The following is an analysis of the "Adjustments for the Book Revelation--Its Grand Climax at Hand! (see Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2006)
Each "adjustment" is catagorized (in red) with the original edition text and context shown after (in blue).
To summarize the adjustments:
13 Corrections (18.5%) Most are minor technicalities.
15 Doctrinal Changes (21.4%) 14 of which relate to the change in doctrine that Jesus will not judge the "sheep and goats" until Armegeddon; 1 change is new this year regarding the river mentioned in Rev 22:1.
7 Historical Updates (10%) Most are increases of figures since originally published.
4 Outdated References: (5.7%) All reference our time as the "20th Century", interestingly showing how the WTS thought that the end would come before 2000
10 Reference Updates: (7%) Changed to reference more modern publications
21 Rephrasing: ( 30%) Some is banal or an effort to save face.
See related thread: September KM - 70 alterations in Revelation Climax Book
Adjustments for the Book Revelation—Its Grand Climax at Hand!
Listed below are the key adjustments to the book Revelation--Its Grand Climax at Hand! which was published in 1988. This list does not include, for example, certain statistical adjustments, which can be found in the latest Yearbook and in other publications.
CHAPTER 4
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
p. 19, ¶4, delete last citation: Matthew 25:31-33
OLD: In 1914 he was installed as King to rule among the earthly nations.--Psalm 2:6-9; Matthew 25:31-33.
CHAPTER 5
REFERENCE UPDATE
p. 24, ¶3, replace footnote with: * For a detailed explanation, see the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? pages 88-92, 215-28, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
OLD: Footnote: * For a detailed explanation, see pages 128-39, 186-9 of the book “Let Your Kingdom Come,” distributed by the publishers of this book.
CHAPTER 6
CORRECTION
p. 30, ¶11, lines 8-9, replace “2 Peter 3:1-3” with “2 Peter 2:1-3”
OLD: Nevertheless, the apostle Paul had foretold that there would be an apostasy among the anointed Christians, and Jesus’ messages show that in John’s old age this apostasy was already developing. John was the last of those who acted as a restraint on this all-out attempt by Satan to corrupt the seed of the woman. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; 2 Peter 3:1-3; 2 John 7-11)
REPHRASE
p. 30, ¶12, replace sixth sentence with: Finally, Roman Emperor Constantine gave state approval to the “Christain” religion, and this led to the development of Christendom, where Church and State joined forces in ruling for a thousand years.
OLD: Finally, Roman Emperor Constantine made “Christianity” the State religion, and this gave birth to Christendom, where Church and State joined forces in ruling for a thousand years.
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
CORRECTION
p. 32, box, replace first paragraph with: Jesus was baptized and anointed as King-Designate at the Jordan River about October 29 C.E. Three and a half years later, in 33 C.E., he came to Jerusalem’s temple and threw out those who were making it a cave of robbers. There appears to be a parallel to this in the three-and-a-half-year period from Jesus’ enthronement in the heavens in October 1914 until his coming to inspect professed Christians as judgment began with the house of God. (Matthew 21:12, 13; 25:31-33; 1 Peter 4:17) Early in 1918 the Kingdom activity of Jehovah’s people met with great opposition. It was a time of testing earth wide, and fearful ones were sifted out. In May 1918 Christendom’s clergy instigated the imprisonment of officials of the Watch Tower Society, but nine months later these were released. Later, false charges against them were dropped. From 1919 the organization of God’s people, tried and refined, moved zealously forward to proclaim Jehovah’s Kingdom by Christ Jesus as the hope for mankind.--Malachi 3:1-3.
OLD: Jesus was baptized and anointed as King-Designate at the Jordan River about October 29 C.E. Three and a half years later, in 33 C.E., he came to Jerusalem’s temple and threw out those who were making it a cave of robbers. There appears to be a parallel to this in the three-and-a-half-year period from Jesus’ ‘sitting down on his glorious throne’ in the heavens in October 1914 until his coming to inspect professed Christians as judgment began with the house of God. (Matthew 21:12, 13; 25:31-33; 1 Peter 4:17) Early in 1918 the Kingdom activity of Jehovah’s people met with great opposition. It was a time of testing earth wide, and fearful ones were sifted out. In May 1918 Christendom’s clergy instigated the imprisonment of officials of the Watch Tower Society, but nine months later these were released. Later, they were completely exonerated of the false charges against them. From 1919 the organization of God’s people, tried and refined, moved zealously forward to proclaim Jehovah’s Kingdom by Christ Jesus as the hope for mankind.--Malachi 3:1-3.
CHAPTER 8
CORRECTION
p. 40, ¶8, line 6, replace “125 errors” with 130 errors
OLD: A wave of persecution in the United States of America was climaxed when the new president of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph F. Rutherford, and seven associates were sent to prison on June 22, 1918, most of them with 20-year sentences. They were released on bail nine months later. On May 14, 1919, the appeal court reversed their erroneous convictions; there were shown to be 125 errors in the trial.
HISTORICAL UPDATE/REPHRASE
p. 40, ¶10, replace last sentence with: In the United States Supreme Court alone, Jehovah’s Witnesses have won 50 victories.
OLD: In the United States Supreme Court alone, Jehovah’s Witnesses have won 23 favorable decisions.
CHAPTER 10
REFERENCE UPDATE
p. 50, ¶11, replace footnote with: * See, for example, the article “Faithful Christian Women--Precious Worshipers of God” in the November 1, 2003, issue of The Watchtower.
OLD: See, for example, the article “Woman’s Role in the First-Century Congregation” in Awake! of May 22, 1978.
CHAPTER 11
REFERENCE UPDATE
p. 56, ¶9, replace second half of paragraph with: In this connection, the Watchtower magazine has given encouragement by discussing topics such as “Keep Proving What You Yourselves Are” and “Living No Longer for Ourselves.” * Having such Scriptural help, let us probe our innermost selves as we try to walk humbly and prayerfully in integrity before Jehovah.--Psalm 26:1-3; 139:23, 24.
OLD: In this connection, the Watchtower magazine has given encouragement by discussing topics such as “Are You Self-Indulgent—Or Self-Sacrificing?” and “Exert Yourselves Vigorously.” Having such Scriptural help, let us probe our innermost selves as we try to walk humbly and prayerfully in integrity before Jehovah.--Psalm 26:1-3; 139:23, 24.
REFERENCE UPDATE
p. 56, ¶9, replace footnote with: * See The Watchtower, July 15, 2005, and March 15, 2005.
OLD: See The Watchtower, August 1, 1978, and January 15, 1986.
CHAPTER 12
REFERENCE UPDATE
p. 61, ¶14, replace footnote with: # The Watchtower magazine, published by the John class, has continued to highlight the urgency of seizing this opportunity and sharing as fully as possible in the preaching work; for example, see the articles “Let All Declare the Glory of Jehovah” and “Into All the Earth Their Sound Went Out” in the January 1, 2004, issue of The Watchtower. In the June 1, 2004, issue, in the article “Blessed Are Those Who Give Glory to God,” emphasis was placed on entering an “opened door” into full-time service. There was a peak of 1,093,552 pioneers reporting such service during one month in 2005.
OLD: The Watchtower magazine, published by the John class, has continued to highlight the urgency of seizing this opportunity and sharing as fully as possible in the preaching work; for example, see the articles “Declare Abroad the Kingdom of God” and “Urgently Needed—More Harvest Workers!” in the December 15, 1985, issue. In the February 1, 1987, issue, in the article “Doing Our Utmost to Declare the Good News,” emphasis was placed on entering an “opened door” into full-time service. There was a peak of 650,095 pioneers reporting such service during one month in 1987.
CHAPTER 13
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
p. 69, ¶11, replace last sentence with: Almost 40 years ahead of time, they pointed to 1914 as the year marked in Bible prophecy as the end of the times of the Gentiles, accompanied by startling developments on earth.--Revelation 1:10.
OLD: Almost 40 years ahead of time, they pointed to 1914 as the year marked in Bible prophecy as the end of the times of the Gentiles, when civil and ecclesiastical powers would be shaken.--Revelation 1:10; Luke 21:24-26, King James Version.
CORRECTION
p. 69, ¶12, column 2, line 10, replace “El Paso, Texas,” with: Pampa, Texas.
OLD: In 1884 Russell became the first president of the corporation now known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. In 1916 he died on a train near El Paso, Texas, en route to New York, exhausted by his final preaching tour of the western United States.
HISTORICAL UPDATE
p. 71, ¶14, line 3, replace “ in 1988 of more than 20 million,” with: in 2006 of more than 59 million
OLD: The John class to this day directs the publishing of The Watchtower and Awake!, which magazines had a combined circulation in 1988 of more than 20 million.
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
p. 73, ¶23, line 12-13, delete citation: Matthew 25:31
OLD: The judgment began in 1918 with professed Christians. Anointed conquerors who died before that time would then be resurrected and join Jesus in his Kingdom. (Matthew 25:31; 1 Peter 4:17)
CHAPTER 16
REFERENCE UPDATE
p. 90, ¶4, replace second footnote with: * For detailed proof that Jesus came into his Kingdom in 1914, see pages 215-18 of the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
OLD: For detailed proof that Jesus came into his Kingdom in 1914, see chapter 14 and the appendix of the book “Let Your Kingdom Come,” published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
p. 90, ¶6, replace paragraph with: Why, though, must the newly crowned King ride forth to war? It is because his kingship is established in the face of bitter opposition from Jehovah’s chief adversary, Satan the Devil, and those on earth who--knowingly or unknowingly--serve Satan’s ends. The birth of the Kingdom itself calls for a major war in heaven. Fighting under the name Michael (meaning “Who Is Like God?”), Jesus overcomes Satan and his demons and hurls them down to the earth. (Revelation 12:7-12) Jesus’ ride of conquest continues through the opening decades of the Lord’s day while sheeplike humans are being gathered. Though the whole world still lies “in the power of the wicked one,” Jesus lovingly continues to shepherd his anointed brothers and their companions, helping each to achieve the conquest of faith.—1 John 5:19.
OLD: Why, though, must the newly crowned King ride forth to war? It is because his kingship is established in the face of bitter opposition from Jehovah’s chief adversary, Satan the Devil, and those on earth who—knowingly or unknowingly—serve Satan’s ends. The birth of the Kingdom itself calls for a major war in heaven. Fighting under the name Michael (meaning “Who Is Like God?”), Jesus overcomes Satan and his demons and hurls them down to the earth. (Revelation 12:7-12) Jesus’ ride of conquest continues through the opening decades of the Lord’s day while the nations and peoples of earth are being judged and sheeplike humans are being gathered to the King’s side for salvation. Though the whole world still lies “in the power of the wicked one,” Jesus lovingly continues to shepherd his anointed brothers and their companions, helping each to achieve the conquest of faith.—1 John 5:19; Matthew 25:31-33.
HISTORICAL UPDATE
p. 92, ¶9, replace last sentence with: Growth has been outstanding in Catholic lands and in countries where persecutions were most bitter—such as Germany, Italy, and Japan, in which the Witnesses are now reporting a total well over 600,000 active field ministers.—Isaiah 54:17; Jeremiah 1:17-19.
OLD: Growth has been outstanding in Catholic lands and in countries where persecutions were most bitter—such as Germany, Italy, and Japan, in each of which the Witnesses are now reporting well over 100,000 active field ministers.—Isaiah 54:17; Jeremiah 1:17-19.
OUTDATED REFERENCE (20th Century)
p. 94, ¶18, replace paragragh with: Could we call this a triumph for military technology? It is, rather, a testimony that the merciless red horse is at the gallop. And where will that gallop end? Some scientists speak of the possibility of an accidental nuclear war—let alone a planned nuclear conflagration! But happily the conquering Rider of the white horse has other thoughts about this.
OLD: Could we call this a triumph for military technology? It is, rather, a testimony that the merciless red horse is at the gallop. And where will that gallop end? Some scientists forecast mathematically that an accidental nuclear war is virtually certain to take place within the next 25 years—let alone a planned nuclear conflagration! But happily the conquering Rider of the white horse has other thoughts about this.
HISTORICAL UPDATE
p. 94, ¶28, replace paragraph with: Of current importance here is “deadly plague.” Following in the wake of the ravages of World War I, the Spanish flu reaped over 20 million human lives in just a few months of 1918-19. The only territory on earth to escape this scourge was the small island of St. Helena. In places where the population was decimated, funeral pyres were lit to burn the piles of bodies. And today there is the frightful incidence of heart disease and cancer, much of which is caused by tobacco pollution. In what has been described as “the ugly decade” of the 1980’s, a way of life that is lawless by Bible standards has added the scourge of AIDS to the “deadly plague.” In the year 2000, the U.S. surgeon general was reported as calling AIDS “probably the worst health epidemic the world has ever known.” He said that 52 million around the world had contracted HIV/AIDS, and of them 20 million had died. How thankful Jehovah’s people are that the wise counsel of his Word keeps them away from fornication and misuse of blood, through which so many diseases are transmitted today!—Acts 15:28, 29; compare 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
OLD: Of current importance here is “deadly plague.” Following in the wake of the ravages of World War I, the Spanish flu reaped over 20 million human lives in just a few months of 1918-19. The only territory on earth to escape this scourge was the small island of St. Helena. In places where the population was decimated, funeral pyres were lit to burn the piles of bodies. And today there is the frightful incidence of heart disease and cancer, much of which is caused by tobacco pollution. In what has been described as “the ugly decade” of the 1980’s, a way of life that is lawless by Bible standards has added the scourge of AIDS to the “deadly plague.” At the time of this writing, all who contract this disease die, and it is estimated that in the United States alone 270,000 will be sick with AIDS by 1991; millions appear to be doomed in Africa. How thankful Jehovah’s people are that the wise counsel of his Word keeps them away from fornication and misuse of blood, through which so many diseases are transmitted today!—Acts 15:28, 29; compare 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
CHAPTER 17
CORRECTION
p. 100, ¶2, line 14, replace “1 Chronicles 23:4” with 1 Chronicles 24:4
OLD: Already, though, he has described Jehovah on His throne, the surrounding cherubs, the glassy sea, the lamps, and the 24 elders carrying incense—all of these resembling features of the earthly tabernacle, Jehovah’s sanctuary in Israel. (Exodus 25:17, 18; 40:24-27, 30-32; 1 Chronicles 23:4)
CHAPTER 18
OUTDATED REFERENCE (20th Century)
p. 106, ¶7, replace paragragh with: World War II brought another wave of upheavals. And smaller wars along with international terrorism continue to shake the earth. The fearful threat of terrorists or states using weapons of mass destruction has many people wondering.
OLD: World War II brought another wave of upheavals. And smaller wars continue to shake the earth as we approach the end of this century. But will the present system make it that far? The fearful threat of a nuclear holocaust has many people wondering. Happily, the answer rests not with man but with his Creator.—Jeremiah 17:5.
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
p. 106, replace question numbered 7-9 (b) with: The upheavals in human society during Jesus’ presence would eventually include what situation amoung mankind?
OLD: How does Jesus’ prophecy at Luke chapter 21 describe upheavals in human society and their effect?
REPHRASE
p. 107, ¶9, replace third sentence with: The dark days that followed were surely a part of the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy about his presence, which would include “anguish of nations, not knowing the way out . . . while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.” (Luke 21:7-9, 25-31) *
OLD: The dark days that followed were surely a part of the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy that the sign of his presence would include “anguish of nations, not knowing the way out . . . while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.” (Luke 21:7-9, 25-31) *
CORRECTION
p. 107, ¶9, replace footnote with: * For more than 35 years, from 1895 to 1931, the words of Luke 21:25, 28, 31 were quoted on the cover of the Watchtower magazine against the backdrop of a lighthouse illuminating stormy skies over raging seas.
OLD: For more than 35 years, from 1896 to 1931, the words of Luke 21:25, 28, 31 were quoted on the cover of the Watchtower magazine against the backdrop of a lighthouse illuminating stormy skies over raging seas.
REPHRASE
p. 107, ¶11, replace fourth sentence with: Satan’s world system has been put on notice by this global warning.
OLD: Since the year 1919 in particular, Jehovah has caused his witnesses to proclaim his judgments among all elements of human society on earth. Satan’s world system has been rocked and shaken by this global warning.
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
p. 109, ¶17, delete second sentence following quote of Revelation 6:12b, 13: It represents the culmination of the catastrophic situation that Jesus had earlier prophesied about at Matthew 24:29.
OLD: As John goes on to show, the great earthquake is accompanied by terrifying events that involve even the heavens. He says: “And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the entire moon became as blood, and the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as when a fig tree shaken by a high wind casts its unripe figs.” (Revelation 6:12b, 13) What a striking phenomenon! It represents the culmination of the catastrophic situation that Jesus had earlier prophesied about at Matthew 24:29. Can you imagine the frightening darkness that would result if the prophecy were fulfilled literally? No more warm, comforting sunlight by day! No more friendly, silvery moonlight by night! And the myriad stars would no longer twinkle against the velvety backdrop of the sky. Instead, there would be cold, relentless blackness.
CHAPTER 20
HISTORICAL UPDATE
p. 123, ¶11 replace fourth sentence with: At the time of this writing, various forms of MEPS are used in more than 125 locations around the earth, and this has helped to make possible publication of their principal semimonthly journal, The Watchtower, in 130 languages simultaneously.
OLD: At the time of this writing, various forms of MEPS are used in more than 60 of the Watch Tower Society’s branches around the earth, and this has helped to make possible publication of their principal semimonthly journal, The Watchtower, in 39 languages simultaneously.
REPHRASE
p. 128, ¶30 replace last sentence with: Only a minority of mankind, including those of the sealed 144,000 who might still be remaining in the flesh and a great crowd of other sheep who will “stand,” that is, survive with them.—Compare Jeremiah 35:19; 1 Corinthians 16:13.
OLD: Only a minority of mankind, including those of the sealed 144,000 still remaining in the flesh and a great crowd of other sheep who will “stand,” that is, survive with them.—Compare Jeremiah 35:19; 1 Corinthians 16:13.
CHAPTER 22
OUTDATED REFERENCE (20th Century)
p. 143, replace subheading with: The Locust Plague Today
OLD: The 20th-Century Plague
REPHRASE
p. 146, ¶16 replace sentences following quote of Revelation 9:10 with: What could this mean? As they go about their Kingdom work, Jehovah’s Witnesses, using the spoken word and printed publications, issue authoritive statements based on God’s Word. Their message has a scorpionlike sting because they warn of Jehovah’s approaching day of vengeance. (Isaiah 61:2) Before the present generation of spiritual locusts lives out its life span, its divinely ordained work of declaring Jehovah’s judgments will be completed—to the hurt of all stiff-necked blasphemers.
OLD: What could this mean? As they go about their Kingdom work, Jehovah’s Witnesses leave behind them publications—books, magazines, brochures, timely tracts. These contain authoritative statements, based on God’s Word, for the people to read in their homes, and they have a scorpionlike sting because they warn of Jehovah’s approaching day of vengeance. (Isaiah 61:2) Before the present generation of spiritual locusts lives out its life span, its divinely ordained work of declaring Jehovah’s judgments will be completed—to the hurt of all stiff-necked blasphemers.
REFERENCE UPDATE
p. 147, ¶17, replace footnote with: * This magazine was renamed Consolation in 1937 and Awake! in 1946.
OLD: * This magazine, now published semimonthly, was renamed Consolation in 1937 and Awake! in 1946.
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
CORRECTION
p. 147, ¶19, replace lines 7-11 with: (Matthew 24:3-14; Revelation 12:1-10) Thereafter, it quoted the manifesto published in London in 1917 and signed by eight clergymen, who were described as being “among the world’s greatest preachers.”
OLD: At this convention, the symbolic locusts received further fighting equipment, notably a new book entitled Deliverance. It included a Scriptural discussion of the sign proving that the ‘man child’ government, Christ’s heavenly Kingdom, had been born in 1914. (Matthew 24:3-14; Luke 21:24-26; Revelation 12:1-10) Thereafter, it quoted the manifesto published in London in 1918 and signed by eight clergymen, who were described as being “among the world’s greatest preachers.”
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
p. 160, ¶21, replace “goatlike people” with: opponents
p. 160, ¶21, replace Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46” with: Phillipians 1:27-28
OLD: These, too, vigorously proclaim the good news, using sweet, gracious words to describe Jehovah’s marvelous provision for sheeplike Christians. (Psalm 37:11, 29; Colossians 4:6) But to goatlike people, this is bad news. Why? It means that the system in which they trust—and which may even have brought them a transitory satisfaction—must go. For them, the good news spells doom.—Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46; compare Deuteronomy 28:15; 2 Corinthians 2:15, 16.
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
p. 160, replace question numbered 21 (b) with: Why is the good news bad news for opponents?
OLD: Why is the good news bad news for goatlike people?
CHAPTER 25
REFERENCE UPDATE
p. 162, ¶4, replace footnote with: * For a full discussion of this great spiritual temple, see the articles “Jehovah’s Great Spiritual Temple” in the July 1, 1996 issue of the Watchtower and “The One True Temple at Which to Worship,” in the December 1, 1972, issue.
OLD: For a full discussion of this great spiritual temple, see the article “The One True Temple at Which to Worship,” in the December 1, 1972, issue of The Watchtower.
REPHRASE
p. 162, ¶5, replace third sentence with: In the Hebrew Scripture prophecies, such measuring provided a guarantee that justice would be rendered on the basis of Jehovah’s perfect standards.
OLD: In the Hebrew Scripture prophecies, such measuring provided a guarantee that justice, tempered with mercy, would be rendered on the basis of Jehovah’s perfect standards.
CORRECTION
p. 162, ¶7, replace second sentence following quote of Revelation 11:2 with: As we shall see, the reference here is to the literal 42 months extending from December 1914 to June 1918, when all professing Christians were put to a severe test.
OLD: As we shall see, the reference here is to the literal 42 months extending from October 1914 into 1918, when all professing Christians were put to a severe test.
REPHRASE
p. 164, ¶12, replace third sentence with: Additionally, at the beginning of the Lord’s day, there was a marked period of three and a half years when the hard experiences of God’s people matched the events prophesied here—starting in December 1914 and continuing to June 1918.
OLD: Additionally, at the beginning of the Lord’s day, there was a marked period of three and a half years when the hard experiences of God’s people matched the events prophesied here—starting from the outbreak of the first world war in the latter part of 1914 and continuing to the early part of 1918.
REPHRASE
p. 165, replace caption with: The rebuilding work by Zerubbabel and Joshua indicated that in the Lord’s day small beginnings would be followed by great increase among Jehovah’s Witnesses. Facilities such as the ones shown above, which are in Brooklyn, New York, have had to be greatly expanded in order to help meet their needs
OLD: The rebuilding work by Zerubbabel and Joshua indicated that in the Lord’s day small beginnings would be followed by great increase among Jehovah’s Witnesses. Printing facilities such as the ones shown above, which are in Brooklyn, New York, have had to be greatly expanded in order to help meet their needs
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
p. 165, ¶15, replace “Matthew 17:1-3; 25:31” with: Matthew 17:1-3
OLD: The fact that they were described as two witnesses also reminds us of the transfiguration. In that vision, three of Jesus’ apostles saw him in Kingdom glory, accompanied by Moses and Elijah. This foreshadowed Jesus’ sitting down on his glorious throne in 1914 to accomplish a work prefigured by those two prophets. (Matthew 17:1-3; 25:31)
CHAPTER 26
CORRECTION
p. 175, ¶12, replace footnote with: * Roman historian Tacitus reports that when Jerusalem was captured in 63 B.C.E. and Cneius Pompeius entered the temple sanctuary, he found it was empty. There was no ark of the covenant within.—Tacitus History, 5.9.
OLD: * Roman historian Tacitus reports that when Jerusalem was captured in 63 B.C.E. and Cneius Pompeius entered the sanctuary of Herod’s temple, he found it was empty. There was no ark of the covenant within.—Tacitus History, 5.9.
CHAPTER 27
REPHRASE
p. 185, box, replace sixth paragraph with: In Spain homes were invaded and Christians fined and imprisoned for the “crime” of talking about God and holding Christian meetings. This persecution finally ended in 1970, when, as a result of the government’s change in policy toward non-Catholic religions, Jehovah’s Witnesses were allowed to become legally registered.
OLD: In Spain homes were invaded and Christians fined and imprisoned for the “crime” of talking about God and holding Christian meetings. This persecution finally ended in 1970, when a change of government led to a lifting of the ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses.
REPHRASE
p. 185, ¶28, replace first two sentences with: This vicious flood of persecution reached a high point during World War II. In Europe some 12,000 Witnesses were incarcerated in Nazi concentration camps and prisons, and about 2000 died.
OLD: This vicious flood of persecution reached a high point during World War II. In Europe some ten thousand Witnesses were incarcerated in Nazi concentration camps, and thousands died.
CHAPTER 28
REFERENCE UPDATE
p. 187, ¶4, replace footnote with: * For further details, please see pages 165-79 of the book Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy! published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
OLD: * For further details, please see pages 166-201 of the book “Your Will Be Done on Earth,” published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
CORRECTION
p. 190, ¶15, replace first three sentences with: For the dominant seventh head of the wild beast, that war was a major disaster. Along with other European nations, Britain lost its young men in traumatic numbers. In one battle alone, the Battle of the River Somme in 1916, there were 420,000 British casualties along with some 194,000 French and 440,000 German—more than 1,000,000 casualties!
OLD: For the dominant seventh head of the wild beast, that war was a major disaster. Along with other European nations, Britain lost its young men in traumatic numbers. In one battle alone, the Battle of the River Somme in 1916, 420,000 British soldiers died, along with 200,000 French and 450,000 German—more than 1,000,000 fatalities!
CORRECTION
p. 190, ¶15, column 2, replace line 1 with: Their trials came to a climax in June 1918,
OLD: Such pressure led to intense suffering on the part of many of the anointed ones, who felt that their higher obedience belonged to Jehovah God and his Son, Christ Jesus. (Acts 5:29) Their trials came to a climax in May 1918, when they were ‘conquered.’ In the United States, prominent officers and other representatives of the Watch Tower Society were wrongly imprisoned, and the organized preaching by their Christian brothers was greatly hindered.
CHAPTER 29
REPHRASE
p. 202, ¶14, replace lines 1-3 with: The 144,000 are “bought from the earth,” “bought from among mankind.” They are adopted as sons of God, and after their
OLD: The 144,000 are “bought from the earth,” “bought from among mankind.” They are adopted as spirit sons of God, and after their resurrection, they will no longer be mere flesh-and-blood humans.
CHAPTER 30
REPHRASE
p. 206, ¶3, replace second sentence with: Well, what resulted after 539 B.C.E. when ancient Babylon fell?
OLD: You may ask, ‘Since religion still exercises great influence in the earth, why does the angel announce that Babylon the Great has fallen?’ Well, what resulted in 539 B.C.E. when ancient Babylon fell? Why, Israel was freed to return to its homeland and restore true worship there!
REPHRASE
p. 209, ¶10, replace line 1 with: By the 1870’s anointed Christians began
OLD: In the 1870’s anointed Christians began to make determined efforts to disassociate themselves from the whorish ways of Babylon the Great.
REPHRASE
p. 209, replace question numbered 10 with: What took place by the 1870’s, and how did Babylon the Great react to this?
OLD: What took place in the 1870’s, and how did Babylon the Great react to this?
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
p. 212, ¶23, replace third, fourth, and fifth sentences with: Immediately, Jesus obeys. First, from 1919 on, he has his angels complete the harvesting of the 144,000. (Matthew 13:39, 43; John 15:1, 5, 16) Next, the harvest ingathering of the great crowd of other sheep takes place. (John 10:16; Revelation 7:9)
OLD: Immediately, Jesus obeys. First, from 1919 on, he has his angels complete the harvesting of the 144,000. (Matthew 13:39, 43) Next, the harvest ingathering of the great crowd of other sheep takes place. (Matthew 25:31-33; John 10:16; Revelation 7:9)
CHAPTER 32
REPHRASE
p. 231, ¶27, replace last section of paragraph starting from citation “Matthew 24:42, 44” with: (Matthew 24:42, 44; Luke 12:37, 40) Echoing this warning, the apostle Paul said: “Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them.” Satan is behind any such false proclamation of “Peace and security!”—1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3.
OLD: (Matthew 24:42, 44; Luke 12:37, 40) Echoing this warning, the apostle Paul said: “Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them.” Satan is even now maneuvering the nations toward making that false proclamation of “Peace and security!”—1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3.
CHAPTER 33
CORRECTION
p. 243, ¶21, replace second to last sentence with: Significantly, the pope gave very little attention to Jesus Christ or of God’s Kingdom in his speech.
OLD: Significantly, the pope made no mention of Jesus Christ or of God’s Kingdom in his speech.
CORRECTION
p. 245, ¶25, line 6, replace “(Revelation 14:8; 17:2)” with: (Revelation 14:8; 17:4)
OLD: Look now at what the harlot has in her hand. John must have gasped at the sight of it—a golden cup “full of disgusting things and the unclean things of her fornication”! This is the cup containing “the wine of the anger of her fornication” with which she has made all the nations drunk. (Revelation 14:8; 17:2)
CHAPTER 34
OUTDATED REFERENCE (20th Century)
p. 246, ¶1, replace second to last sentence with: But the vision becomes a startling reality in our day.
OLD: The John class today also wonders with great wonderment as events unfold in fulfillment of the prophetic vision. If people of the world could see it, they would exclaim, ‘Incredible!’ and the world’s rulers would echo, ‘Unthinkable!’ But the vision becomes a startling 20th-century reality. God’s people have already had a remarkable share in the vision’s fulfillment, and this assures them that the prophecy will move right on to its astounding climax.
CORRECTION
p. 249, ¶10, replace fourth sentence with: According to a report by the International Peace Research Institute, as many as five million people were killed as a result of wars during 1986 alone!
OLD: In an effort to bolster the hopes of mankind, the United Nations proclaimed 1986 to be an “International Year of Peace,” with the theme “To Safeguard Peace and the Future of Humanity.” Warring nations were called upon to lay down their weapons, at least for one year. What was their response? According to a report by the International Peace Research Institute, more than five million soldiers were killed in combat during 1986 alone!
REFERENCE UPDATE
p. 250, ¶12, footnote, replace “1981” with: 1993
OLD: Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of 1981 defines Jehovah God as “a supreme deity recognized and the only deity worshiped by Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
HISTORICAL UPDATE
p. 251, ¶14, replace paragraph with: In recent years, politicians have used the phrase, “peace and security” to describe various human schemes. Do such efforts by world leaders constitute the beginning of the fulfillment of 1 Thessalonians 5:3? Or was Paul referring only to a specific event of such dramatic proportions that it will claim world attention? Since Bible prophecies are often understood only after they are fulfilled or in the course of fulfilllment, we will have to wait and see. Meanwhile, Christians know that whatever peace and security the nations may have appear to achieved, basically nothing will have changed. Selfishness, hatred, crime, family breakdown, immorality, sickness, sorrow, and death will still be here. That is why no cry of “peace and security” needs to mislead you, if you remain awake to the meaning of world events and have heeded the prophetic warnings in God’s Word.—Mark 13:32-37; Luke 21:34-36.
OLD: What form will this significant cry of “Peace and security!” take? It is here mentioned as being outstanding just before the sudden destruction of those making the cry. Hence, it will have to be something more pronounced than any previous declarations by world leaders. No doubt it will be on an earth-wide scale. Yet, it will be no more than a facade. Underneath, nothing will really have changed. Selfishness, hatred, crime, family breakdown, immorality, sickness, sorrow, and death will still be here. That is why the coming cry will mislead those who are not awake to Bible prophecy. But it need not mislead you, if you have been awake to the meaning of world events and have heeded the prophetic warnings in God’s Word.—Mark 13:32-37; Luke 21:34-36.
CHAPTER 36
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
p. 259, ¶4, replace last two sentences with: In 1914, Jesus became a heavenly King, and since that time he has been exercising authority over the earth as Jehovah’s associate King and Judge. It is fitting, then, that he should announce the fall of Babylon the Great.
OLD: In 1914 ‘the Son of man arrived in his glory,’ and since that time Jesus, installed “on his glorious throne” in the heavens, has been exercising authority over the earth as Jehovah’s associate King and Judge. It is fitting, then, that he should announce the fall of Babylon the Great.—Matthew 25:31, 32.
HISTORICAL UPDATE
p. 260, ¶9, replace first four sentences with: Ancient Babylon’s fall in 539 B.C.E. was the start of a long decline that ended in her desolation. Similarly, since the first world war, the influence of Babylonish religion has declined remarkably on a global scale. In Japan, Shinto emperor worship was proscribed following the second world war.
OLD: Ancient Babylon’s fall in 539 B.C.E. was the start of a long decline that ended in her desolation. Similarly, since the first world war, the influence of Babylonish religion has declined remarkably on a global scale. In Russia, the Bolshevik Revolution has continued to stifle the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church. In Japan, Shinto emperor worship was proscribed following the second world war. In China, the communist government controls all religious appointments and activity. In Protestant northern Europe, most people have become indifferent to religion. And the Roman Catholic Church has recently been weakened by schisms and internal dissent in its global domain.—Compare Mark 3:24-26.
DOCTRINE CHANGE (“Judging” effective 1995)
p. 265, ¶22, delete last citation: —Compare Matthew 24:15, 16.
OLD: In the same way, the release of God’s people from Babylonish captivity in 1919 led to rejoicing on their part. (Revelation 11:11, 12) And since that time millions of others have obeyed the order to flee.—Compare Matthew 24:15, 16.
REPHRASE
p. 266, ¶28, replace third and fourth sentences with: She is to receive twice as much as she gave out. There will be no mercy because Babylon the Great has shown no mercy to her victims.
OLD: She is to receive twice as much as she gave out. There will be no mercy to temper this justice because Babylon the Great has shown no mercy to her victims.
CHAPTER 38
REPHRASE
p. 277, ¶17, replace last two sentences with: If any anointed ones still survive on earth, they will doubtless enter into their heavenly reward soon after Christ completes his conquest and will join their fellow members of the bride class. Then, at God’s due time, the marriage of the Lamb can take place!
OLD: No doubt, anointed ones who survive on earth will soon enter into their heavenly reward to join their fellow members of the bride class. Then, amid a setting of universal peace, the marriage of the Lamb can take place!
REPHRASE
p. 277, ¶18, replace first sentence with: The prophetic account in Psalm 45 describes the order of events.
OLD: The prophetic description of events in Psalm 45 confirms that order. First the enthroned King rides forth to the conquest of his enemies. (Verses 1-7) Then the marriage is performed, the heavenly bride being attended on earth by her virgin companions, the great crowd. (Verses 8-15) Next the marriage becomes fruitful, with resurrected mankind being raised to perfection under oversight of “princes in all the earth.” (Verses 16, 17) What glorious blessings accompany the marriage of the Lamb!
CHAPTER 39
REPHRASE
p. 281, ¶10, replace last two sentences with: Further, “all the angels” will attend upon Jesus as he sits on his glorious throne and proceeds to judge the nations and people of earth. (Matthew 25:31, 32) Surely, in the decisive war, when God’s judgments are executed to a finality, Jesus will again be accompanied by his angels.
OLD: Further, “all the angels” now attend upon Jesus as he sits on his glorious throne and proceeds to judge the nations and people of earth. (Matthew 25:31, 32) Surely, in the decisive war, when God’s judgments are executed to a finality, Jesus will again be accompanied by his angels.
CHAPTER 41
REPHRASE
p. 296, ¶5, replace first three sentences with: Who are left to be judged after the old earth and the old heaven flee away? Not the anointed remnant of the 144,000, for these have already been judged and sealed. If any of the anointed are still alive on earth after Armageddon, they must shortly thereafter die and receive their heavenly reward by resurrection. (1 Peter 4:17; Revelation 7:2-4)
OLD: Who are left to be judged after the old earth and the old heaven flee away? Not the anointed remnant of the 144,000, for these have already been judged and sealed. Those still alive on earth after Armageddon must shortly thereafter die and receive their heavenly reward by resurrection. (1 Peter 4:17; Revelation 7:2-4)
CHAPTER 43
DOCTRINE CHANGE (Effective 2006)
p. 311, ¶19, replace sentences after citation “Revelation 11:15; 12:10” with: During the time of the end, the spirit and the bride have been inviting rightly disposed ones to take life’s water free. Water from this river will continue to be made available to such ones right up to the end of this system of things and, thereafter, on to the new world, when New Jerusalem ‘comes down out of heaven from God.’—Revelation 21:2.
OLD: Previous to that date, “the Lamb” was not enthroned as Messianic King. Additionally, since the river runs through the broad way of New Jerusalem, the time of the vision’s fulfillment must be after the destruction of Satan’s world, when New Jerusalem ‘comes down out of heaven from God.’—Revelation 21:2.
REPHRASE
p. 312, ¶26, replace first two sentences with: Those trees, well watered by the river, may include the 144,000 members of the Lamb’s wife. While on earth these also drink of God’s provision for life through Jesus Christ. Interestingly, these spirit-begotten brothers of Jesus are prophetically called “big trees of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:1-3; Revelation 21:6)
OLD: Those trees, well watered by the river, may additionally picture the 144,000 members of the Lamb’s wife. While on earth these also drink of God’s provision for life through Jesus Christ and are called “big trees of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:1-3; Revelation 21:6)