1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

We further add to this the testimonyof Jesus and his Apostles that thelast days or end of the gospel dispensationwould be characterized by generaldeclension in religion, and especially bythe falling of pastors or teachers fromthe truth, of such Jesus said, asspoken by Isaiah, "In vain do theyworship me, teaching as doctrinesthe precepts of men" (Matt. 15:9); andadds: "Leave them; they are blindguides: and if the blind lead the blindboth will fall into the pit" (verse 14,ED.). These words, though applied byJesus to the Jewish house, were also intendedto apply to that of which it wasthe shadow, the gospel house, and correspondswith a like command to thosewho would be faithful to the Lord inher. Come out of her, my people, thatye be not partakers of her sins(Rev. 18:4).This very evident blindness and apathyof the teachers of the nominal church,and their consequent unfitness to ministerto the "sheep," are well illustratedby the prophet in likening themto "blind watchmen." The blindnesscharged is evidently not the lack ofnatural vision so necessary to watchmen,but of mental perception; "they areignorant" of the character and purposesof God, therefore they cannot speak--and are contemptuously compared to"dumb dogs that cannot bark" faithfullyfor the Master, but love to lie downin slumber--self-gratification and ease.They have turned away their ears tofables and science falsely so called--"every one their own way" or ism:and "as greedy dogs which never canhave enough," the majority seek highsounding titles and lucrative churchappointments--"every one for his gain"(Isaiah 56:10-11). This application ofthe prophecy was undoubtedly intendedand is fully sustained by Jesus in his