Organizational Progress

The growth in the number of Jehovah's people is accompanied by organizational progress.  Jehovah states: "Instead of the copper I shall bring in gold, and instead of the iron I shall bring in silver, and instead of the wood, copper, and instead of the stones, iron; and I will appoint peace as your overseers and righteousness as your task assigners."  (Isaiah 60:17)  Replacing copper with gold is an improvement, and the same is true of the other materials here mentioned.  In harmony with this, Jehovah's people have been experiencing  improved organizational  arrangements throughout the last days. 

By 1919, congregations had elders and deacons who were elected in a democratic way. Starting in that year, a service director was theocratically appointed  to supervise  field service activities in the congregation, but there were cases where some elected elders resisted the service director.  In 1932, things changed.  Through the Watchtower magazine, congregations were instructed to discontinue the electing of elders and deacons.  Rather, they would elect a service committee to work along with the service director.  That was a great improvement.

In 1938, more "gold" was brought in when  it was established that all servants in the congregation were to be theocratically appointed.  Congregation administration came to be in the hands of a company servant who assisted him, all appointed under the over sight of "the faithful and discreet slave."  (Matthew 24:45-47)  In 1972, however,  it was seen  that the Scriptural method of overseeing a congregation is through a body of elders rather than through one man.  (Philippians 1:1) Other changes were made at both the congregation level and the Governing Body level. An example of the latter was seen on October 7, 2000, when it was announced that members of the Governing Body who were serving as directors of the Watchtower Society of Pennsylvania and affiliated corporations had voluntarily stepped aside.  In this way, the Governing Body, representing the faithful and discreet slave, is able to give more attention to caring for the spiritual oversight of "the congregation of God" and its associates, the other sheep.  (Acts 20:28)  All such arrangements have been improvements.  They have strengthened Jehovah's organization and blessed his worshipers.
Who has been behind these improvements?  Are they due to the organizational ability or the ingenious  thinking of some humans?  No, for Jehovah stated:  "I shall bring in gold." All this progress is the result of divine guidance.  As Jehovah's people submit to his guidance and make adjustments, the reap benefits.  Peace prevails among them, and the love of righteousness impels them to serve him.

God-given peace has a transforming effect. Jehovah promises:  "No more will violence be heard in your land, despoiling or breakdown within your boundaries. And you will certainly  call your own walls Salvation and your gates Praise." (Isaiah 4:3)  How true!  Even opposers admit that peacefulness is an outstanding mark  of true Christians.  (Micah 4:3)  This peace with God and among Jehovah's Witnesses themselves makes each Christian meeting place a refreshing oasis in a violent world.  (1 Peter  2:17)  It is a foretaste of the abundance of peace that will exist when all earth's inhabitants will be "persons taught by Jehovah." -Isaiah 11:9; 54:13.

Next time: The Glorious Light of Divine Approval

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001