The message or the messenger?

Simon

It seems that the WTS is keen to ascribe certain bible prophecies to itself as having fullfilled them.

The 'trumpet blasts' in Revelation become district conventions (or announcements at the conventions) and they make a great commotion about other things they 'announced' such as "millions now living" or "advertise, advertise, advertise".

It seems though that they always miss a key bit out - what exactly the announcements were or what they were to advertise!

I am pretty sure that all the original messages and beliefs that these were based around have long since been abandoned but they still cling to the idea that their announcing something was somehow linked to bible prophecy and had Jehovah behind it.

Do they think the message doesn't matter, just that there was a message (just don't ask us what it was).

Or perhaps the message doesn't matter at all and the messenger is all important?

I doubt many JWs know what was in any of these announcements, just that they are a fullfillment of bible prophecy (because it says so in the proclaimers book).

I know one old announcement they made that is still true:

"Religion is a snare and a racket"

Perhaps the WT leaders didn't see this as a condemnation but rather a recommendation of a good business to be in?

Richie

Those "trumpet blasts" are supposed to be coming from a perfect God and then to think that these "blasts" or holy messages were the wrong ones to begin with. What that does is make a mockery out of Jehovah, as if to say that the Almighty doesn't know what he is talking about. The WT cannot whitewash these blunders with their trademark reaction that the light is getting brighter and brighter. It sounds more like blasphemy rather than "truthbearers", but then again you Simon put it correctly by saying that indeed religion is a snare and a racket and who needs a kick in the behind? You guessed it....the Governing Ghost Busters!

Richie :*)

DannyBear

Simon,

I put my old jw hat on, so that I could respond like a one of the 'faithful'.

Whatever we said then, was a very important step in revealing the Bible's truth, even if it no longer applies today. It was controversial and exciting, so the context of what was said was and is not important.

It is apparent that from our earliest history, Charles Taze, the Judge, Fred Franz, realized the importance of such publicity. It worked, it brought about the intended. Millions dedicated thier lives to the preaching work. Even if they never saw the promises made, come true, they now have thier names written in the 'book of life'.

So how could we have carried out such a grand, awe inspiring work, without the loud, phonographs, sandwich cards, speaker cars, riots, assemblies, prophetic announcements? We would still be a little group of Bible students, just simply sharing 'Gods Word' and trying to do his will. Where would that have gotten us? See my point.

We needed to blast our own horns. We had to tell grandiose stories, based our 'current understanding', we knew the light would keep getting brighter, so there would be an endless supply of new 'prophetic announcements' to make, our horns will never stop tooting...thanks to the endless supply of material the Bible seem's to supply.

Hope this helps Simon, I know you have a good heart, and will continue to 'advertise, advertise, the king and his kingdom'!

Your brother,

BearAssinine of 'the humungous crowd'

Amazing

Excellent Simon! This is one of the more subtle and insideous aspects of Watch Tower theology, fulfillment of major prophecies at key conventions, such as Cedar Point Ohio ... Advertize, Advertize, Advertize the King and his Kingdom ... but they leave out the first part, which I recall says, Do you believe it? Do you Believe it? That Jesus returned in 1874? Al this a part of such grand fulfillment ... and the Society, as you say, gutted out the heart of the message, and focused on just the messenger - themselves. Good po0st, thanks. - Amazing

mustang

THE MESSAGE VS. THE MESSENGER....

I’ve used a variation on this phrase, but quite differently from your coverage of the prophetic; (actually, the PATHETIC prophetic).

I use it in certain discussions with obsessed JW’s. I highlight my remaining neutral about discussing doctrine (THE MESSAGE), while pointing out the unreasonable behavior of the JW as a person (THE MESSENGER).

Like the times that I have ‘busted the chops’ of City Hall, I only do this when the official/JW has blatantly broken some law/principle.

Their own evildoing does them in every time.

Mustang