As the apostles reclined at the table to observe what they imagined was the annual Passover, a celebration that they all no doubt observed from childhood, Jesus instituted what Jehovah's Witnesses know as the Memorial. “I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” And accepting a cup, he gave thanks and said: “Take this and pass it from one to the other among yourselves, for I tell you, from now on, I will not drink again from the product of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes.” - Luke 22:15-18Keep doing this in remembrance of me.—Luke 22:19.
Each year during the Memorial season, we show our appreciation for what Jesus has done by taking time to meditate prayerfully on the meaning of his death. We also encourage as many as possible to join us for this special occasion. And we are determined not to allow anything to prevent us from attending the Memorial. At the Memorial, we learn why mankind needs a ransom and how the death of one man can atone for the sins of many. We are reminded of what the bread and the wine represent and who should partake of them. (Luke 22:19, 20) And we meditate on the blessings that are in store for those who cherish the earthly hope. (Isa. 35:5, 6; 65:17, 21-23) We should not take these truths for granted. w23.01 20 ¶2; 21 ¶4
In the next verse, Jesus commands his disciples to keep doing this in remembrance of me. And so Jehovah's Witnesses gather each year to recall Jesus' suffering and sacrifice and what it means. In the verses cited above, Jesus twice speaks of the Kingdom of God, saying he would not eat the Passover meal again until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God and then stating likewise that he would not drink the wine again until the Kingdom of God comes.
What does it mean that Jesus will not partake of what we call the "emblems" until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God?
Jesus was alluding to his second coming. After the Passover was concluded, while Judas was off to do his dastardly deed, Jesus spoke further about his going away and then returning: "In the house of my Father are many dwelling places. Otherwise, I would have told you, for I am going my way to prepare a place for you. Also, if I go my way and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you home to myself, so that where I am you also may be. And where I am going, you know the way.” - John 14:2-4
All during the time of Jesus' absence, the covenant that Jesus validated with his own blood has not accomplished what God intended. It is true that many tens of thousands have been called and chosen and died faithfully, but they are still dead. That is because Jesus has not "come again."
Although the Watchtower has fabricated an artfully contrived tale of Jesus' ethereal return and the Kingdom coming to power more than a century ago, the simple truth is that as long as the Memorial is observed, the Kingdom of God has not come. Surely, when Jesus comes again to receive his spiritual family home to himself, they will know when he arrives. They will not need to resort to arcane chronological calculations to determine when the Kingdom of God comes. Jesus said that he would come alongside each one who proves themself to be ready and waiting with their lamps lit. And what will Christ do when he comes alongside the chosen? He will share the evening meal with them, just as he did on that last Passover.
Speaking to his little flock in the 12th chapter of Luke, Jesus explained the object and manner of his coming, saying: “Be dressed and ready and have your lamps burning, and you should be like men waiting for their master to return from the marriage, so when he comes and knocks, they may at once open to him. Happy are those slaves whom the master on coming finds watching! Truly I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come alongside and minister to them." - Luke 12:35-37
After the original evening meal, Jesus girded himself as a house servant and literally washed the feet of his apostles. So, Christ will again "dress himself for service" and minister to those who open the door when they hear him knock. Jesus said he would have them recline at the table, just as the apostles did on that Passover. What does it mean, though, that the Lord will come alongside and minister to them? His coming alongside them is the parousia. As all of Jehovah's Witnesses know, that is what the Greek word means - being alongside. Surely, if Jesus comes alongside someone and ministers to them, they will know it.
So, when Jesus said he would not eat the Passover or drink the product of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes, he was referring to that. Christ's parousia will initiate the first resurrection. But Paul explained that "we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord" will remain on earth during the presence until we are changed in the twinkling of an eye.
During the presence, when Christ is alongside his chosen ones, the Kingdom of God will have come to power. Jesus foretold that the chosen ones will be made to stand before governors and kings and give them a witness and no one will be able to argue against them because the holy spirit will be speaking for them.
That is what is symbolized by the two witnesses of Revelation. They are said to be standing before the Lord of the whole earth. The NWT provides a handy little asterisk cross reference to Zechariah, which states: “These are the two anointed ones who are standing alongside the Lord of the whole earth.” There is that expression again: "standing alongside." If the two anointed witnesses are standing alongside the Lord, then conversely, the Lord is standing alongside them. That is, in fact, why they are called the "two witnesses." Just as the disciples were called upon to be witnesses of Christ's resurrection, those who experience the parousia will give witness that they have seen Jesus and that he remains standing next to them. In that sense, the parousia will be invisible to everyone but the chosen.
As Paul directed, by drinking the cup, anointed Christians keep proclaiming the death of the Lord until he comes. Once he comes, the evening meal will be concluded, and the new covenant will, too. Christ's blood will have purchased all of the 144,000, and the Kingdom of God will then have come.
Until He Comes
Thursday, September 8 Keep doing this in remembrance of me.—1 Cor. 11:24. Night has fallen, but a full moon bathes Jerusalem in soft light. It is the evening of Nisan 14, 33 C.E. Jesus and his apostles have celebrated the Passover, commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage
e-watchman.com
Future Parousia of Christ and Its Impact
Friday, June 10 You will not leave me in the Grave.—Ps. 16:10. One reason why we know that Jesus’ resurrection occurred is the zeal that his disciples showed in proclaiming it. Zealously bearing witness to the resurrection of the Christ exposed
e-watchman.com
Maintaining the Devil’s Invisible Parousia Hoax
This is a continuation of commentary on the God’s Kingdom Rules! Bible study material for the week of October 10th, 2016. Jehovah’s Witnesses well know the power that lies can have over people. Anyone who has ever taken up the Bible and gone out
e-watchman.com