Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

The Upper Room The Evening Meal

2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.
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If we think in terms of fleshly Israel when sharing the Lord's Evening meal, let us, clarify? That is, we think we are going to the Lord's meal to have our sins forgiven, or that we are standing at God's altar waiting for the blood of the Passover Lamb to be spill in our behave as we partake of the emblems of wine and bread, making us clean for yet another year we are sadly mislead.

Hebrews 7:27 who doesn't need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 9:26 or else he must have suffered often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the end of the ages, he has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Hebrews 9:27 Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment,

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.

Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.{NU omits "who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit"}
8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
8:3 For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh;

Moreover, if we think that we are sharing our righteousness by displaying ourselves as one of God's anointed, the chosen of God, the last members of the body of Christ that we are in someway doing God's will we are mislead by self grandeur!

Haggai 2:12 'If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with his fold touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food, will it become holy?'" The priests answered, "No."

John 5:44 How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don't seek the glory that comes from the only God?

2 Corinthians 10:12 For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.

Those of Christ brothers attending his passover meal are making no statement when sharing the Lord's Evening meal. The Lord's Evening meal is not an agenda to prove anything to any one let alone to impress others that we are God's anointed. In fact, it has nothing to do with our flesh whatsoever, did you realize that?

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;

Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

Romans 8:8 Those who are in the flesh can't please God.

Showing Off In The Flesh

We are not being loyal to God or Christ by making a show in our flesh that we are spirit members in Christ body by attending a fleshly event for others. First, and foremost, Christ did not entrust himself to any flesh, that in, and of itself, should stop our boasting in the flesh, pausing us from the lust of our flesh for recognition as one of God's anointed.

John 2:25 and because he didn't need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

Rom.7:18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good.

Christ did not go to a public meeting to share his last meal with the world, or false religion. He did not let some Pharisee conduct his last meal because he had credentials as a teacher in Israel. Christ did not entrust his last meal to make a show for the flesh.

John 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 14:17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world can't receive; for it doesn't see him, neither knows him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you.

John 8:23 He said to them, "You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.

John.7:2 Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand. 7:3 His brothers therefore said to him, "Depart from here, and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do. 7:4 For no one does anything in secret, and himself seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world." 7:5 For even his brothers didn't believe in him.
7:6 Jesus therefore said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 7:7 The world can't hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil.
7:8 You go up to the feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, because my time is not yet fulfilled." 7:9 Having said these things to them, he stayed in Galilee. 7:10 But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly, but as it were in secret.

In fact, its not a fleshly meal at all, why? 1+2=3! Christ was no longer dealing with fleshly Israel, but spiritual Israel, which is the entire point of the Greek writings. Conversely, if one brought their flesh thinking to the Christ last meal, Christ would not have glorified them he would and did reprove them for such unrighteous thoughts and actions, by using the Spirit of God indwelling him. He did not condone fleshly thinking that it would somehow add or help worshiping in Spirit and truth that his apostles were soon to be transition into once Christ died in his own flesh so that the promise Holy Spirit could birth a new nations of spirit son's for God.

Luke22:23 They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing. 22:24 There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. 22:25 He said to them, "The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called 'benefactors.' 22:26 But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. 22:27 For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn't it he who sits at the table? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves.

In fact, Christ told his followers many times before going into the upper room away from the fleshly sight of Israel teachers that they would be no part of the world just as he was not, why? Simply put, the Holy Spirit of God they were to receive is no part of the flesh or this world which is in darkness because of sin. The same sin found in our flesh that Satan used to build his own empire in opposition to God's Kingdom.

Rom. 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.
8:8 Those who are in the flesh can't please God.
8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his. 8:10 If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

Subsequently, the apostle Paul reproved those showing up to the Lord's Evening meal who were in their flesh thinking somehow attendance with others in the flesh was more important than Spirit and truth, which Christ would introduced and die for,. Hence, they were better off not attending at all, just stay home nothing would be gained if they went or not, the flesh gains nothing from the Spirit it can't know the things of the Spirit because God was not dealing any longer with their flesh.

1Cor.2:4 My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
2:5 that your faith wouldn't stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

1Cor. 2:10 But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
2:11 For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God's Spirit. 2:12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God.

1Cor.2:14 Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Christ died to put away the flesh, God gave the entire nation of fleshly Israel over to the nations, putting his love and approval not upon them in their flesh any longer, which if they had been listening was of no value at all, in worshiping God. Christ placed all authority upon God's spiritual nation Israel. If one lack that common sense teaching found in every bible then the meal is of no importance to them at all, it is nothing more then a worldly event to promenade a perceive self righteousness before other flesh.

Matthew 5:20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matt.6:2 Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.
6:3 But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does,
6:4 so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
6:5 "When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward.
6:6 But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

The meal was not to make a show to the world, or to prove that someone is God's anointed, or to give someone a false privileged to to rub shoulder with one of God's anointed, all such thinking is nothing more then a works of the fleshly mind of a very mislead person.

1Cor. 4:1 So let a man think of us as Christ's servants, and stewards of God's mysteries. 4:2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards, that they be found faithful. 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment. Yes, I don't judge my own self. 4:4 For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.
4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.

The meal is not a war with the flesh, or is it about trying to demand a right as one of God's anointed that it is their meal, and they have a right to be there, or is it a work of law to gain some merit in the eyes of false religion, nor is it about the forgiveness our sins. It is about being reproved in our flesh so we don't teach others that we can approach or please God in our flesh. It should stand as a self-examination of ourselves if we have moved on from the primary doctrines of Christ such as repentance from dead works in our understanding the sinless flesh paid the price for sin in Christ putting our judgment of our flesh to death in Christ.

Heb. 6:1 Therefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on to perfection--not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God, 6:2 of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 6:3 This will we do, if God permits.

1Cor. 11:16 But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God's assemblies.
11:17 But in giving you this command, I don't praise you, that you come together not for the better but for the worse.
11:18 For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it.
11:19 For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you.
11:20 When therefore you assemble yourselves together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat.

James. 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.
3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

The meal is a reminder to put away the flesh and walk in Spirit where we are not condemned and judged by the flesh any longer. The idea that fleshly people can understand the truth of Spirit at the Lords meal because they attend a fleshly event with the name of Christ upon it is absurdity. Their fleshly meal bring glory to the flesh, and nothing more, its is an event to boast in the flesh, and numbers to restrict and control who, when, and where a person can share a meal with Christ who is our daily bread of life.

1 Corinthians 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole lump?

To feel obligated to the flesh over the Spirit is certainly not a statement to be proud of or boast in. To claim to worship in Spirit and truth is to state we have cleared out the old leaven from Christ and worship only in him as truth and Spirit. To make a show in leaven ( leaven;flesh and its teachings) to honor Christ is about as perverse fleshly thinking one can have.

1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.

1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Galatians 5:9 A little yeast grows through the whole lump.

The upper room is not on earth, it not in a building full of fleshly people celebrating a worldly holiday that their religion promotes as the most important event of the year. The upper room is with Christ above were he is seated if you read your bible, not of this world, or part of this world. Moreover, one can only be invited by the voice of the Spirit, and one can only get in by another righteousness, and not their own. One cannot partake in the flesh, one cannot partake by works of law, one cannot have division of the flesh, and be in Christ, one cannot seek man's approval over God establish place of true worship Christ Jesus our temple.

1Cor.4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
4:8 You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you.
4:9 For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.
4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor.

1Cor.3:16 Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you? 3:17 If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, which you are.
3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

Galatians 4:26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

Colossians 3:14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

One should not invite the world into the temple of the living God and think they will remain innocent. Perhaps, we should reexamine our own motives, as the Spirit directed the apostle Paul to tells us to do before partaking, instead of judging and examining the motives and teachings of those going to a wordily holiday. Perhaps, we are the ones responsible for separating ourselves?

2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore, "'Come out from among them, and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.{Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34,41}

Christ did not partake in front of the world, the question is why not?

Colossians 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

1 John 4:5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.

1 John 3:1 Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn't know us, because it didn't know him.

2 Peter 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.