The observation is interesting since by my own words I have advised DOT to seek his own answers by researching the apostate question possessed by so many ex witness just to contradict the teaching of the JW”s organization. I have not directly addressed the question as it has been debated for generations including here at the JWN. I refuse to be manipulated by divisionism, that confine there irrational predisposed ideology that follow such masters of deception as Doug Manson, Carl Olof, Raymond Franz, Stevenson and many other ex witness that by far distort every reasoning, even with their own writing and publications of the WTS.
The so called interesting question revered by DD is a ploy to enter into a debate he has debated here and in other forums for many years. I will not subjugate my time with such farce. However if DATA DOG wishes to debate an vinculum that has no end, then by all means impress DOT with his interpretation with the following basic thought that is not mine but could aid DOT to see the outcome. Personally I reserve my time and yield back my time to the forum.
EXTRACT FROM DAssembly 2011, FRI. A.M. TALK #2 "How We Know God's Kingdom Will Come Soon." "So far we've examined two lines of evidence indicating that God's kingdom will come soon. We've seen how world conditions at Revelation 6 and how people's attitudes at 2 Timothy 3 prove the nearness of God's kingdom.
But there's still a third line of evidence. That's the development among God's people themselves. Now we know the resurrection of the anointed began shortly after Christ was enthroned in 1914. But not all the anointed have completed their earthly course. The reason that this is relevant is because something that we read, again in Revelation chapter 6. This time we start in verse 9. Let's go back to Revelation 6 ... notice as we read 9 through 11 ... [reads]. So here, the Scriptures are describing two parts of the same group whose lives would overlap - those anointed already in heaven and those still here on the earth. Interestingly, this is consistent with Jesus' words at Matthew 24 verse 34 where he stated, "This generation will by no means pass away, until all these things occur."
Now the obvious question is, to what generation was Jesus referring and what does this have to do with Revelation chapter 6? Well, like Revelation, the generation that Jesus was referring to also consists of two groups of people whose lives would overlap. Group 1 of this generation discerned the sign of Christ's presence in 1914. But they weren't merely born in 1914 nor merely alive to witness the start of Christ's presence. They were spirit-anointed in or before 1914. Therefore, the generation Jesus referred to saw the start of the last days. The second group are those that will see the end of this system of things. As the first group grew older, the second group started to be born so that for a while the two groups overlapped one another - they were contemporaries of one another.
We might think of it this way. While we were in school, we were contemporaries with children of other ages who were also going through school. Even though our ages differed, we were collectively known as 'school age children.' We were all part of the same generation of students. Obviously the older ones finished their course, even while the younger ones were just starting out.
Now, applying that thought to Jesus' illustration, he said in effect, before these younger students could complete their course, this system will have already ended. Now this is important because today, today those younger ones are themselves well advanced in years. This underscores how little time remains and clearly indicates the tribulation must be near. And soon now, Christ will complete his conquest over those who refuse to recognize his authority. This becomes clear as we finish Revelation chapter 6, starting in verse 12 ... [reads v. 12-17]. Yes indeed, who will stand? The very fact that the question is asked shows that not all will. But Revelation chapter 7 goes on to say that those who stand are the remaining ones of the anointed and a great crowd of other sheep.
So how do we know that the kingdom is coming soon? Is it just a feeling that we have? No, not at all. We've reviewed multiple lines of Scriptural evidence, we've taken eye-witness testimony, all leading to the same conclusion: we are deep into the end of this system. God's kingdom will soon come. Christ will soon complete his conquest. He'll soon guide people, survivors to paradise. So we know that God's kingdom will soon come."
The Watchtower (Study Edition), April 15th, 2010 Issue, Pages 27-29:
"This magazine has long been used by “the faithful and discreet slave” as the primary channel for dispensing increased light. ... What does this explanation mean to us? Although we cannot measure the exact length of “this generation,” we do well to keep in mind several things about the word “generation”: It usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6) How, then, are we to understand Jesus’ words about “this generation”? He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation. That generation had a beginning, and it surely will have an end. The fulfillment of the various features of the sign clearly indicate that the tribulation must be near. By maintaining your sense of urgency and keeping on the watch, you show that you are keeping up with advancing light and following the leadings of holy spirit.—Mark 13:37."
Prior teachings on "generation":
From the Reasoning book:
Definition: The Bible uses the expression “last days” to refer to the concluding time period leading up to a divinely appointed execution that marks the end of a system of things. The Jewish system with its worship built around the temple in Jerusalem experienced its last days from 33 to 70 C.E. What occurred then was pictorial of what would be experienced in a greatly intensified way and on a global scale at a time when all nations would be facing the execution of judgment decreed by God. The present wicked system of things, which extends worldwide, entered its last days in 1914, and some of the generation alive then will also be on hand to witness its complete end in the “great tribulation.”
Luke 21:31, 32: “When you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near [that is, the time when it will destroy the present wicked world and itself take full charge of earth’s affairs]. Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur.” (The “generation” that was alive at the beginning of fulfillment of the sign in 1914 is now well along in years. The time remaining must be very short. World conditions give every indication that this is the case.)
Reasoning from the Scriptures (1989), "Last Days", under the heading, "To what do all these events of the 'last days' point?"
Watchtower 1995 November 1 p.20
"Eager to see the end of this evil system, Jehovah's people have at times speculated about the time when the "great tribulation" would break out, even tying this to calculations of what is the lifetime of a generation since 1914. However, we "bring a heart of wisdom in," not by speculating about how many years or days make up a generation, but by thinking about how we "count our days" in bringing joyful praise to Jehovah. (Psalm 90:12) Rather than provide a rule for measuring time, the term "generation" as used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics. In line with the above, professor of history Robert Wohl wrote in his book The Generation of 1914: "A historical generation is not defined by its chronological limits . . . It is not a zone of dates." Therefore, in the final fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy today, "this generation" apparently refers to the peoples of earth who see the sign of Christ's presence but fail to mend their ways Is anything to be gained, then, by looking for dates or by speculating about the literal lifetime of a "generation"?... Does our more precise viewpoint on "this generation" mean that Armageddon is further away than we had thought? Not at all! Though we at no time have known the "day and hour," Jehovah God has always known it, and he does not change. (Malachi 3:6) Obviously, the world is sinking further and further toward terminal ruination. The need to keep awake is more critical than it has ever been. Jehovah has revealed to us "the things that must shortly take place," and we should respond with an absorbing sense of urgency."
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