Wednesday, March 24
Who really is the faithful and discreet slave? —Matt. 24:45.
In 1919, Jesus appointed a small group of anointed brothers as “the faithful and discreet slave.” That slave takes the lead in the preaching work and gives Christ’s followers “food at the proper time.” Satan and his world have done much to make the work of that faithful slave challenging, even impossible, to carry out from a human standpoint. Despite two world wars, relentless persecution, global economic crises, and unjust treatment, the faithful and discreet slave has continued to provide spiritual food for Christ’s followers on earth. Think of the abundance of spiritual food available today, free of charge, in more than 900 languages! It is undeniable evidence of divine backing. Consider further proof of Jehovah’s blessing: the preaching work. The good news truly is being preached “in all the inhabited earth.” —Matt. 24:14. w19.11 24 ¶15-16
What the Watchtower has done, at least as far as publishing Bibles and Bible-based literature, is truly astounding. Still, I think much more could have been done. Unfortunately, it is probably too late now. The Watchtower claims Satan has made the Watchtower’s work impossible to carry out. I assume they are inferring that it is impossible to reach people in Islamic nations or in China, and now even in Russia, a nominally Christian nation.
Having dabbled in shortwave it seems the Watchtower is neglecting a very effective avenue of communications. I could only afford to buy a weekly half-hour time slot on an established gospel shortwave broadcaster. Not really a very suitable setup. With the enormous pool of resources the Watchtower has at its disposal, not only financially but more especially human resources, Jehovah’s Witnesses could have their own network of shortwave stations broadcasting around the clock to every corner of the earth in dozens or even hundreds of languages. Unlike the Internet, it is impossible for authorities to block shortwaves bouncing off the ionosphere. The Watchtower could broadcast their message to all 12 time zones of the vast Russian Federation. The truth could penetrate the most inaccessible regions of Africa, India, and China too. Every Islamic state such as all the “…stans.” And all of the far-flung islands of the globe. (Does Shortwave Have a Future?)
And shortwave radios are relatively inexpensive. Much cheaper than a computer or phone device. For many impoverished people in underdeveloped regions of the planet, shortwave is the only source of communication that they have. Again, with the vast sums of money the Watchtower rakes in JW’s in the field could hand out shortwave radios for free to interested persons.
The Watchtower pioneered broadcasting back in the early days of radio. For some reason, they got out of radio altogether back in the 50s. It is truly tragic the Watchtower has neglected commercial and especially shortwave radio. They could absolutely dominate the airwaves if they wanted to. Shortwave has enormous, untapped potential. Instead of blaming Satan for making it impossible to reach people in reality the Governing Body must accept responsibility, yes—blame—for neglecting to use this incredible resource to reach billions of people who are otherwise unreachable.
While the Governing Body continually applauds itself for doing such a good job and they surely expect to get their ticket to heaven punched when the master appoints them over all of his belongings, someone might actually have to answer for burying the master’s silver talents entrusted to them.
“Therefore, take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. And throw the good-for-nothing slave out into the darkness outside. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be.” — Matthew 25:28-30
