1914 . . The generation that will not pass away ! ! !

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This was the title on page 4 of the May 15, 1984 Watchtower which stated on pg. 6 . .

“Jehovah’s prophetic word through Jesus Christ is: ‘This generation [of 1914] will by no means pass away until all things occur.’ (Luke 21:32) And Jehovah, who is the source of inspired and unfailing prophecy, will bring about the fulfillment of his Son’s words in a relatively short time. - Isaiah 46:9, 10; 55:10, 11.”

and continues on pg. 7 . .

"Just as Jesus’ prophecies regarding Jerusalem were fulfilled within the life span of the generation of the year 33 C.E., so his prophecies regarding “the time of the end” will be fulfilled within the life span of the generation of 1914. (Daniel 12:4)

Some may wonder why this prophecy means so much to Jehovah’s Witnesses, especially those who have labored in the Watchtower Organization for so long and clung to the hope of still being alive through it all The Watchtower magazine of January 1, 1978 (page 31) explains:

“…when it comes to the application in our time, “the generation” logically would not apply to babies born during World War I. It applies to Christ’s followers and others who were able to observe that war and other things tat have occurred in fulfillment of Jesus composite sign. Some of such persons will by no means pass sway until all of what Christ prophesied occurs, including the end of the present wicked system.”

The November 8, 1994 Awake! on pg. 10 says . .

This time of the end is, however, to be a relatively short period-stretching over one generation. (Luke 21:31, 32) The fact that we are now 80 years beyond 1914 indicates that we can soon expect the deliverance that God’s Kingdom will bring. This means that we will see “the lowliest one of mankind”-Jesus Christ-take complete control of “the kingdom of mankind” and bring about a peaceful and just new world.-Daniel 4:17.

The January 1, 1984 Watchtower on pg. 5 under the topic Reliability of Bible Prophecy? says . .

Man lacks complete control of future situations and must react to them as they develop. God is different. His predictions are precise for two reasons. First, as the Creator, Jehovah knows humans and he can accurately fortell where human thought and action will lead. (Deuteronomy 31:21; Isaiah 46:9, 10) Second, God can shape events before they happen. In both ways his purpose is always accomplished and his prophetic word is always stamped as true.

What happened to the Creators Promise?

In the November 1, 1995 Watchtower, the promise which was thought to be from the “Creator” was given “New Light” from the organization. It stated that . .

". . the term “generation” as used by Jesus refers principally to a contemporary people of a certian historical period, with their identifying characteristics.

"Never in Jehovah’s Name: claims the Watchtower Society in the march 22, 1990 edition of Awake! magazine. And then again, the reassurance in the 1995 edition of “Qualified to Be Ministers” book on page 56 which says:

"We shall not be suspicious, but the Bible says `believe all things…all things that the Watchtower says’."

So, with this advice, let us consider the facts. The Awake! article mentioned above states that they never did say that “these are the words of Jehovah” in any of their speculations of the prophetic dates given for time to time. However, this same issue and page of this publication says:

Why Awake! is Published.

Awake! is for the enlightenment of the entire family. It shows how to cope with today’s problems. It reports the news, tells about people in many lands, examines religion and science. But it does more. It probes beneath the surface and points to the real meaning behind current events, yet always stays politically neutral and does not exalt one race above another. Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator’s promise of a peaceful new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.
**
But again “New Light” shines on the organization as the Awake! magazine changed to . .**

Why Awake! is Published.

Awake! is for the enlightenment of the entire family. It shows how to cope with today’s problems. It reports the news, tells about people in many lands, examines religion and science. But it does more. It probes beneath the surface and points to the real meaning behind current events, yet always stays politically neutral and does not exalt one race above another. Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things.

Has the Creator changed his promise of blessings “before the 1914 generation has passed away” as he supposedly promised for a long time according to the Awake! publications? Or perhaps, is the Watchtower Society desperately trying to remove more unfulfilled promises and dates as all these prophecies have come to pass?

The July 15, 1960 Watchtower magazine claims (page 439) “channeling” directly from God’s throne:

“Organizationally the faithful and discreet slave class since 1919 has been channeling an ever increasing flow Biblical publications by the millions that contain the waters of truth featuring Jehovah’s will as emanating from God’s throne in heaven”

The conclusion could only be that the Watchtower Society did use Jehovah’s name as the source of prophecies which were “channeled” from the heavenly throne to his people on earth and there was solid reason to hope and believe that “the generation” of 1914 would still be alive at the end of the world. Such hope was dashed away with the flick of a pen, or more accurately, a single issue of the Watchtower magazine.

WHAT!!!
Continued…
 
The November 1, 1995 edition says now that the hope of 1914 as the last generation was taken away and replaced with a vague reference that a “generation” is just a contemporary people of a certain time.

"Eager to see the end of this evil system, Jehovah’s people have at times speculated about the time the “Great Tribulation” would break out, EVEN TYING THIS TO CALCULATIONS OF WHAT IS THE LIFETIME OF A GENERATION SINCE 1914…

Rather than provide a rule for measuring time, the term “generation” as used by Jesus refers principally to CONTEMPORARY PEOPLE OF A CERTAIN HISTORICAL PERIOD WITH THEIR IDENTIFYING CHARACTERS."

Proverbs 30:5,6 says . .

“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”

The Watchtower Society claims to not have any “Special Dispensation” from God.
Yet, at the same time, they claim that their “faithful and discreet slave” class (primarily those at the headquarters N.Y. Bethel) are, “The Channel Of God”
How can they claim both? You either are, or are not.
 
I guess by now you have realized that the WT changes is publications as time passes and situations change and their prophecies don’t come to pass.

I would be interested to hear from the JW’s regarding this thread. I would love to hear them explain away what you have posted. In my opinion,if their belief in 1914 falls apart so will the WT organization fall apart.

Jeanne
 
I would love to hear them explain away what you have posted. In my opinion,if their belief in 1914 falls apart so will the WT organization fall apart.

Jeanne
This change happened back in the mid 90’s. The WTS has a history of failed dates and many leave soon thereafter. Yet the numbers start building up again.

This rings true for many other religions as well that have failed dates, doctrines, dogmas, etc. etc.

Perhaps ALL of these religions are part of the “Great Apostasy” that the Apostle Paul spoke of?
Of course the WTS states that only all other (Christian) religions are part of the “great apostasy”.

I have found this difficult to accept considering the plethora of skeletons in the WTS’s closet.

The Catholic Church has no exclusivity on having some not so nice history.

The WTS has a cadre of failed prophecies, (dates amongst other things) damaging doctrines, dogmas, and policies.
 
JL: Good post Vasian. Now that the 1914 generation has passed and been changed. I wonder what, so called new light, will JUST FLASH UP when all the heavenly DISCREAT SLAVE RULING CLASS has all died. They are the ones who feed the so called earthly sheep.

1935 is the year when Christ, according to the WT closed the doors of heaven. Anyone born after 1935 cannot be a member of the New Covenant, eat the bread and wine, cannot go to heaven or be a member of the ruling WT board. If they were just BORN IN 1935 they would be eighty in 2010. So those who received communion before 1935 would have to have been old enough to reason.
 
This was the title on page 4 of the May 15, 1984 Watchtower which stated on pg. 6 . .

“Jehovah’s prophetic word through Jesus Christ is: ‘This generation [of 1914] will by no means pass away until all things occur.’ (Luke 21:32) And Jehovah, who is the source of inspired and unfailing prophecy, will bring about the fulfillment of his Son’s words in a relatively short time. - Isaiah 46:9, 10; 55:10, 11.”

and continues on pg. 7 . .

"Just as Jesus’ prophecies regarding Jerusalem were fulfilled within the life span of the generation of the year 33 C.E., so his prophecies regarding “the time of the end” will be fulfilled within the life span of the generation of 1914. (Daniel 12:4)

Some may wonder why this prophecy means so much to Jehovah’s Witnesses, especially those who have labored in the Watchtower Organization for so long and clung to the hope of still being alive through it all The Watchtower magazine of January 1, 1978 (page 31) explains:

“…when it comes to the application in our time, “the generation” logically would not apply to babies born during World War I. It applies to Christ’s followers Some of such persons will by no means pass sway until all of what Christ prophesied occurs, including the end of the present wicked system.”

The November 8, 1994 Awake! on pg. 10 says . .

This time of the end is, however, to be a relatively short period-stretching over one generation. (Luke 21:31, 32) The fact that we are now 80 years beyond 1914 indicates that we can soon expect the deliverance that God’s Kingdom will bring. This means that we will see “the lowliest one of mankind”-Jesus Christ-take complete control of “the kingdom of mankind” and bring about a peaceful and just new world.-Daniel 4:17.

The January 1, 1984 Watchtower on pg. 5 under the topic Reliability of Bible Prophecy? says . .

Man lacks complete control of future situations and must react to them as they develop. God is different. His predictions are precise for two reasons. First, as the Creator, Jehovah knows humans and he can accurately fortell where human thought and action will lead. (Deuteronomy 31:21; Isaiah 46:9, 10) Second, God can shape events before they happen. In both ways his purpose is always accomplished and his prophetic word is always stamped as true.

In the November 1, 1995 Watchtower, the promise which was thought to be from the “Creator” was given “New Light” from the organization. It stated that . .

". . the term “generation” as used by Jesus refers principally to a contemporary people of a certian historical period, with their identifying characteristics.

"Never in Jehovah’s Name: claims the Watchtower Society in the march 22, 1990 edition of Awake! magazine. And then again, the reassurance in the 1995 edition of “Qualified to Be Ministers” book on page 56 which says:

"We shall not be suspicious, but the Bible says `believe all things…all things that the Watchtower says’."

So, with this advice, let us consider the facts. The Awake! article mentioned above states that they never did say that “these are the words of Jehovah” in any of their speculations of the prophetic dates given for time to time. However, this same issue and page of this publication says:

Why Awake! is Published.

Awake! is for the enlightenment of the entire family. It shows how to cope with today’s problems. It reports the news, tells about people in many lands, examines religion and science. But it does more. Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator’s promise of a peaceful new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.
**
But again “New Light” shines on the organization as the Awake! magazine changed to . .**

Why Awake! is Published.

Awake! is for the enlightenment of the entire family. It shows how to cope with today’s problems. It reports the news, tells about people in many lands, examines religion and science. But it does more. It probes beneath the surface and points to the real meaning behind current events, yet always stays politically neutral and does not exalt one race above another. Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things.

Has the Creator changed his promise of blessings “before the 1914 generation has passed away” as he supposedly promised for a long time according to the Awake! publications? Or perhaps, is the Watchtower Society desperately trying to remove more unfulfilled promises and dates as all these prophecies have come to pass?

The July 15, 1960 Watchtower magazine claims (page 439) “channeling” directly from God’s throne:

“Organizationally the faithful and discreet slave class since 1919 has been channeling an ever increasing flow Biblical publications by the millions that contain the waters of truth featuring Jehovah’s will as emanating from God’s throne in heaven”

The conclusion could only be that the Watchtower Society did use Jehovah’s name as the source of prophecies which were “channeled” from the heavenly throne to his people on earth and there was solid reason to hope and believe that “the generation” of 1914 would still be alive at the end of the world. Such hope was dashed away with the flick of a pen, or more accurately, a single issue of the Watchtower magazine.
Continued…
In 1991 I worked with a devote young married Jewhovah’s Witness who said that she and her husband were abstaining from having children because of their 1914 belief that Aramagedon was about to happen any second. She didn’t want to be pregnant or have a young infant through it. I wonder if she & her husband ever gave up and had kids after all?
 
While I find some of their beliefs to be a little kooky, I find the true problematic issue with their faith is this prophecy problem.

But everytime I mention it to a JW, they downplay the whole thing as a non-Christian’s misinterpretation of the WT. They basically say, that was never the intent of the WT to set times (but ask them about 70 Weeks and their face will light up because this one somewhat works out for them).
 
While I find some of their beliefs to be a little kooky, I find the true problematic issue with their faith is this prophecy problem.

But everytime I mention it to a JW, they downplay the whole thing as a non-Christian’s misinterpretation of the WT. They basically say, that was never the intent of the WT to set times (but ask them about 70 Weeks and their face will light up because this one somewhat works out for them).
What is 70 weeks?
 
What is 70 weeks?
This may help

Years, 607 B.C. to 1914 A.D. (70 weeks of years)

jwfacts.com/watchtower/607-1914.php

Note the Watchtower articles cited.

Also…
The role of chronology in the teaching of the Watch Tower Society
user.tninet.se/~oof408u/fkf/english/chronology.htm

The Watch Tower Society claims to be God’s “sole channel” and “mouthpiece” on earth. In short, its message implies that the kingdom of God was established in heaven in 1914, that the “time of the end” began that year, that Christ returned invisibly at that time to “inspect” the Christian denominations, and that he finally rejected all of them except for the Watch Tower Society and its associates, which he in 1919 appointed as his sole “instrument” on earth. The Society teaches that the generation of 1914 will not pass away until the final end comes at the “battle of Armageddon,” when all who have not joined the Watch Tower organization at that time will be destroyed forever. Jehovah’s Witnesses expect to survive this doomsday to live forever in paradise on earth.

The year 1914, then, plays a crucial role in the teaching of the Watch Tower Society. The date is a product of a chronological calculation, according to which the so-called "times of the Gentiles " referred to by Jesus at Luke 21:24 is a period of 2,520 years, that began in 607 B.C. and ended in 1914. This calculation is the real basis of the message of the movement. Even the Christian gospel, the “good news” of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14), is claimed to be closely associated with this chronology. The gospel preached by other professed Christians, therefore, has never been the true gospel. Said The Watchtower of May 1, 1981, on page 17:
"Let the honest-hearted person compare the kind of preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom done by the religious systems of Christendom during all the centuries with that done by Jehovah’s Witnesses since the end of World War I in 1918. They are not one and the same kind. That of Jehovah’s Witnesses is really gospel, or good news, as of God’s heavenly kingdom that was established by the enthronement of his Son Jesus Christ at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914. " [Italics mine]
In agreement with this The Watchtower of May 1, 1982 stated that, “of all religions on earth, Jehovah’s Witnesses are the only ones today that are telling the people of earth this ‘good news’.” (Page 10) A Jehovah’s Witness who attempts to tone down the role of chronology in the Society’s teaching does not realize that he or she thereby undermines the message of the movement. Such a “toning down” is not something that the Watch Tower leadership approves. On the contrary, The Watchtower of January 1, 1983, emphasized that “the ending of the Gentile Times in the latter half of 1914 still stands on a historical basis as one of the fundamental Kingdom truths to which we must hold today .” (Page 12; emphasis added.)1

Below, they are talking about me, and those like me…😃

In The Watchtower of July 15, 1992, the Witnesses are even urged to “hate” such “apostates … with a complete hatred.” (Page 12) This was not just an accidental “slip of the pen”. The exhortation was repeated in The Watchtower of October 1, 1993. Former members, who have broken the ties with the Watch Tower organization because they can no longer endorse all its claims and teachings, are not only classified as evil “apostates” but also as “enemies of God”, who are “intensely hating Jehovah”. They are stated to be so “rooted in evil” that “wickedness has become an inseparable part of their nature”. Christians, therefore, “must hate” them and ask God to kill them. (Page 19) As such rancorous attacks on former members of the movement reflect an attitude that is exactly the reverse to that recommended by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:43-48), it may be asked why the Watch Tower Society finds it necessary to resort to such malignant language. The answer is obvious to every informed and attentive observer. The leaders of the movement know very well that if the facts about their “Bible chronology”, for instance, that have caused thousands of members to turn their back on the Watch Tower organization in recent years, find their way to the Witnesses in general, great numbers would lose confidence in the organization and its leadership. In order to safe-guard the elevated position they claim for themselves, the leaders of the organization are forced to prevent the Witnesses from learning these facts. The method resorted to is an old and well-tried one in authoritarian organizations throughout the centuries. Dissident members are excommunicated (“disfellowshiped”) as heretics (“apostates”), slandered, defamed and isolated. The Witnesses are taught that it is a “deadly sin” to talk to them and read their books and that hatred is the true Christian attitude toward them. In this way it is hoped that embarrasing information can be withheld from the Witnesses. Thus truth has become a dangerous threat to the Watch Tower Society these days. Although this organization uses the word “Truth” more often than most other organizations on earth, truth has, in fact, become the worst enemy of the movement.
 
This change happened back in the mid 90’s. The WTS has a history of failed dates and many leave soon thereafter. Yet the numbers start building up again.

This rings true for many other religions as well that have failed dates, doctrines, dogmas, etc. etc.

Perhaps ALL of these religions are part of the “Great Apostasy” that the Apostle Paul spoke of?
Of course the WTS states that only all other (Christian) religions are part of the “great apostasy”.

I have found this difficult to accept considering the plethora of skeletons in the WTS’s closet.

The Catholic Church has no exclusivity on having some not so nice history.

The WTS has a cadre of failed prophecies, (dates amongst other things) damaging doctrines, dogmas, and policies.
Thank God, we as Catholics, have dogmas that do not change from generation to generation. I can imagine how confusing that must be for the JW’s. It amazes me how they can believe the lies that are told to them.
Jeanne
 
Thank God, we as Catholics, have dogmas that do not change from generation to generation.
:clapping:
I can imagine how confusing that must be for the JW’s.
most accept such things as “new light”.
It amazes me how they can believe the lies that are told to them.
Jeanne
The lies, It happens in all religions including us Catholics.
With our history spanning over 1500 years, there’s more than a few lies and bad things that were committed by the church.
But I do believe that failed prophecies are not part of the Catholic faith.

They claim that they were not prophecies yet then they claim “New Light” :confused:
 
I can see both your points:

I think Jeanne is referring to dogma or tradition. They really don’t change. They may be addressed and made “official” when there are conflicts or people are questioning them, but those things never changed. And change is scarce in the Church. Change like having Masses said in English with Vatican II, doesn’t have anything to do with a dogma. And how long did it take to make that change? And it took a LOT of people to mill over it and pour over Church documents to make sure it was okay. And remember, changes don’t always abolish the old ways. For example, you can still find Masses said in Latin if you look hard enough, especially in big cities.

I think the lies Vasian is referring to are for example, when misguided priests (eh, bad priests, I would call them) would sell indulgences. Which of course, you can’t do. And of course, that’s not a teaching. That’s an individual behaving badly. Is that what you meant?
 
".

I know we have had some not so good priests and popes, they are first men after all… Can you be more specific about the lies?

To me, changing dogma like the JW’s do is lying, even if they call it new light. We don’t do that so what do we lie about.

This might be for another thread.

Jeanne
I really do not have serious issues with changing dogmas. Better understanding of a subject matter may require a change in dogma.
It is the condemnation of those who perhaps see the need for change based on empirical evidence of some sort, and for that are labeled as heretics, or as apostates.
This is what is done by the JW’s and even after this “new understanding” becomes new dogma, they never have apologized those they condemn as heretics.

The Vatican did this very thing to Galileo when he through his research announced that he was pretty sure that the Sun was the center of the universe.
In 1612, opposition arose to the Sun-centered theory of the universe which Galileo supported. In 1614, from the pulpit of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Father Tommaso Caccini (1574–1648) denounced Galileo’s opinions on the motion of the Earth, judging them dangerous and close to heresy.
Following a papal trial in which he was found vehemently suspect of heresy, Galileo was placed under house arrest and his movements restricted by the Pope. From 1634 onward he stayed at his country house at Arcetri, outside of Florence.
While alive, he was NEVER exonerated.
As we now know, the Vatican does accept that the Sun is in fact the center of our universe.
[/quote]
 
I can see both your points:

I think the lies Vasian is referring to are for example, when misguided priests (eh, bad priests, I would call them) would sell indulgences. Which of course, you can’t do. And of course, that’s not a teaching. That’s an individual behaving badly. Is that what you meant?
I don’t know Vasian’s mind but I think he might be referring to some specific lies and not just clergy acting badly. I would like him to clarify.

Jeanne
 
I don’t know Vasian’s mind but I think he might be referring to some specific lies and not just clergy acting badly. I would like him to clarify.

Jeanne
Howdy, Jeanne,

I think we are dealing with semantics here.

You call the changing dogmas by the WTS, “lies”. In a sense I guess they are.
I call them mis-undertandings promoted as dogmas by the heads of that church.

Just like the Vastican used to promote that the Sun was not the “center of the universe”. Now, due to a better undersrtanding they do accept this as fact.
So, perhaps The Church did not lie… They just had a dogma that due to “new light” was changed to reflect fact.
Nonetheless, a great mind and man as Gallileo was put under house arrest, and only released from arrest by his death.
 
Howdy, Jeanne,

I think we are dealing with semantics here.

You call the changing dogmas by the WTS, “lies”. In a sense I guess they are.
I call them mis-undertandings promoted as dogmas by the heads of that church.

Just like the Vastican used to promote that the Sun was not the “center of the universe”. Now, due to a better undersrtanding they do accept this as fact.
So, perhaps The Church did not lie… They just had a dogma that due to “new light” was changed to reflect fact.
Nonetheless, a great mind and man as Gallileo was put under house arrest, and only released from arrest by his death.
Hi,
Thanks for clearing that up, and welcome back. I read a little on another thread.

The WT does lie though in some of their publications. I have their publication "Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand? and in skimming through on page 139 there are lies of omission. I have taken the time to sift through some of them and found the actual article that were quoting from and when you read the entire article and what the WT published it just amazes me. Don’t they feel guilty when they lie to their own congregation?
I have written them on this and as yet have not heard back.

God Bless
Jeanne
 
Hi,
Thanks for clearing that up, and welcome back. I read a little on another thread.

The WT does lie though in some of their publications. I have their publication "Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand? and in skimming through on page 139 there are lies of omission. I have taken the time to sift through some of them and found the actual article that were quoting from and when you read the entire article and what the WT published it just amazes me. Don’t they feel guilty when they lie to their own congregation?
I have written them on this and as yet have not heard back.

God Bless
Jeanne
Jeanne, I understand how you feel, and agree. They do a lot of slight of hand and in those publications.
I know, because I used to conduct book studies on Tuesday nights out of many of those books.

However, to them it is not a lie.

They believe that the Catholic church lies to parishioners when it comes to the transubstantiation.

Of course they like to state that we are cannibals hungry for Christ’s flesh and blood.

Perhaps if they would read and understand CCC1374, they might not be so sure of themselves on this matter.

It is a about perspectives, and beliefs, and about a lack of understanding.

Keep in mind that all they care about is converting everyone, come hell or high water!😃

Post Script
I doubt you will hear back from them. You may however get a knock on your door offering you a bible study.
 
Hi Vasian
I doubt you will hear back from them. You may however get a knock on your door offering you a bible study.
Actually I did hear back from then once. I sent them a letter regarding their “Bible Teach” book. It just gets a lot off my mind when I send them letters. I pray that I give the person who reads the letter a reason to maybe think for themselves and question the WT. And like you mentioned if you question too much they throw you out.

Mores the pity that they don’t consider it lying. Their “Trinity” book is loaded with edited texts. And why is it that they always mention the Catholics by name? I think that is what bothers me most of all. What are they afraid of?

I guess I am just to sensitive when it comes to my Catholic roots.

God Bless
Jeanne
 
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