Truth is, the GB make sure they appear to be “covered” by talking out of both sides of their mouth in anticipation of any type of eventuality.
They have said and published in print that they do, in fact, speak for God as his sole mouthpiece and prophet – but they have also said that the men in the WTS, including the GB, are actually not inspired. . . . So therefore, if anything the WT says happens to “come true” (or at least seems to), such as the rough approximation of the timing of the first world war occurring sort of near one of their significant dates, namely 1914, then they can say, “See, we were right on that one!” But if – that is, when – things don’t actually happen according to how they said they would, then they can always just say, “Well, we never really said that we were actually inspired.”
The other such way the GB has “fixed,” or “covered,” potential outcomes of events is that they have said that increased distressing political upheavals and conflicts of the nations, such as civil and international wars and acts of terror, are signs that the great tribulation and Armageddon are about to happen (such as Matthew chapter 24) – but they have also said that whenever the nations are crying “peace and security,” then “sudden destruction” is to be “instantly” upon them (1 Thessalonians 5:3). . . . So therefore, when political tensions and conflicts erupt and worsen, then they can say, “See, these events are fulfilling Bible prophecy about the ‘sign’ of the ‘last days.’” But when such conflicts are in the process of being resolved, such as when certain “peace plans” start to be formulated and implemented, albeit usually quite temporary, then they can say, “It looks like this current talk of ‘peace and security’ is fulfilling Bible prophecy, so the UN is about to turn on false religion, which will be the beginning of the great tribulation, leading to Armageddon.”
So, you can really see how the GB has made sure that they keep all the bases covered, so that when whatever situation or event they could interpret as being “significant” arises, they can simply pick one of their pet statements they have already expressed to match it in a favorable light toward themselves. In other words, they have everything set up so that no matter what happens or doesn’t happen, they can always pull something out of their magic WT hat which may seem to prove them right, depending on how they manage to spin it. They’re always right, don’t you know.
