:1; 10:7).
The virgins who were admitted into the feast, were ready when the Bridegroom arrived (Matt.25:10). Their lamps were in order, with an ample supply of "oil" (holy spirit, given them because of their continuing reliance upon it -Matt.13:12). They then gained access to the provisions of the Master's table (Luke 12:37; Rev.1:1).
Those who sought to "buy" oil and light for their lamps "from those who sell", were not admitted (Matt.25:9c, Matt.25:10a; Rev.18:3,15; 13:17). These virgins ran low on Holy Spirit, and as a result, they could not have their "loins girded about with truth" Matt.25:8; Eph.6:14). The light they shone did not belong to the Bridegroom, but was sourced with the "sellers" (Rev.13:17). For he said, "I tell you the truth, I don't recognize you." (Matt.25:12)
From these two scriptures, we see that the marriage feast (where Jesus will minister to and feed his faithful sealed remnant, divine understanding), is only for those anointed who have remained chaste (2Cor. 11:2; Rev.14:4,5; Isa.52:11; Rev.18:4)...providing the Master's household with fruit sourced in Holy Spirit (Zech.4:11,12,13,14; Rev.11:4), and not sourced with "those who sell" (Rev.13:17). Only those anointed who keep awake...(Luke 21:36) working to shine their lamps of truth continually until Christ arrives (Luke 12:35,38), ready to respond to Holy Spirit and the truth it gives at the proper time (Matt.10:27)....will partake of the treasured insights of the seven seals (Rev.5:5; 1:1,3; 11:3)...to be served at the marriage feast (Matt.25:10; Luke 12:36,37).
When it comes to the spirit's light of insight....
"To he who has, more will be given." Matt.13:11,12; Mark 4:21,22,23,24,25
Therefore, if you are an anointed one, make certain that the light you have burning in your lamp, is not from men's doctrines (Matt.15:9; Mark 7:7), or from yourself (John 7:18; Matt.6:23). Make certain you have remained in union with the one who anointed you (1John 2:26,27,28; 1Cor. 6:17; John 15:4) and his body (Eph.4:11,12,13; 1Cor. 12:27,21,25; 11:29). If you do these things, he will continue to teach you all things, and bring you into all the truth
(John 16:7,12,13,14; Rev.1:1; 22:6).
Those faithful witnesses....the "faithful and discreet slaves", will
conquer Satan's lies and tests (Rev.2:10; Matt.24:24,25),
witness to the Truth (Rev.6:9; 12:17),
do not have their thinking marked by idolatrous doctrines that demand the worship of men (Rev.20:4; 13:16,15,8),
imitate Christ in surrendering their souls in behalf of the sheep (Matt.10:39; John 21:15; 15:13,14,15,16).
Rev.12:11 and Rev.20:4 read:
"And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death."
"And I saw thrones, and there were those who sat down on them, and power of judging was given them. Yes, I saw the souls of those executed with the ax for the witness they bore to Jesus and for speaking about God, and those who had worshiped neither the wild beast nor its image and who had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand. And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for a thousand years."
- - -
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been." (Rev.6:9-11)
Only these faithful slaves who are fed the final understandings (Dan.12:4,3; 11:33) at the "marriage feast" (Matt.22:2), will be capable of providing the rest of Christ's sheep, with "the proper food, at the proper time" (Matt.24:45,46,47).
For more scriptural insight, into the "wicked steward" (Matt.24:48,49,50,51)
and how this prophecy is clearly evident today, please consider:
http://pearl-wastefulsteward.blogspot.com/
***********************************************************
Due to new doctrines presently being released, I was sent a few comments similar to the one here:
Dear Pearl,
I am one of the regular readers of your blog. sorry i had to post this on here but i have a different topic in mind now. actually, its been over a month since i have been hearing about this ''New Light'' that the governing body announced during their annual meeting, on many forums online. Then just a week ago, i have confirmed the same information because it's now posted on the official site. So what do you think about this new light? Would you mind posting an article about this? A lot of jw bros and sisters i talk with think that the new light is not a 100% new light, because over the years it's understandable that the GB is the faithful and discreet slave (Steward) and that the "class" is not accurate. Is the FDS the entire anointed remnant, or not? Is the "steward" the whole 144000?
i hope to read something from you about this. this is actually a hot topic all over the internet since it got leaked and now published on the "jw.org" site
My response:
Jesus well knew the climate and situation in which his final invited ones would be immersed. His teacher was Jehovah (John 8:28; 12:49; Matt.24:3). He prophesied many details concerning it. As we see these things being fulfilled in detail, it should guide our faith and behaviour.
Jesus appoints the "steward" within his "household"
(Luke 12:42; Eph.2:19; Matt.10:25,36; 1Tim. 3:15; 5:8; 1Pet. 4:17).
That steward can prove either faithful, or wicked (Matt.24:46,48,49; Luke 12:37,45,47). There can be a simultaneous presence of both sorts. If those possessing authority over the household, abuse their position and withhold the provisions of Holy Spirit...
That steward can prove either faithful, or wicked (Matt.24:46,48,49; Luke 12:37,45,47). There can be a simultaneous presence of both sorts. If those possessing authority over the household, abuse their position and withhold the provisions of Holy Spirit...
(Matt.24:49; 1Cor. 2:10; 12:7,8; 1John 2:27,28; Matt.10:27; John 16:25; Matt.25:14,22,23; Eze.34:1,2,10)
....Jesus will not allow that famine to indefinitely starve his sheep (Eze.34:17,18,19,20,21,22,11,12,13,14,15,16; Isa.65:13). (Eze.34:19 -- Rev.8:10,11)
He calls other slaves to fill the need (Eze.34:23; Rev.11:3,4; John 16:13; Luke 12:37; Matt.10:27,40,20; John 21:17).
(pearl-wastefulsteward.blogspot.com)
He calls other slaves to fill the need (Eze.34:23; Rev.11:3,4; John 16:13; Luke 12:37; Matt.10:27,40,20; John 21:17).
(pearl-wastefulsteward.blogspot.com)
Do not expect such faithful ones to be appointed (or even tolerated) by the unfaithful (Rom.2:29; 6:16; John 16:2,4; Matt.10:16,26,28; 24:49; Gal.1:10) nor to be identified by a possession of power, riches, or prominence (1John 2:15; 1Cor. 4:8; 1Pet. 5:6; Prov.29:23; Matt.23:12; Ec.10:6; Eze.21:25,26). In fact, the final stewards are despised and persecuted, just as Christ was (Rev.11:3,9,10; Isa.66:5; Matt.10:25). In fact, this is how those desiring to do God's will, will be able to identify the true prophets/stewards, in the time of the end (John 7:17; Matt.7:20).
(pearl-finetrees.blogspot.com)
These are the ones providing the "proper food at the proper time" (John 15:8; Ec.11:6; 2Cor. 9:6,12; Luke 8:11; Matt.4:4; Luke 17:8,9). They must continue to do so till the end, in order to have a sound basis for continuing hope in their reward (Matt.10:22; 24:13; Rev.2:10).
All chosen slaves are "stewards of the word" (1Cor. 4:1,2; Luke 12:48) ...assigned to take care of what belongs to Christ (Matt.25:14; John 14:6; 18:37; 1Tim. 3:15; 6:20)...whether assigned to be over/ruler/"Steward" of God's anointed household....("abilities to direct/guidance/administrations"), or assigned to be a prophet, teacher, etc..
Whether the steward slave is faithful or not (1Cor. 12:28) we must fulfill our own place in the body of Christ. All anointed are a part of the "one flesh" wifely "body of Christ" (1Cor. 12:12,27; Rom.12:5; Col.1:18; Eph.5:23,26,27,30,31,32), and as such members, all are assigned to feed, build up, and nourish both one another (1Cor. 10:17; 12:25,28; Eph.4:11,12; 1Cor. 12:7; 1Pet. 4:10), and the mother covenant which provides their spirit lives (Rev.12:6; 11:3; Isa.54:6; 49:14,21; 62:4; Hosea 2:19; Rev.12:1,2; Gal.4:26.24)
(pearl-thewoman.blogspot.com).
Abandoning Life, Truth, Holy Covenant, and responsibility is not an option for the faithful. If other anointed (such as the present "steward") leave Jehovah for worldly reward; all other members of Christ's body are still responsible to be faithful. All have a collective responsibility to get the "body" fed.
All anointed should know that being faithful is the will of God and Christ, regardless of the Steward's integrity (Luke 12:47). If they care for this responsibility despite the "stewards" neglect, ...they are found awake, fighting the darkness with their own lamp burning....ready to respond to the arrival and direction of the Master (Luke 12:35,36,37,38,39,40,41).
Peter asks if this message is just for them...a single steward...or was this message of being found awake and "faithful" for all anointed???
We receive our answer (Luke 12:41; Mark 13:37,34,35,36,37).
The call to be awake, faithful and discreet, working, shining a lamp, providing food for the household (as well as for the returning Master -- Luke 17:7,8) is for ALL ANOINTED!!! (according to whatever gift was given them individually, by spirit 1Pet. 4:10; 1Cor. 12:4,11,18,29; Heb.2:4; Eph.4:7; Rom.12:6)
Jesus compared the workings of his anointed Congregation...his body...as a household under the authority of the Master, Christ.
The steward is one of the slaves, chosen to rule/oversee/"direct" the dispensation of provisions gleaned through the efforts of all.
He is not to replace the other slaves, nor strip them of their divinely assigned job in Christ's body.
He is not supposed to replace the Master, nor judge and punish his fellow slaves (Matt.25:19). He is not entitled to rob the Master of his household, and steal the Master's authority and goods,
....sharing these with "confirmed drunkards" (Matt.24:49; Micah 2:11).
Yes....
how do "confirmed drunkards" respond to free food and drink? They sponge it all up until there is no more to be had, and then they turn on their benefactor. Such will be the case for the wicked anointed steward who places "his" trust in an organization of spiritual Gentiles. (Jer.17:5; 2:20; 3:1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10; Eze.29:6,7; 16:30; Isa.30:1; 31:3; Hosea 2:5)
(www.acts17-11.com/sa.html)
The current steward has filled the table of the returning bridegroom, with drunken vomit! (Matt.24:48,49; Isa.28:8; Rev.17:6) He has pillaged the sacrifices meant for the Master, as if they were his own. In his greed and desire for worthless associates, he has squandered the Master's provisions with no recognition of the hour.
It is time for the bridegroom to arrive (Matt.25:6)....but the Steward is preoccupied with his own interests.....destroying, defiling, wasting, and vomiting out the wedding feast provisions that the other slaves have toiled to produce.
If this is the "household" situation the remnant find themselves in, each anointed slave has two choices.....
1. Fear the beatings of the wicked steward, and so leave off working to provide the Master's marriage feast. Any who do this...or join the Steward in his drunken revelries (Micah 2:11; Rev.18:3; Jer.48:26; 51:7,39,57; Rev.17:2; 16:13,14; 1Cor. 6:15,16), will be severely beaten by the returned Christ (Matt.24:51; Rev.18:4; Matt.13:42; Rev.19:20; Matt.10:33; 25:41; 2Thess. 2:9,10; Luke 12:47).
OR
2. Continue to work to provide food, despite the beatings of the wicked Steward; so that the returning Master is welcomed home with ready provisions to refresh him. Any who do this, will be rewarded (Luke 12:37,43,44,37,40; 17:8).
There is good reason why the label of "faithful and discreet slave" has now been narrowed down to only the eight men at the top. This was a necessary step in the fulfillment of prophecy. The Beast's target is now brought into sharp focus. Now there is no doubt or confusion, as to whom the "steward" of the entire household, is! (Rev.17:16,17; 18:8; 14:8; Eze.16:37,39). They had to claim to be THE faithful and discreet slave, in order to accomplish this clear identification as the "steward" of the entire household, because Organizational doctrine has merged these two identities (FDS & Steward).
In reality, the "steward" of the household, and the whole body of "faithful slaves", are not the same thing! ALL FAITHFUL SLAVES, are responsible for (stewards) teaching truth, caring for Christ's body, and feeding all the sheep. This is not the same role as "steward" director over the anointed household.
Past doctrine defined the "wicked steward" as any apostates who questioned or criticized the GB. This doctrine served them well, and excused them beating/expelling their fellow slaves.
This interpretation is easily proven false however, since these steward-condemned "apostates" do not fill the description of being over the spiritual food being provided ALL in the anointed household. This was especially true while this doctrine was being promulgated....(which was before internet even became available).
The only "steward" determining what the entire household is fed, is the GB. Only they can fill the description of the household "ruling" steward/manager. (Luke 12:42)
By presently calling themselves the exclusive "faithful and discreet slave"; they are in essence, declaring themselves to be the Steward of the Master's household. This is actually more accurate than past doctrines.
But being the "steward" and being a "faithful slave" is not exactly the same identity. The "steward" is only ONE of the slaves. All the anointed are called to be faithful with God's will for them. There are many capacities within the body of Christ....not just a "steward" over the anointed household. All are responsible to work to provide the "proper food at the proper time".
Ideally, the "steward of the household" coordinates and manages this feeding program.
If he fails, the rest are still stewards of their own assignment (1Cor. 12:29) and are expected to be "faithful and discreet".
The GB fails to take into account, that as Steward over the anointed household, they do not have supreme power to prevent the other slaves from picking up the slack and proving faithful.
"He" can not prevent Christ from removing "his" position from him (Luke 16:3), nor from Christ assigning a new coordinating Steward, if necessary. Faithful slaves will find a way, to render the fruits when due (Matt.21:43; Rom.11:17,18,19,20,21,22; Matt.7:19; 21:19).
Even if the wicked Steward slave continues to revel in his vomit, oblivious that his master has really arrived, has taken his position from him, and has given it to others....
he has.
(Rev.3:3; 2:5; Matt.25:28)
He may still be reveling in his sense of power and riches, but he is drunk and unaware of the ax at the door. (Luke 3:9; Hab.2:16)
He has failed to discharge the indebtedness of his fellow slaves to the Master, by accepting their payments and publishing them. He has instead, demanded that the other slaves put their light under a "measuring basket" (Matt.5:15) (which is used for commerce Rev.13:17).
Let the Steward step up and take the title for himself (Luke 14:8,9,10; Matt.23:12; John 7:18; Isa.47:8; Rev.18:7).
The clear identity of the wicked Steward is emerging.
He is about to learn that not only is he going to lose his "drinking buddy" cohorts,
but also his position over the "Beast",
...and the approval of his Master.
(Matt.7:21,22,23; 25:11,12,13; 1John 3:15; Matt.25:41,42,43,44,45,46)
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