JW subtitle extractor

The April 1, 1935, Watchtower
extended an invitation,
an intriguing invitation.
Under the heading “Convention,”
it said this:
“Again The Watchtower reminds its readers
“that a convention of Jehovah’s witnesses
and Jonadabs
“will be held at Washington, D.C.,
“beginning May 30 and ending June 3, 1935.
“It is hoped that many of the remnant
and the Jonadabs
“may find it convenient
to attend this convention.
“Heretofore not many Jonadabs have had
the privilege of attending a convention,
“and the convention at Washington
may be a real comfort
and benefit to them.”
Well, it’s a warm invitation,
and it’s intriguing.
It raises some questions:
Who were the Jonadabs,
and in what way would they
be ‘comforted and benefited’
by attending this convention?
And finally, how did that convention
over 85 years ago
shed light on the words of today’s text
in Revelation chapter 7?
Well, let’s see.
In 1935, Jehovah’s people
had identified three different groups
who would experience salvation.
The first group was the 144,000
described at Revelation 7:1-8,
and it was understood
that they were spirit anointed
and would rule in heaven with Christ.
The second group were individuals
who anticipated living forever on the earth.
And interestingly, in 1932,
The Watchtower drew a parallel
between those with the earthly hope
and Jehu’s assistant, Jonadab,
because Jonadab
supported the anointed of Jehovah.
So from 1932, this group was referred to as
the Jonadabs.
But it wasn’t until 1934,
the year before this convention
in Washington, D.C.,
that the Jonadabs were instructed,
or helped to appreciate,
in the pages of The Watchtower
that it was appropriate for them
to make a personal dedication
to Jehovah and be baptized.
Well, that’s two groups:
the 144,000 and the Jonadabs.
Who made up the third group?
Well, that was the “great multitude,”
or the “great crowd,”
described at Revelation chapter 7
beginning in verse 9.
Now look at the illustration as I describe,
or share,
some of the descriptive terms that John used
at Revelation 7:9.
He says: “After this
“[that is, after seeing the 144,000]
I saw, and look! a great crowd,
which no man was able to number.”
So this crowd stands in contrast
to the 144,000.
It’s unnumbered, unlimited.
It’s diverse—“out of all nations
and tribes and peoples and tongues.”
Where are they?
“Standing before the throne
and before the Lamb.”
How are they dressed?
“In white robes;
and there were palm branches in their hands.
“And they keep shouting
with a loud voice, saying:
“‘Salvation we owe to our God,
who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb.’”
What a beautiful picture!
Their white robes indicate
that they’ve kept themselves
“without spot from the world.”
They attribute salvation
to Jehovah and the Lamb.
They’re loyal to him, and the fact
that they’re holding palm branches
indicates their acknowledgment
of Jesus as Jehovah’s appointed King.
Now, let’s take up the account
at Revelation 7:13.
I invite you to turn there
and follow along with me.
Revelation 7:13 says:
“In response one of the elders said to me:
“‘These who are dressed in the white robes,
“who are they and where did they come from?’
“So right away I said to him:
“‘My lord, you are the one who knows.’
“And he said to me: ‘These are the ones
“‘who come out of the great tribulation
[so there are the words of today’s text],
“‘and they have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“‘That is why
they are before the throne . . . ,
“‘and they are rendering him sacred service
“‘day and night in his temple;
and the One seated on the throne
will spread his tent over them.’”
Question:
Who make up this “great multitude,”
or “great crowd”?
Well, it was a burning question
among Jehovah’s people for years.
The Bible Students concluded
that it was a secondary heavenly class.
Why?
Because they were
“standing before the throne” of God
and the throne of “the Lamb.”
But they’re standing, not sitting on thrones.
So it was concluded that they
in some way had been less faithful,
or not fully obedient,
to Jehovah while on earth.
Was that an accurate understanding?
Well, the answer came on Friday afternoon,
May 31, 1935,
at that convention in Washington, D.C.
when Brother Rutherford gave a talk entitled
“The Great Multitude.”
Now, what did he share in that talk?
Well, he identified those
who would make up the great multitude.
He pointed out that the long-discussed
secondary heavenly class
did not exist.
No, the great multitude was made up
of the modern-day Jonadabs.
How exciting!
And these individuals
would have to be just as faithful
—maintaining their integrity
and loyalty to God—
as the remnant.
A thrilling moment came
when Brother Rutherford asked the audience:
“Will all those who have
the hope of living forever on earth
please stand?”
One eyewitness said
that over 10,000 people stood up.
How exciting!
And then Brother Rutherford declared:
“Behold!
The great multitude!”
One sister said: “There was at first a hush,
[and] then a gladsome cry,
and the cheering was loud and long.”
Now, that convention soon ended,
but the effects of it are felt to this day.
What happened as a result of the convention?
Well, it started something: a search.
One sister said: “With enthusiasm
running high and renewed spirituality,
“we went back to our territories to search
for these sheeplike people
who were yet to be gathered.”
Another result of the convention:
Some who partook of the bread and wine
at the Memorial
stopped doing so.
Why?
Because they realized
they had the earthly hope.
They came to appreciate their place
in Jehovah’s arrangement.
And finally,
another result of the convention:
Whereas the publications of former years
had been designed primarily
for Jesus’ anointed followers,
from 1935 onward,
The Watchtower and other publications
provided spiritual food that would benefit
both the anointed and their companions.
Now, as a result, you and I enjoy unity.
We are living
the realization of Jesus’ prophetic words
at John 10:16.
There he said: “I have other sheep,
“which are not of this fold
[they’re not of the anointed];
“those too I must bring in,
and they will listen to my voice,
and they will become one flock,
one shepherd.”
What a privilege
to be part of Jehovah’s flock
and to listen to the voice
of the Fine Shepherd
and “the faithful and discreet slave,”
whom he has appointed!
Brother Robert Simons, Sr. was present
at that convention in 1935.
He could see himself in this picture.
He related his joy
at learning he was
a member of the great multitude.
He described his excitement and said,
“As I rode back to my hotel
on the streetcar this evening,
“I approached every individual and told them,
‘I’m part of the great multitude.’”
Well, his joy was well-founded.
And we do well to cultivate
and deepen our appreciation
for our place in Jehovah’s arrangement.
As we prepare our minds and hearts
for the Memorial,
all of us rejoice,
whether we’re of the anointed
or of the “great crowd
who come out of the great tribulation.”

Seth Hyatt: Look! The Great Crowd (Rev. 7:13, 14)