The 'Generation' is BACK!

by nicolaou 15 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  nicolaou

  The following is copied directly from the Society's official website. For any here who are familiar with the change in understanding of the 1914 Generation, it may seem quite shocking.
  The Society put this information on their site *after* the change in understanding and have kept it there for the past five years!

  begin quote

  16 How long a time period would these last days prove to be? Jesus said regarding the era that would experience the "beginning of pangs of distress" from 1914 onward: "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." (Matthew 24:8, 34-36) Thus, all the features of the last days must take place within the lifetime of one generation, the generation of 1914. So some people who were alive in 1914 will still be alive when this system comes to its end. That generation of people is now very advanced in years, indicating that there is not much time left before God brings this present system of things to an end.

  end quote

  Here is the link if you'd like to check it for yourselves, just go to paragraph 16

  http://www.watchtower.org/library/pr/soon_realized.htm

  So what are your views?
  Is the Generation really back?

  More to follow........

  Nicolaou

  http://communities.msn.co.uk/altJehovahsWitnesses

  Edited by - nicolaou on 23 February 2001 1:50:51
• 

  eyes_opened

  What do they say about that now anyhow? My FIL had mentioned that they had changed their view on the 1914 thing but I didn't ask him about what they now thought.

  Thanks!

  Eyes

  "One Persons Heresy Is Anothers Truth"
• 

  Andy_Bosi

  What happens to the new light? Did somebody misplace the flashlight?
  :)

  Yeah, I used to believe that Armageddon was going to come before I finish high school!! I used to feel sorry for all my worldly friends who were going to get killed... Yeah, I was a fool...

  This 1914 Generation/Armageddon thing has been so central to the JW preaching, that's how the WT org was able to enjoy steady growth for a long time. But it is time to pay the pied piper... People are getting a little tired of hearing that the sky is falling..

  I wonder what the WT will say in 100 years?

  /Andy
• 

  larc

  You guys,

  I don't know why you people make fun of this sacred teaching. I believe it. I have been pioneering for a hundred and twenty years now.
• 

  mommy

  Larc,
  LOL you are on a role tonight huh?
  Thanx for your humour You get me laughing and I forget the real reasons I am here
  wendy
• 

  larc

  Hey mommy,

  That's the reason we are here - to laugh and have a good time. On another thread your Freudian slip to MDS was right precious.
• 

  Gozz

  Nicolau,
  if you want to see brilliant flashes of light, then attend the meetings and read current magazines. Why do you expect to see new things on the Internet? We don't wish that you abandon the real safety of the congregation for the virtual chaos of the Net. A word's enough for someone seeking to become wise.
• 

  Frenchy

  Nicolau:
  What you are reading is the brochure: "God's Purpose Soon to Be Realized" that the WTS has on its site. That brochure was published in 1993 and the 'new light' came out near the end of 1995.
  Here are a few tidbits from that WT article:
  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.
  ...Yes, the complete triumph of the Messianic Kingdom is at hand! 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!
  W 11/1/95

  -Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it-
• 

  nicolaou

  In the summer of '99, some of us may have been at the 'Gods Prophetic Word' convention. I made a couple of posts in my own alt.JW site regarding something I heard there way back in July and would like to know if anyone has heard anymore about it.
  The point was this.
  
  The convention speaker stated that, "SOME OF THE REMNANT WILL STILL BE ALIVE ON EARTH AT THE START OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION"
  
  Let me make it clear that the WTB&TS are not saying that the end will come within the lifetime of any individuals (anointed or otherwise) who witnessed/were born in 1914.
  The word 'generation' has become so loaded and inextricably linked with 1914 that most JW's cannot see beyond the old theology.
  However the principle is exactly the same so I feel it is fair to claim that the Generation is back.
  
  Let me explain.
  
  Previously, Armageddon had to come within the lifetime of the
  generation living on earth who were born in/witnessed the events of 1914.
  That was then replaced by the new understanding of Jesus use of the word 'generation' as simply being the mass of wicked, ungodly people living at the time of the end.
  
  Now however, the WTB&TS have tied themselves to a new point in time, the point at which the ingathering of Jesus anointed brothers was completed. According to many Watchtower publications (see Proclaimers ch 12), that was in 1935.
  The WTB&TS are now saying that the great tribulation will start WITHIN THE LIFETIME OF THE LAST INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE BEEN ANOINTED!
  
  It has been said that there will always be the fanatic JW who declares himself anointed and that therfore the situation can go on indefinately. RHW said that "many of the "chosen ones" (at least those claiming to be anointed) are much younger...some in their 50's or younger....the time could conceivably be extended well into this century"
  Personally I've not heard of anyone claiming to be of the remnant who is so young, but it's a good point.
  However, if asked , would the Governing Body say they expect any of the remnant to prove unfaithful and thus need replacing? NO!
  And so, do they expect the Great Tribulation to start WITHIN THE LIFETIME OF THE REMAINING 8661 *LIVING* MEMBERS OF THE REMNANT?

  YES!!

  And remember, the ingathering of these anointed/chosen ones/remnant/144,000 was supposedly completed, with just a few exceptions, in 1935. Even if these ones were as young as 15 when they got baptised, that would make them at least 80 years old today - many much older!

  !!!!!!******* Instead of being tied to 1914, we are now tied to the lifespan of 8661 individuals who were in their teens in 1935. *******!!!!!!!

  Now, check out the Jan 15 2000 Watchtower!!!!

  Have I missed something?
  Nicolaou

  http://communities.msn.co.uk/altJehovahsWitnesses
• 

  MoodyBlue

  I was told when I studied (after the teaching was changed) that there would be some of the annointed still alive, because they would have to direct the work after armageddon. So i asked, while we're getting younger, will they still be getting old and dying, and of course i got some sort of bs answer about Jehovah just taking them...

  It's all garbage if u ask me... but i guess it gives people hope..