Watchtower 1914 Statements. Don't they know?

prophecor

Have witnesses been informed about the statement on the inside cover of WT regarding 1914 is no longer an issue. Do they realise that the statement has been removed? I was in the supermarket and a brother from my old congo asked what hall I attended now. Of course the full beard never gave a clue as to my no longer being in the Org.

I had a talk wiith him as to my beliefs no longer being of the WTS. Gave a few examples as to reasons why I no longer believe, one of them being the changing with regard to 1914, and it no longer being an issue about the end of the system, that generation not passing away until all those things having occured. He stated that nothing had changed. I tried to help understand that the statement no longer exist, but has been convieniently swept under the rug. Isn't this open knowledge among all witnesses, or are some still under the guise that nothing has changed with regard to 1914.

yaddayadda

Prophecor, presumably you are referring to the change in the statement of purpose for Awake! magazine from this:

"Most importantly, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away." (pre November 1995)

...to this:

"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." (November 8 1995)

I'd say less than 5% of JW's noticed this sneaky little change and that's being generous. (Compare Deuteronomy 18:21-22.)

This change in the Awake!'s stated purpose was necessitated by their technically ending the connecton of 'the generation' to 1914 and replacing it with this:

On page 17 of the November 1 1995 Watchtower, in the article "A Time to Keep Awake", the Society stated:

"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 characteristics."

The theme was expanded on page 19 of the same magazine:

"Therefore, in the final fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy today, "this generation" apparently refers to the peoples of earth who see the sign of Christ's presence but fail to mend their ways."

Of course, since 'the sign of Christ's presence' is still taught by the Society as having been in evidence since 1914, the link is subtly still there in many JW's minds.

greendawn

They are in denial a state otherwise known as cognitive dissonance, they can't believe that what they had hoped for over decades in many cases has come to nothing all the great hopes of paradise and eternal life were dashed. That's why the GB can still go on talking about a soon to be end when the new interpretation could well mean the end is centuries away. Not that loyally following the shifty false prophet that is the WTS means salvation in any way.

bigmouth

I pointed this change out to two elders 'visiting' me last year and both were unaware of the change of thinking and in the removal of 1914.

I recall a comment on JWD recently of a poster here out on field service with a new Witness. The former told the householder of the 'generation that saw 1914 will...etc.,' and the new dub laughed and asked where he got that idea from!

It's all done with sleight of hand!

BluesBrother

"Most importantly, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away." (pre November 1995)

I guess they would say that the statement change was simpy a requirement due to the "adjustment" that was explained in 1995. The fact is that they do not say anymore that the 1914 generation will have to see the end . Now that they are saying that the calling of the anointed did not stop in 1935, they are leaving it open for an indefinite time - no limits .. Fasten your seat belts, it may be a long ride ....