by Spectrum 64 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Ms. Swan has hit it right on the spot. While I was in my late teens or early twenty years then and did not feel quite the same terror, the fear factor for most of us was quite real. One million people do not hallucinate the same thing without probable cause.
Those of us (including ESPECIALLY those of use who are now 17) who cannot clearly remember our history are certainly destined to repeat it.
Maybe this is why the hydra has raised its head at least 5 times during the past century.
In or about 1968 the Truth that Leads to Eternal Life book (little blue book) was released. The drumbeat began for 1975.
The motor that drove the date came from a "careful" examination of scripture and history and prophecy (we were told).
The end of 6,000 years from Adam was purported to fall on the date 1975.
Not many of us active in the "TRUTH" at that time were aware of the detailed history of early publications which, naturally, pre-dated the Truth that Leads to Eternal Life book.
Here is an example:
(Source: Divine Plan of the Ages): "There are evidences that-Six thousand years from Adam ended in A.D. 1872) "...the exact Bible Chronology points to October 1872 as the beginning of the seventh thousand years, or Millennium .."
(Source: The Time is at Hand): "We are already living in the seventh Millennium--since October 1872" (1915 edition).
(Source: Watchtower Jul 15 1894): "We see no reason for changing the figures--nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God's dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble."
(Source: The Finished Mystery): "Not one vestige of [Christendom] shall survive the ravages of world-wide all embracing anarchy, in the fall of 1920."
(Source: Watchtower 1924): "The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly marked in Scriptures, even more clearly than that of 1914."
Note: The "ancient worthies were to be resurrected: Abraham, David, Noah, etc.
Source: Yearbook 1975): "..1925 was a sad year for many brothers. Some of them were stumbled; their hopes were dashed...Instead of its being considered a 'probability', they read into it that it was a 'certainty' and some prepared for their loved ones with the expectations of their resurrection."
Compare the above with this:
(Source: Watchtower Oct 15 1917): "There will be no slip-up...Abraham should enter upon the actual possession of his promised inheritance in the year 1925 A.D."
Source: Millions Now Living Will Never Die): "..1925 shall mark the resurrection of the faithful worthies of old....we must reach the positive and indisputable conclusion that millions now living will never die."
Now, just one more thing to frame this issue correctly. What was the penalty to faithful members of this religion who might not FULLY accept these pronouncements? Read this.
(Source: CONSOLATION): "[All adults and older children who fail to accept the messege of the Jehovah's Witnesses after 1918, and all babies and small children who might die at Armageddon because of their parent's rejection, will have no hope of resurrection]"
Have things changed any from that time period?
(Source: Watchtower Feb 1 1940): "We resolve that we shall obey all instruction received from the Watchtower, knowing that such proceed from the higher powers, Jehovah God and Christ Jesus. We resolve to be completely obedient to the Society as the visible part of the Great Theocracy."
Interestingly, in view of this quote, the incorrect interpretation of Romans 13 being taught by the Society stands out like a sore thumb. They have since aligned their interpretaion with that of Christendom!
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The men and women and children who listen to the pronouncements of the Watchtower Society have been threatened with their own lives if they do not believe every word and act on it. The have always been in a state of FEAR in regard to date setting and dare not shy away from buying into it completely.
The fact that Fred Franz dusted off the old 6,000 years since Adam routine and pumped fresh hot air into it should not surprise anybody. Neither should the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses had LEARNED NOTHING from the past failures of this organization. What should surprise us is that the Society was successful at using the same dishonest dodge in avoiding responsibility for ruining lives and dashing hopes with the same cold indifference as before!
The compliance of faithful believers who listened to a source authority is equated with selfishness and extravagent expectation rather than being honestly described for what it was: extorted obedience in the face of overwhelming assurance.
The Watchtower plays the game of absolute certainty to rule the lives of its membership. When the chickens come home to roost they are plucked and roasted for dinner!
Brownie points, indeed!
Terry
they are scumbags
they are scumbags
Pithier than my post and certainly more pointed!
Agreed.
T.
Terry,
Thanks that was excellent research. I was trying to convince my mother that JWs are false prophets so now I can show her this evidence. SHe still thinks that they are the most correct interpretation of Gods word even though she is not one of them. She doesn't like false prophets she equates them to people like Mohammed. Maybe this will do it.
