What if there was "new light" that the 144,000 was symbolic?

by Sour Grapes 23 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Titus

  I think that something different will happen: they will say that not all 1st century Christians were anointed. And it will solve the problem of increasing number of "anointed" partakers. Study the article in WT Mrach 15 2010 "One shepherd one flock" and you'll see they are preparing the way for "new light".
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  thetrueone

  The possibility of that to happen is more than likely since the numbers of the said anointed have been increasing over the years.

  The WTS.. has been very devious in changing doctrine when its deemed necessary, if time passes on and people start to do some

  mental math in their heads of how many of the anointed have come forth, there might be some needed changes to correct the problem.
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  OnTheWayOut

  I don't see this happening. The dubs totally "in" don't see that such a literal number must have been filled in the ancient days.
  They don't see that such a literal number must have been filled again in the early 20th century.
  
  I see WTS choosing the stupid (still unofficial until they print it) overlap doctrine of the 1914 generation anointed and the last last days anointed.
  That was what they kicked around at their corporation meeting (I forget what they actually call the annual meeting): that the anointed from 1914 would live long enough to have shared the coveted title of "anointed" with younger ones that they actually knew who would be alive when the end finally arrives.

  It sounds so stupid that they might go with it. After a few decades of that, who knows what they will do? But by then, the guys in the GB will all be dead or senile and won't have to clean up that mess. They probably will be back down to 3 million members by then, also.
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  Titus

  Onthewayout, this was your 10000th post!! Congratulations!
• 

  restrangled

  Sour Grapes,

  I think they would accept it hook, line and sinker. It's just logical, and it would also give hope to those who honestly wanted to be in heaven, but never partook of the emblems. Also, what's left of the "old guard" 1914 toting generation, are in their mid 70's to mid 80's. They will all be gone soon, and the society will be able to seamlessly introduce the new concept.

  r.
• 

  VoidEater

  Since "the generation" is symbolic, what it points to now surely will become symbolic.

  In the end: Armageddon is symbolic and occured in 1895!
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  Sour Grapes

  I have a question. What is the reason that the Witchtower Babel

  and Trick Society post larger numbers of the anointed every year?

  Wouldn't it keep the flock all hyped up if they reported smaller

  numbers every year? 8,500 in 2010, 8,300 in 2011, 8,150 in 2012, 8,000 in

  2013, etc. They could drop 200 a year and go on for 40 years.

  That would keep everybody in expectation because the number

  of anointed is getting smaller. I guess the real problem is in 40 years

  when then are only 10 remaining.

  Sour Grapes
• 

  cantleave

  Titus I read through that article. Are you referring to paragraph 13?

  "Jesus referred to this new covenant on the night before his death when he said: "This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is poured out in your behalf." Are all Christians included in this new covenant? No. Some, like the apostles who drank of the cup that evening are participants in the new covenant*. Jesus made another covenant with them to rule together with him in his kingdom. They will share with Jesus in his Kingdom.

  * Jesus is the mediator of that covenant, not a participant, he evidently did not partatke of the emblems.

  I suspose that could imply that only the Apostle with him were participants and not the rest of the christian converts at that time. Lets see if the WTS develops this.
• 

  God_Delusion

  I too can't see it happening and fully back OnTheWayOut's comment.

  They will print the "new light" theory of over-lapping generations in 2010. I do believe that there may come a time when the 144,000 are viewed as symbolic, but that will be a long time yet.

  Regards
  RAB
• 

  snilfc

  symbolic of what the fact that 144,000 stands for something that isn,t just what the number is means it is symbolic of something nice to see your catching up though :)