New Light on 1914

by slimboyfat 27 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  slimboyfat

  So with all the study articles discussing new light some have speculated that something is in the works.

  Blondie pointed out that in 1995 there were also "new light" articles leading up to the generation and the "sheep and the goats" changes.

  There was some debate on whether the new light on the generation was first released at the convention or in the autumn Watchtower. I think consensus was reached that it was not mentioned at the 1995 convention, but was first discussed in the Watchtower later that year. Probably it was deemed too big a change to be entrusted to a brother in a talk - better to put it down in writing first. But I do think the sheep and the goats change was mentioned at the convention of that year - that was probably not as damaging a change as the generation teaching where they had painted themselves into a corner.

  So what will the new change be, if the recent "new light" articles are indeed leading up to something. Many would hope it would be on blood, but it won't - they wouldn't dare change that now after defending it so long. Besides, the "new lght" article itself actually mentioned the introduction fo the blood doctrine in 1945 positively.

  But there was no mention of 1914 in the article, I don't think. And I don't recall reading about it in the recent magazines either.

  There was a hint about the up-and-coming generation change in 1995 when the new study book "Knowledge" was released and it did not mention the teaching. So we will need to look at the new publication closely to see if it reiterates the the 1914 teaching, or whether some other teaching is omitted. Also watch out the Watchtowers from now on to see if they omit 1914. I think they stopped plugging the generation teaching for something like up to a year before they announced they had dropped it.

  If it is a big reversal, like the generation change, it will probably not be announced at the convention but in a Watchtower study article again later in the year.

  It is just possible that they will change the 1914 teaching. They don't need to, not yet, so in that sense it would be surprising if they changed something when they are not actually forced to do so by circumstance. But then again, there may be someone actually doing some thinking for a change at the top.

  Has anyone else seen 1914 mentioned in the magazines recently?
• 

  TheListener

  I put this in another thread earlier, but I will say it here too.

  The society is a business. The GB or lawyers or whoever run it that way. They will only change that which is necessary to hold onto publishers and the donations they give.

  I don't think 1914 gives many publishers sleepless nights. Is it crazy and screwed up? Yes. Does it make the average publisher wonder about the nature of their faith? No.

  I don't think blood gives many publishers sleepless nights. For those that have issues with the blood transfusion doctrine they can now accept all fractions. The society has given the publishers enough of a choice they the rank and file feel satisfied. Is it biblical? No. Is it logical or right? No. Does it keep publishers up at night wondering if they're serving God properly? No. - unless it has to do with lawsuits and potential financial losses;then they'll change it lickety split.

  What is it that will cause the annual report to stop losing weight? How can greater donations be generated?

  Perhaps, the friends are wearing out. Perhaps they're tired of living with alarm bells all around. Perhaps they want to do whatever the FDS says but they want to do it without the stress of MORE MORE MORE MORE being screamed in their ears.

  It's a gamble for the society. If they drop the urgency plea the friends may abandon ship or they may become heartened and stick with the society for the long haul - just knowing they're doing the right thing by following God's representatives regardless of the paradise timing.

  The question is then, what can the society do to keep members, keep member's money yet not lose sight of the end?

  I really don't know. But, I bet the society has been working on this problem for several years.
• 

  blondie

  WT studied on 3-19-06

  8 Jehovah's "good pleasure," or purpose, would be fulfilled by means of "an
  
  administration." Paul used a word that literally means "household management."
  
  It refers, not to a government, such as the Messianic Kingdom, but to a way of
  
  managing things.* (Footnote: * Paul's words show that the "administration" was
  
  functioning in his day, whereas the Scriptures indicate that the Messianic
  
  Kingdom was not established until 1914.) The wonderful way in which Jehovah
  
  would administer things to accomplish his purpose involved a "sacred secret"
  
  that would progressively be made known over the centuries.-Ephesians 1:10; 3:9,
  
  footnotes.
• 

  slimboyfat

  What was the other thread?

  You may be right. But if the articles are preparation, they must be preparation for something big.

  What do you think the new light might be if not 1914?
• 

  slimboyfat

  When was the last affirmation of the generation teaching before it was dropped? I think it was sometime in 1994.

  If they mentioned 1914 as recently as March, then I suppose we can assume they are not changing that - but then, what can it be?
• 

  Check_Your_Premises

  Yeah, the WDTBRT book is the key to figuring out what the new light, if any will be.

  To my recollection it is mostly a watered down knowledge book with all the controversial stuff relegated to appendix. An early, notable absent teaching was the "Faithful Discreet Slave" doctrine. I doubt they are getting rid of that. That is THE fundamental tenet of the jw faith. It is just so easily refuted. I think they are just keeping that one back until they got their hooks into you and you are studying the worship book.

  I believe 1914 is mentioned in WDTBRT, however less emphasized. The chronlogy crap is in an appendix I believe. So no, I don't think it is 1914 that is getting the boot.

  Is it possible that rather than jettisoning an old teaching, they might be creating a new one? Maybe a new endtime date? I doubt that since there is just to much of a free flow of info.

  Is it possible they are making the changes much more slowly, since there is so much info available. Maybe it is a teaching that indirectly supports 1914 or is supported by 1914. At some point 1914 has to get dumped since it is getting to be a pretty outdated teaching. We are almost 100 years into CHrist's reign and still no big A.

  CYP
• 

  Elsewhere

  To my recollection it is mostly a watered down knowledge book with all the controversial stuff relegated to appendix. An early, notable absent teaching was the "Faithful Discreet Slave" doctrine. I doubt they are getting rid of that. That is THE fundamental tenet of the jw faith.

  
  

  True, but the Governing Body is not... that came along, I believe, in the 1970's.

  They have been pushing the new term "administration" for the last year or so... like they are getting the JWs used to the new term. Several years ago the WTS restructured their corporations and removed the GB from all formal leadership positions. The GB is in full control, but not in any official capacity.

  Perhaps the WTS will eliminate the GB arrangement and will have the WTS corporations take on the "administration". This could also explain the elimination of the Bethel Elder arrangement. If this is true, then the New Light (TM) should be reveled shortly after August 31, 2006. (http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/108811/1.ashx)
• 

  Mary

  Maybe they're going to reveal that taking vaccinations will not make a person go insane.
• 

  Legolas

  then I suppose we can assume they are not changing that - but then, what can it be?

  I believe it is going to have something to do with the 'anionted'....some new slant.... that the door wasn't closed in 1935 or something along that line!
• 

  greendawn

  The R&F JWs are borderline morons they will accept anything the GB comes up with, already their paradise expectations were blown by the new 1914 generation concept but they don't realise it.
  
  As said further up the WTS is a big business and it belongs to the world of big business, its leaders are above all businessmen and not spiritual leaders. Their roots are judeo-masonic and they continue to operate in that mold.