and said, ‘These last put in one hour’s work; still you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day and the burning heat!’

Their murmuring and objections took the form of persecuting Christ’s disciples, “the last” workers in the vineyard.

the clergy of Christendom in this 20th century have, by reason of their positions and responsibilities, been “first” to be hired for work in God’s symbolic vineyard. They considered dedicated preachers associated with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society to be “the last” ones to have any valid assignment in God’s service.