This Generation will not pass away?

by Pureheart 32 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Pureheart

  Hello Folks,
  please dissect this one for me.

  *** w97 5/1 29 Questions From Readers ***
  Questions From Readers
  Could it be said that the recently updated understanding of the word “generation” at Matthew 24:34 allows for the idea that the end of the system of things could be delayed into the distant future?
  That is certainly not the case. On the contrary, the recent improved understanding of this matter should help us to keep in constant expectation of the end. How so?
  Well, as The Watchtower of November 1, 1995, explained, Jesus applied the phrase “this generation” to contemporary wicked people. (Matthew 11:7, 16-19; 12:39, 45; 17:14-17; Acts 2:5, 6, 14, 40) It was not, as such, a description of a fixed length of time beginning with a specific date.
  In fact, “Questions From Readers” in that same issue of The Watchtower focused on two key points: “A generation of people cannot be viewed as a period having a fixed number of years” and, “The people of a generation live for a relatively brief period.”
  We often use “generation” in this way. For example, we might say, ‘The soldiers of Napoléon’s generation knew nothing about airplanes and atom bombs.’ Would we be referring just to soldiers who were born in the very same year as Napoléon was? Would we be referring merely to those French soldiers who died before Napoléon did? Of course not; nor would we by such a use of “generation” be trying to fix a set number of years. We would, though, be referring to a relatively short period, not hundreds of years from Napoléon’s time into the future.
  It is similar with our understanding of what Jesus said in his prophecy given on the Mount of Olives. The fulfillment of the different features of that prophecy proves that the end of this system is close. (Matthew 24:32, 33) Remember that according to Revelation 12:9, 10, with the establishment of God’s heavenly Kingdom in 1914, Satan was cast down to the vicinity of the earth. Revelation adds that Satan now has great anger. Why? Because he knows “he has a short period of time.”—Revelation 12:12.
  It was thus appropriate that The Watchtower of November 1 carried the subheading “Keep on the Watch!” The following paragraph aptly said: “We do not need to know the exact timing of events. Rather, our focus must be on being watchful, cultivating strong faith, and keeping busy in Jehovah’s service—not on calculating a date.” Then it quoted Jesus’ words: “Keep looking, keep awake, for you do not know when the appointed time is. But what I say to you I say to all, Keep on the watch.”—Mark 13:33, 37.

  (Revelation 1:1-10) A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent forth his angel and presented [it] in signs through him to his slave John, 2 who bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, even to all the things he saw. 3 Happy is he who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and who observe the things written in it; for the appointed time is near

  Pureheart
• 

  JanH

  The answer to the question is essentially "no, but yes." Without a timeframe, teh end-time expectation is reduced to an unspecific "soon". As we know, "soon" can easily mean 2000 years in Christian exegesis.

  - Jan
  --
  "Doctor how can you diagnose someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and then act like I had some choice about barging in here right now?" -- As Good As It Gets
• 

  Pathofthorns

  Could it be said that the recently updated understanding of the word “generation” at Matthew 24:34 allows for the idea that the end of the system of things could be delayed into the distant future?
  That is certainly not the case.

  This is a blatant lie. The end "could" very well be delayed into the distant future (of course, "distant" being a completely relative term). The previous understanding put an end limit on a time frame where the end could be expected to arrive (the generation that saw 1914, or were born in 1914 would not "pass away").

  Now the Society puts NO limits, and certainly would not guarantee and especially guarantee in writing any sort of date that one could be certain that the end would have arrived by.

  Absolutely NO ONE in the organization would have anticipated the 'system' to have gone on this long. But they realize if this "sense of urgency" diminishes (which it has been for a while) they will be hardpressed to keep the R&F in the loop.

  Path
• 

  Moxy

  even among the brothers, i dont think this made any sense to anyone really. what does 'short' mean anymore? 80 years, 90 years sure. but not 'hundreds of years' - o god no. how do you figure? whats the difference?

  and as far as the napolean analogy goes, i think the analogy would be better if you said, 'the soldiers of napoleons generation would see the advent of electrical light.' or 'the soldiers of napoleons generation would not pass away before the advent of electrical light.' now i think a reader would clearly infer a span of time less than a human lifetime, dont you?
  mox
• 

  Grout

  They want to give up on the reasons for urgency but keep the urgency. "No I won't pay you, but you have to work anyway!" Right.
• 

  joelbear

  Constantly changing the meaning of words has made all the words in the Bible basically meaningless. If one took every word and dissected it the way the watchtower has done here with the word generation, then Bible passages could be tossed hither and thither as far as their meanings go.

  Joel
• 

  ISP

  So the FDS was appointed in 1919....and it wasn't until a further 76 that the FDS got the 'generation' teaching correct! You would think that Jesus would have made sure that they knew this most simple of facts. The old understanding was whisked away with a flurry of dictionary definitions of 'generation' etc. It left behind a confused bunch of followers who now knew they had preached falsehoods for as long as they lived.

  ISP
• 

  Pathofthorns

  The thing is, the Society's present "generation" understanding has been around for quite a while and did not originate with them.

  What the dirty thing is, they waited until 80 years (1914-1995)(or the Biblical lenght of a generation according to the scripture in Psalms) elapsed before switching to this present "new" understanding.

  In otherwords another failed prophecy.

  * I also liked the QFR on the separating of the sheep and goats if that being in the future makes the preaching work redundant. LOL (another "not really, and here's why" article)

  Path
• 

  metatron

  Good for you, joelbear.

  I've tried to make this point before with eternal torment
  being mentioned in Rev. 20:10 but Witlesses never catch on.
  You take one plain forceful dramatic scripture and drain its
  meaning - why not do the same with all of the Bible?

  metatron
• 

  Thirdson

  Moxy,

  Actually, in WTS terms the Napoleon generation still exists. It is not the Generation that saw Napoleon or even those born in the year he came to power. Rather it is the contemporary generation that saw Napoleon and everyone since who recognizes Napoleon was a real guy.

  Thirdson (member of Noah's generation)

  'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'