Let's just get something straight about 1975. (page 9)

confusedjw

To the original point:

Then why did the Society finally 'apologize' for presenting the 1975 date as "more of a probability than a possibility"?

If I go into a bank with my hand in my pocket and ask that the teller put all the money in her cash drawer in a bag and give it to me by passing her a note that says "Do as I say and nobody will get hurt"---do you think I am a bank robber?

Can I defend myself by saying I never threatened her or anybody else and did not show a weapon?

Context defines particularlity.

The Watchtower Society bullies its opinion through the context of speaking on behalf of Jehovah. It never clearly makes a disclaimer about "human opinion and nothing more" when it starts crying END TIMES.

I lived through the release of the TRUTH book in 1968 (while in Federal Prision) and right through the 1975 non-event.

Everybody--every JW was on pins and needles one way or the other. They didn't dream up a reason to be primed for an event. It was the result of being led to expectations on the Authority of the Faithful (ha!) and discreet (ha!) slave.

The own it, baby!

WTFBBQPWNT

Bravo friends.

This is more than enough info that I needed. Not being alive in 1975, I wanted to see how many sources could be quoted on this thread and thank you for everybody that posted audio or articles.

Let's face it, when one is searching for answers on this forum, the only way to get some real results is to start controversy. If I were to have started a thread that said, "Can someone help me find references saying that 1975 would mark the end?", the page wouldn't have gotten 3 replies.

Arthur

Let's face it, when one is searching for answers on this forum, the only way to get some real results is to start controversy. If I were to have started a thread that said, "Can someone help me find references saying that 1975 would mark the end?", the page wouldn't have gotten 3 replies.

Oh, you sneaky scoundrel you! Such machinations! Such treachery!

greendawn

I wasn't a JW at the time but from what I have read the org did promote the 1975 in a cunning way without explicitly expressing it but nonetheless they did make comments that were meant to trigger off the hysterical expectations and activities which the org did nothing to stop.

Jamie_from_Canada

the hint about 1975 was like a girl flirting with you under the table. She gives you some clear messages but when she finds herself distracted by someone new or cant deal with the pressure of commitment-she denies she ever implied or said anything.

Jim_TX

Ummm... I was there. I 'lived' in - 1975. I remember the congregation that I was in - about 4 or 5 years prior to 1975, needing to get a loan for re-furbishing the kingdom hall. They were sooooo proud of themselves - they got very low monthly payments - and a balloon note due in the fall of (wait for it)... 1975 You should have heard the snickering and laughter in the audience... when they announced that one - as everyone had been told - and believed that 1975 was 'the end'. Well... I was also there in 1975 - when they had to go out and hastily get the balance of the note re-financed - so that they wouldn't have to pay a whopping amount in the fall. Not too many were laughing then. I also remember not thinking about my future beyond 1975, either. I graduated from High School in 1974, and hadn't really thought out what I wanted to do... as I had been told - and I guess believed - 1975. Well... I can't 'prove' that they came out and directly said '1975' - but there were sure a lot of folks that believed it. Regards, Jim TX

R6Laser

After reading most of this thread I still can't see where in a printed publication by the wts the date 1975 was mentioned as the end. I see alot of 'we are near the end', which has always been the case since I can remember. So if someone can just quote the publication where it is printed that the end was in 1975, I'll appreciate it. Thanks.

blondie

That's correct, the WTS said the end came in 1925 (was that invisibly?).

"The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures because it is fixed by the law God gave to Israel. Viewing the present situation in Europe, one wonders how it will be possible to hold back the explosion much longer; and that even before 1925 the great crisis will be reached and probably passed" (Watch Tower, 1 September 1922, p. 262).

"A simple calculation of these jubilees brings us to this important fact: Seventy jubilees of fifty years each would be a total of 3500 years. That period of time beginning 1575 before A.D. 1 of necessity would end in the fall of 1925, at which time the type ends and the great antitype must begin. What, then, should we expect to take place? In the type there must be a full restoration; beginning of restoration of all things. The chief thing to be restored is the human race to life; and since other Scriptures definitely fix the fact that there will be a resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and other faithful ones of old, and that these will have the first favor, we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men and Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected and fully restored to perfect humanity and made the visible, legal representatives of the new order of things on earth. (Millions now living will never die, 1920 p 89-90)

1920 "Based upon the argument heretofore set forth, then, that the old order of things, the old world, is ending and is therefore passing away, and that the new order is coming in, and that 1925 shall mark the resurrection of the faithful worthies of old and the beginning of reconstruction, it is reasonable to conclude that millions of people now on the earth will be still on the earth in 1925. Then, based upon the promises set forth in the divine Word, we must reach the positive and indisputable conclusion that millions now living will never die." (Millions Now Living Will Never Die. 1920 p. 97)

"The period must end in 1925. The type ending, the antitype must begin; and therefore 1925 is definitely fixed in the scriptures. every thinking person can see that a great climax is at hand. The Scriptures clearly indicate that the climax is the fall of Satan's empire and the full establishment of the Messianic kingdom. This climax being reached by 1925, and that marking the beginning of the fulfillment of the long promised blessings of life to the people, millions now living on earth will be living then and those who obey the righteous laws of the new arrangement will live forever. Therefore it can be confidently said at this time that millions now living will never die." (Golden Age, Jan. 4, 1922, p. 217)

"We have no doubt whatever in regard to the chronology relating to the dates of 1874, 1914, 1918, and 1925. It was on this line of reckoning that the dates 1874, 1914, and 1918 were located; and the Lord has placed the stamp of his seal upon 1914 and 1918 beyond any possibility of erasure. What further evidence do we need? Using this same measuring line.... it is an easy matter to locate 1925, probably in the fall, for the beginning of the antitypical jubilee.There can be no more question about 1925 than there was about 1914." (Watchtower, p. 150, May 15, 1922)

plmkrzy

Quote

*** Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15 ***

If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system

of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt

system is due to end in a few years. Of the generation that observed the beginning of the 'last days' in 1914,

Jesus foretold: 'This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' Therefore, as a

young person,you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in high school and

thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate

into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way

towards its finish, if not actually gone! This is why parents who base their lives on God's prophetic Word

find it much more practical to direct their young ones into trades that do not require such long periods of

additional schooling… True, those who do not understand where we are in the stream of time from God's

viewpoint will call this impractical. But which is really practical: preparing yourself for a position in this

world that soon will pass away? or working toward surviving this system's end and enjoying eternal life in

God's righteous new order?

Let's just get something straight about 1975.