Look! The Sovereign Lord Jehovah himself will help me. Who is there that can pronounce me wicked? Look! All of them, like a garment, will wear out. A mere moth will eat them up.” (Isaiah 50:8, 9)

This perfect Son of God has committed no sin. (1 Peter 2:22) His enemies falsely accuse him of being a Sabbath breaker, a drunkard, and a demonized person, but Jesus is not dishonored by their lies. God is with him, so who can be against him?​—Luke 7:34; John 5:18; 7:20; Romans 8:31; Hebrews 12:3.

18, 19. What experiences similar to those of Jesus have anointed Christians had?

¹⁸ Jesus warns his disciples: “If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:20) Events soon prove this true. At Pentecost 33 C.E., holy spirit comes upon Jesus’ faithful disciples, and the Christian congregation is born. Almost immediately religious leaders try to suppress the preaching work of these faithful men and women who are now associated with Jesus as part of “Abraham’s seed” and adopted as spiritual sons of God. (Galatians 3:26, 29; 4:5, 6) From the first century until now, anointed Christians, while taking a firm stand for righteousness, have had to contend with lying propaganda and bitter persecution from Jesus’ enemies.

¹⁹ Still, they remember Jesus’ encouraging words: “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens.” (Matthew 5:11, 12) Hence, even under the most bitter of attacks, anointed Christians hold their heads high. Whatever their opponents might say, they know that they have been declared righteous by God. In his sight they are “unblemished and open to no accusation.”​—Colossians 1:21, 22.

20. (a) Who support anointed Christians, and what have they experienced? (b) How do anointed Christians and “other sheep” come to have the tongue of the taught ones?

²⁰ In modern times anointed Christians are supported by “a great crowd” of “other sheep.” These too take a stand for righteousness. Consequently, they have suffered along with their anointed brothers and have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Jehovah has declared them righteous with a view to survival of “the great tribulation.” (Revelation 7:9, 14, 15; John 10:16; James 2:23) Even if their opponents seem strong right now, Isaiah’s prophecy says that in God’s due time, those opponents will prove to be like a moth-eaten garment, fit only to be discarded. Meanwhile, both anointed Christians and “other sheep” keep strong through regular prayer, study of God’s Word, and attendance at meetings for worship. Thus they are taught by Jehovah and learn to speak with the tongue of the taught ones.