JW's: Did Bro Russell or Judge Rutherford claim to be one of the anointed?

Question

As early presidents of the organization and presumably members of the governing body, I would sort of assume they would be. Just following a chain of thought.

What sources???

I don't mean anointed of God, but one of the anointed, as in partook of the wine/bread at the Lord's evening meal.

Answer 1

Yes, both Russell and Rutherford partook of the emblems at the annual Lord's Evening Meal commemoration, indicating their heavenly hope and belief that they were anointed.

The following quote seems relevant to this question:
The Watchtower, May 15, 1997, page 17
[quote]
Today, [the Governing Body] consists entirely of anointed Gentile Christians, and Jehovah has greatly blessed their oversight.—Ephesians 2:11-15. From the incorporation of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania in 1884 until 1972, the president of the Society exercised great authority in Jehovah’s organization, while the Governing Body was closely associated with the Society’s board of directors. The blessings enjoyed during those years prove that Jehovah accepted that arrangement. Between 1972 and 1975, the Governing Body was enlarged to 18 members. Things moved closer to the first-century arrangement when greater authority was invested in this enlarged body, some of whom are directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania [as of 1997]. Since 1975 a number of these 18 individuals have finished their earthly course. They have conquered the world and have ‘sat down with Jesus on his heavenly throne.’ (Revelation 3:21) For this and other reasons, the Governing Body now has ten members [as of 1997]
[unquote]

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_02.htm
http://jw-media.org/people/who.htm

Answer 2

Both of them absolutely, and publicly, did so. Up until the early 1930s those Jehovah's Witnesses (aka International Bible Students) held solemn remembrances of Christ's death where wine and bread were passed around, and until the early 1930s, ALL of them partook.

Russell was believed to be the 7th 'messenger to the church' (as per Rev. 1:20 & 3:14 - the preceeding 6 were the apostle John, Arius, Waldo, Wycliffe and Luther). He was believed to be the faithful and discreet slave of Mat. 24 whom Christ appointed over all his belongings. (This idea was later changed by Rutherford to mean the collective group of JW leaders because - obviously - after Russell died, that idea was clearly wrong!) When 'the other sheep' idea was introduced in the early 1930s, it took a while before most JWs stopped taking the bread and wine (and newly interested people were actively discouraged from even starting to partake) but all of the the leadership had to be seen to partake otherwise they would have no authority to lead. They claimed to be the faithful and discreet slave of Mat 24, you see.

Answer 3

Considering the wording of these quotes, it is evident that they were of the anointed.

"The Watchtower" 9/1/81 p10:

"In 1915 Brother Russell expressed the opinion that there was yet much missionary work to be done. But in 1916 he completed his earthly course."


"Jehovah's Witnesses -Proclaimers of God's Kingdom" p. 90 :

"On January 8, 1942, our beloved brother, J. F. Rutherford, faithfully finished his earthly course."

Answer 4

Quote from WT 2/1/82, p. 28--". . .the heavenly hope was held out, highlighted and stressed until about the year 1935. Then as 'light flashed up' to reveal clearly the identity of the Great Crowd of Rev.. 7:9, the emphasis began to be placed on an earthly hope."

So, up until 1935, they all believed they were going to heaven: that would include Russell and Rutherford who took over at Russell's death (I believe he died around 1918). Rutherford also made references to Russell's directing the org. from heaven.

Bet current JWs have no clue that the WT once taught only a heavenly and NO EARTHLY HOPE. Pays to do your research into your own org., doesn't it?

Answer 5

YES of course they started it (the two classes) in the first place

Learn more about Watchtower Jehovah's Witnesses origins http://www.freeminds.org

Answer 6

I assume so, It is my understanding that the 144,000 number was large enough to cover all bible students. It wasn't until later that they adopted the paradise theory to encompass the rest of the Witnesses.

Answer 7

Actually, they both lead faithful lives, but neither of them claimed to be anointed. Not really to our knowledge.

Answer 8

From what I have learned on here from JW's ..they don't like these men anymore..They deny that Russell is their founder..Its amazes me..

Answer 9

Not according to our sources, no.

Answer 10

Why do you need to know that?, just a question.