FEDUP: A teaching no one wants to discuss anymore, which got covered up by a new light, which most can't even explain. Some still think that the teaching has never been updated. They haven't realized yet that the 1914 generation are all DEAD.
LARS: Good questions. But just to be brief about it, part of the problem is JWs not having the correct understanding.
The "end" that is mentioned in Matthew is a reference to the end of the current system of things the Jews were living under, which was under gentile control. So the "end" is not a reference to Armageddon but the end of gentile rule over the Jews, the end of the gentile times. So in reference to the 1914 generation, which is 80 years from 1914 to 1994, the "end" took place on November 30, 1947, when the UN's "Partition Agreement" went into effect, officially ending Jewish exile.
So key to a lot of hard questions is actually having the correct understanding.
Likewise the "great tribulation" which is over even before the messiah arrives (i.e. "Immediately after the tribulation of those days...the sign of the son of man will appear...") is also not a reference to Armageddon, but to the Holocaust.
Now the quick answer as far as only JWs surviving Armageddon, note that the WTS is the "evil slave" in prophecy. Note that the WTS, if they are God's public temple, made up of the public "anointed ones" then it of that religion will rise the "man of lawlessness" who rises up in God's own house. Having noted that, if the WTS makes up the "evil slave" organization, then who are the other "ten" slaves sent out? Further, if the faithful anointed of the WTS make up the "little flock," then who are the "other sheep" being gathered. Clearly, Christ gathers in more than one place and has more than one slave out there. This is ignored by JWs. So, in fact, the WTS is just one place where Christ gathers some of his elect.
Another thing to realize is that the 144,000 represent only 1/10th of the entire bride of Christ, the heavenly class. (Isa 6:13) The WTS, as noted, only produces the "little flock." They are the organization represented by the ten virgins, 5 of which don't qualify to get into the kingdom because they are not paying attention. The entire heavenly class is thus 1,440,000!
So in reality, if you don't feel like such an evil person, then probably neither does God and there is no reason why he wouldn't accept you.
Leaving the "broad road" means leaving the WTS, but also creating a personal relationship with God. That is what the narrow and cramped road is about. It's single file. It's not a large organization. It's not following some charismatic leader who has made himself a God and savior to all who follow them, but who know nothing more than reading the Watchtower while their Bible's collect dust.
So don't give up on God. Armageddon survivors will likely mimic the Holocaust (Zech 13:8):
ZECH 13:8 “And it must occur in all the land,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “[that] two parts in it are what will be cut off [and] expire; and as for the third [part], it will be left remaining in it. 9 And I shall certainly bring the third [part] through the fire; and I shall actually refine them as in the refining of silver, and examine them as in the examining of gold. It, for its part, will call upon my name, and I, for my part, will answer it. I will say, ‘It is my people,’ and it, in its turn, will say, ‘Jehovah is my God.’”
Based on the above, it would appear that one-third of today's population will actually survive Armageddon, with a high failure rate among JWs.
So perfectly understandable if you have issues with God based on the WTS' concept. But God gets a bad rap that way. If you go directly to the Bible and keep seeking understanding, then you will see God has your very best interests at heart and wants you to have eternal life.
So I would hope, someone who is apparently sincere like yourself, will seek understanding and learn that you don't need the WTS to have a personal relationship with Jehovah and that it is very important to separate all the false ideas of the WTS from those in the Bible.
Now, as far as 1914 goes, it is a good Biblical date for beginning the "last generation" of 80 years from 1914-1994. Within that generation would come the "end of the gentile times" (1947) as well as the 2nd coming in 1992. It is not a correct date for 2520 years from the fall of Jerusalem, however, since the true date for that event is 529 BCE and not 607 BCE. So it turns out getting to the "truth" is a difficult thing because after getting past WTS lies, you have to deal with secular lies sometimes. Anyway, based on 529 BCE the 2nd coming occurs not in 1914, but in 1992. Also, as noted, 1914 is not the date for the "end of the gentile times" but 1947 is.
So the Bible remains true, though the WTS has become the "false prophet." Jehovah understands it is very difficult to get past deception and false propaganda. But if you are HONEST, then when you see the light, it will make sense. When something doesn't quite add up or make sense, then keep trying to figure it out and many times you will find the answer.
So don't fret. Jehovah is not going to destroy anybody who is righteous. But you have a responsibility to keep seeking truth directly from the Bible.
But the best thing you have going for you is that you're being HONEST! You were right to dump the WTS, but don't give up on the Bible!
