#2
Post
by Scapegoat (Leviticus 16:10) » Mon Nov 29, 2004 11:06 pm
EZEKIEL 44:1-3 -- THE MYSTERY "CHIEFTAIN"
Greetings Patrick,
Yes, this is a most intriguing topic for bible discussion, namely the subject of the Mystery "Chieftain" from Ezekiel 44th chapter. I would like to make a few comments on this topic, as it is rapidly becoming more known among searching Jehovah's Witnesses, that the YORWW Congregation as a group teaches the mystery "Chieftain" to be a future coming man, of God's choosing, to lead spiritual Israel [restored Jehovah's Witnesses] back to God's favor, in the "last days" as regards His spiritual worship upon earth.
First off, in the footnote on this article shown in your post, they mention the fact that the mystery "Chieftain" could not be the "Messiah," as in Jesus Christ who resides in heaven. This conclusion is correct in that it would be impossible for this "Chieftain" to picture Jesus Christ, the "Messiah" as it is clearly an imperfect man, who offers sacrifices for his sins. -- Ezekiel 45:22
Then too, they mention in the above footnote, that perhaps this "Chieftain" could be "a human representative of the Messiah in the government of the Kingdom." Yes, he is a "representative" of Jesus himself, as these bible scholars have figured out. Again, another valid assumption that can be proven from the Holy Scriptures also, we feel. So the YORWW Congregation would agree with this statement.
Additionally, it is clear from the reading of chapters 40-48 of the book of Ezekiel, that this particular "temple" that the "Chieftain" presides in, was to be an earthly Temple arrangement. That point is clear. Whereas we know that Jesus Christ, today resides in heaven. Then too, with that thought in mind, the footnote mentions the fact that this "Chieftain" is said to have offspring...actually "sons" and "servants." And of course, they again conclude that this would not be the case for Jesus Christ, as heavenly king today, having left no fleshly offspring as "sons" when he was on earth. This is their conclusions on the matter. -- Ezekiel 46:16
However, we as the YORWW Congregation, know Jehovah has provided even more information, more insightful information on this topic of the Mystery "Chieftain," in our modern day times. (See a full study on the topic of the "Chieftain" in forum #20.) Thus on that note, please find below some additional points that help us better understand the future role of the Mystery "Chieftain" of Ezekiel 44th chapter. The following 20 questions will help us probe the subject, deeply.
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20 Questions To Ask Yourself About the Temple and The "Chieftain" of Ezekiel's Vision
We as Jehovah's Witnesses, will indeed find when we give close examination to the contents of Ezekiel chapters 40-48, some very startling details will surface as regards the mystery Temple and its mystery "Chieftain" that was envisioned and foretold by the prophet of old, to come within our day. Indeed, this startling information could serve to reinforce a newfound perspective about a coming EARTHLY Kingdom Government and Priesthood of God's making, as mentioned at Exodus 19:5, 6 for the nation of Israel. A Grand Promise, that Jehovah God fully intends to keep. So then, by posing such questions, we can for the first time begin to approach this most unusual subject matter from a different perspective or point of view. That way we can gain a fresh perspective on it. Yes, by using a series of questions about this particular "Temple" and its mystery "Chieftain," we can thereby enable ourselves to re-examine our current beliefs and knowledge accumulated so far on the subject matter, particularly that information in which we have been taught so far the Watchtower Society itself on the subject. We can do this by now, asking ourselves these thought-provoking questions. Yes, we can use questions to really ponder over to this matter and "make our advancement manifest" before God and man. -- 1 Timothy 4:15
TWENTY QUESTIONS TO PONDER ON EZEKIEL'S TEMPLE VISION:
1. (a) Who is this mystery "Chieftain" of Ezekiel's Temple? Can we scripturally identity the "Chieftain" -- whether the "Chieftain" is the High Priest in this future Temple or not?
(b) What position does he truly hold within this Temple, as revealed by Ezekiel and why is he said to "eat bread" in the Holy Presence of Jehovah God"? -- Ezekiel 44:1-3
The March 1st, 1999 Watchtower magazine pages 16 & 17 paragraphs 13-18 says the "Chieftain" represents the elder body of Jehovah's Witnesses. They become a "chieftain class" of individuals, where certain ones will be selected to serve as a composite body as the "Chieftain" Authority in the 1,000 year reign.
However, the Watchtower Society feels that even today, the so-called anointed "underpriests" of the Faithful and Discreet Slave, are pictured as having "priestly" duties in the temple of Ezekiel's vision even now. And thus, the "anointed" underpriests are actively carrying out their priestly duties while on earth in our day and time. Which means, the "Chieftain" Class of elders, and the anointed "underpriests" class, are very much present and active in our day and time. And of course, the "Chieftain" Class, is to "submit" to them, in order for them, to carry out this "priestly" assignment in Ezekiel's Temple Vision. The Watchtower magazine states on this point:
"Clearly the chieftain was to submit to the spiritual services and leadership of the priests. It is fitting, then, that in modern times the anointed have taken the lead in pure worship. for example, the members of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses have been chosen from among them. Such faithful anointed elders have been training the developing chieftain class for decades, preparing prospective members of this class for the day when they will be delegated their full measure authority in God's new world to come." -- See March 1, 1999 Watchtower magazine page 16, par #15.
This means the "Chieftain" Class and the "underpriests" are active and are presently officiating in our day time, in their "priestly" capacities, with the "anointed" taking the lead, supervising the "Chieftain" Class.
However, if this is the case, then we must ask:
(c) According to Ezekiel 44:3, the "Chieftain eats bread before Jehovah." Therefore, today, can we say the "elders" or "Chieftain" Class receive their spiritual "food" or "bread" DIRECTLY from Jehovah as the verse says, or directly from the Watchtower Society, as "underpriests" -- Which?
Based upon the Watchtower comment made above, clearly the elder body or "Chieftain" Class are receiving their instructions, their spiritual "bread" not from Jehovah directly, but from the Watchtower Society as spiritual "underpriests," isn't that so?
Something for us to ponder, isn't it?
Also, these thoughts:
Who or what do you personally say represents the "Chieftain" of this temple? Is he of the "Priestly" family or of the "tribe of Levi" or not?
2. If he is not a High Priest, then why is land donated from the nation of Israel to the "Chieftain" as if he is a Priest of some sorts? -- Ezekiel 45:1, 7, 16 [see March 1, 1999 Watchtower pg. 17 par. 20]
3. Why does the bible say he has "sons" and also "servants"? Who are his "sons"? -- Ezekiel 46:16, 17
4. Who are the "servants" The "Chieftain" is given? -- Ezekiel 46:16, 17
5. (a) What has he done personally, that would merit such a great honor from God...namely to possess "sons" and "servants"? -- Ezekiel 46:16, 17
(b) How could these verses possibly fit or describe the elder body among Jehovah's Witnesses today, or in the future?
6. Is the "Chieftain," then Jesus Christ, possibly? If so, why does the bible say he offers up a "sin offering" in "his own behalf" as well as "in behalf for all of the people of the land" too? -- Ezekiel 45:22
7. Why are the underpriests in this temple called "sons of Zadok" [the High Priest under Solomon's reign]? Does this not imply that the "Chieftain" is himself "Zadok", the High Priest, though he is left unnamed in this bible account? -- Ezekiel 44:15, 16
8. Why is all of the nation of Israel commanded to give the "Holy Contribution of Jehovah" to specifically, the "Chieftain", and to him alone...and NOT the [anointed] underpriests, if he not the High Priest of the Temple? -- Ezekiel 45:1, 7, 16
The Watchtower Society claims to occupy the position of the "sons of Zadok" in this prophetic drama, at this current time. And the "Chieftain class" pictures the elders according to the Watchtower Society. Therefore based upon that viewpoint:
9. Why are Jehovah's Witnesses today, sending the "Holy Contribution of Jehovah" specifically to the "sons of Zadok," namely those who claim to be such as "anointed" underpriests at Bethel, when the bible says it should go to the "Chieftain class" [or elders of the congregation as the WTS teaches] alone? -- Ezekiel 45;1, 7, 16
10. If the "Chieftain" is not the High Priest, then why does all of the responsibility for sacrifices "devolve" upon him personally, for the entire nation? -- Ezekiel 45:16, 17
11. Why does this future Temple that Ezekiel envisions, have to be "cleansed" from previous "fornication", committed by their "kings", committed in a future Temple, committed by future "kings"? -- Ezekiel 43:7-9
12. How have these "kings" put "their threshold with my threshold and their doorpost beside my doorpost", Jehovah has said? -- Ezekiel 43:8
13. How have the nation of Israel completely "defiled God's Name", so that Jehovah found it necessary to "exterminate them in his anger," Jehovah has said? -- Ezekiel 43:7-9
14. (a) Why does Jehovah say the entire nation should feel "humiliated because of their errors"? -- Ezekiel 43:10
(b) And why does it say only "if they feel humiliated" will God allow them to come into His House again and accept them as a people again? -- Ezekiel 43:11, 12
15. Why does the vision point blank say, explicitly, that the Copper Altar itself, needs to be "CLEANSED" and "INSTALLED"...cleansed and installed itself? Why does it need to be "installed"?
16. Could this "INSTALLATION" of the copper altar, possibly signal the NEED for another Priesthood, a new "priesthood", to be accepted by the Almighty Hand of God in the last days of our time? -- Please see Ezekiel 43:26, 27 and compare this account with Leviticus 8:33-35, which shows the installation of priests of Moses' day.
17. Why are the members of the newly installed "Priesthood" spoken of as being prone to "make mistakes" before God, and are actually considered "inexperienced" in the overall sense? -- Ezekiel 45:20
18. Why are the underpriests [anointed among Jehovah's Witnesses] said to specifically act as "judges" and "minister" directly to the people, as "priests", when we all know this is supposed to be the actual duties of the "elders" acting as "judges" and "ministering" to the congregations today at large? These "elders" that are supposedly made up of the "Chieftain class", working within the congregational arrangement as elders, carrying out "priestly" duties, are they not? -- Ezekiel 44:11, 23, 24; See March 1st, 1999 Watchtower magazine page 16, paragraph 15.
19. What is the significance of the mention of the "First Month, on the first day of the month", as regards this newly installed "Temple" of the future? -- Ezekiel 45:18, 19; Please compare Exodus 40:2 and Numbers 9:15.
The 12 Tribes of Israel are apportioned land at Jehovah's Command in chapter 48. Starting from the uppermost northern region, we see the tribes in this order coming down from the northern most tip: Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Mannasseh, Ephraim, Reuben, Judah, Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun Gad. -- Ezekial 48:1-27
Next, we notice the Tribe of "Levi's" Sacred Land, is to be situated between Benjamin's land ( which is to the south of it) and Judah's land (to the north of it). Ezekiel 48:21 says of this special arrangement,
"And what is left over will belong to the chieftain, on this side and on that side of the holy contribution and of the possession of the city, alongside the twenty-five thousand [cubits] [of] the contribution to the eastern boundary; and on the west alongside the twenty-five thousand [cubits[ to the western boundary. Exactly like the portions, [it will be] for the chieftain. And the holy contribution and the sanctuary of the House must prove to be IN THE MIDST OF IT."
20. Therefore, why is the "Sanctuary" and the "Holy Contribution" for Jehovah, which entails the temple itself and holy district where "priests" and "levites" live, to be placed in the "midst" of the land owned by the "Chieftain"? Yes, why is all of the "holy" district itself, to be situated right in the MIDDLE or "MIDST" of the "Chieftain's" land inheritance, as clearly shown in Ezekiel 48:21, if he is not to be considered a "priest" before God? -- See Ezekiel 45:7, 8; Ezekiel 48:21, 22
Yes, we must ponder such thoughts...to really begin to grow spiritually...to come to understand more fully God's "Hidden" Purposes for all mankind, His "Hidden" purposes for the future. -- Ephesians 3:9
"He that is from God listens to the sayings of God..." -- John 8:47
