How did the 1919 GB know they were chosen ?

by Phizzy 27 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  frankiespeakin

  Thanks Shirley,

  1915: "In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of the kingdom of God, will be accomplished near the end of A.D. 1915. (The Time Is At Hand, 1915 edition, p. 99)

  So it was in this harvest also up to A.D. 1878 the time prophecies and the fact of the Lord's presence, substantially as here presented, though less clearly, was our message. Since then the work has widened, and the view of other truths has become brighter and clearer; but the same fact and scriptures, teaching the same time and presence, stand unchallenged and incontrovertible. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 236)

  I forgot to mention being in a state of "Denial" also helped the Governing Body "know" they were chosen
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  konceptual99

  "Evidently" is the word. The bods in Brooklyn are capable of rewiriting history is a way that makes the North Koreans bow in subjection.
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  bennyk

  They didn't know they were "chosen".

  The supposed F&DS of 1919 continued to proclaim that Russell was the "Faithful and Wise Servant" until 1927. In fact, in the 15. December 1922 Watchtower, it is even stated that it was a necessity of the faith to believe that Russell served as such.
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  AndDontCallMeShirley

  The bods in Brooklyn are capable of rewiriting history is a way that makes the North Koreans bow in subjection.

  Where do you think the North Koreans learned it from? LOL.
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  Pterist

  They are grasping at straws right now as their errored premillennium type eschatology borrowed from the SDA has failed. They are at best just another denomination doing the best they can, or at worse a unrepentant false prophet. Take your pick !
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  AndDontCallMeShirley

  Not satisfied, the WT "foot planted firmly in mouth" scenerio continued:

  1918: "Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection." (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p. 89)

  1922 "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)

  1922 "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)

  1940 "The year 1940 is certain to be the most important year yet because Armageddon is very near. It behooves all who love righteousness to put forth every effort to advertise The Theocracy while the privileges are still open." (Informant, April, 1940, p. 1)

  1941 "Armageddon is surely near, and during that time the Lord will clean off the earth everything that offends and is disagreeable. ... From now on we shall have our heart devotion fixed on The Theocracy, knowing that soon we shall journey forever together in the earth. Our hope is that within a few years our marriage may be consummated and, by the Lord's grace, we shall have sweet children that will be an honor to the Lord. We can well defer our marriage until lasting peace comes to the earth." (J. F. Rutherford, Children, 1941, p.366)

  Oh, and remember folks... the WT has never made any false prophecies!!
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  AndDontCallMeShirley

  And, of course, when you speculate and it all goes south, the only reasonable thing to do is...blame God ! You know, the one you claimed you never invoked as the source of your prophecies?:

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  jvchap.10p.136GrowinginAccurateKnowledgeoftheTruth

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  Did the Lord tell us that we would be taken [to heaven] there

  In the November 15, 1955

  Watchtower President Knorr went so far as to say that God was the One who was responsible for the preaching of Rutherford’s message ! Under the heading, "Jehovah Is In His Holy Temple" it says

  …

  Stirring up increasing interest in them,

  Jehovah caused to be preached from 1918 the startling public message, "Millions Now Living Will Never Die."

  Ironically, the WT had the cajones to print this:

  w7211/1p.643BeBigEnoughtoAdmitaMistake? No. What did He say? His Word and the fulfil[l]ments of prophecy seemed to point unmistakably that this date marked the end of the Gentile Times. We inferredfrom this that the Church’s ‘change’ would take place on or before that date. But God did not tellus that it would be so. He permitted us to draw that inference; and we believe that it has proven to be a necessary test upon God’s dear saints everywhere."

  "Stumble" is just another word for "make a mistake." And though we all make mistakes, how difficult it is to admit making one! It goes against one’s pride. When one is charged with making a mistake one is prone to want to justify oneself, to make excuses, to shift blame onto others, or to deny having made the mistake. It takes bigness to admit a mistake, to shoulder the blame, to admit that one has been wrong, or used poor judgment.

  Refusing to admit that one has made a mistake is like claiming infallibility
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  Listener

  Phizzy " My point being, if they did not know they were the FDS or the GB, how could they function as such, much the same as 1914, if they did not realise at the time that the kingdom was established in Heaven, how could they be proclaiming it ?"

  You make a good point. If the master of a household is going away and appoints a person to take on extra responsibilities then that person has surely been told and knows when his duties begin. He would not have started fulfilling those new responsbilities beforehand because his master was already there to do them. It wasn't until the master had left that his new role began.