This is amazing information!
Interestingly, "bibleexaminer" some time ago made some very insightful comments on possible changes ahead for the JW organization on this very same topic. The thread was entitled "Change In WTS Doctrine Underway". I posted some of the information below.
I had decided some time ago to go back and research the United Nations and comments made on this discussion board in the past. Here is what I found. After reading this section quoted, I think you will agree with me, the "changes" suggested in the new book, are consistent with suggestions mentioned in his post over a year ago. I think, its a good chance this startling information about the United Nations could very well have been the real purpose (along with changes on blood, the "anointed", etc.) for the much publicized October 8th, 2001 Meeting by the Governing Body, that strangely fizzled out at the last minute. The post below has to do with a certain talk given by a Circuit Overseer who in his talk shows Matthew 24 and modern-day applications about the United Nations Organization DO NOT fulfill bible prophecy today, nor fit into a modern day setting. These are significant changes of thought not heard before by JWs. (Please analyze.)
After reading this, you may agree with me in saying that maybe, just maybe the Governing Body really had something significant to tell us afterall at the big October 2001 Meeting. Something that might finally, actually "explain" their secret NGO status with the United Nations Organization for the past 10 years. But, as things would happen, someone "spilled the beans" a little early before they could officially present the information. (Some may remember, the former District Overseer "Maximus" all but stated there was to be presented "unforgetable", startling information that was to be given at the big October meeting.) So what you read in the new book may represent those changes. This may be it. But before the meeting could come off, the so-called apostates "stole their thunder" and "leaked" the UN Affair to the press and the Guardian ran the article before the meeting could get under way. The public and JW reaction was so bad, it would have been difficult to present this information with everything in an uproar. Thus the Governing Body, under advisement from Bethel Cronies created the "library card" defense. Only to have the "change" on the United Nations information to be revisited at a later time via printed books and so on. But on a gradual basis, like slow cooking a frog.
I think the information posted below supports my "take" on these mysterious, covert events. This was posted August 11, 2001, a couple months before the big meeting in October of 2001.
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=9882&site=3
Excerpt from thread: "Change In WTS Doctrine Underway" by bibleexaminer.
*****************************snip*********************************
The Discussion
Recently, a Circuit Overseer has been giving a talk that involves certain verses in Matthew chapter 24. What he is preaching, one can be absolutely sure, is sanctioned by the Watchtower proper. Why it's important takes a few more paragraphs to explain because one must first have in mind the Watchtower's position up till this point. And to understand why this particular change is so significant also takes a few paragraphs. Yet this read should be rewarding.
The material I choose so to make the point is the Watchtower article of May 1, 1999 pages 14-20, where we find a few important points which find even more significance when taken in context with the recent sermons given by certain CO's.
The Watchtower is full of allegories. If the reader was ever associated with the Org, then the significance of Matthew 24:45 and the allegories invented by the Watchtower relative to this verse are plain. It is the single most important verse in the whole Bible for JW's. The entire authority structure of the Governing Body rests here. It is the "sacred cow" of the Watchtower. Therefore, any changes in doctrine relative to Matthew chapter 24 will have lasting effects on the Watchtower organization.
At Matthew 24:15-16 we read in the NWT
*** Rbi8 Matthew 24:15-16 ***
15 Therefore, when YOU catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) 16 then let those in Jude'a begin fleeing to the mountains.
The Watchtower allegory that relates to these verses states that "the first fulfillment involved the Roman assault on Jerusalem and its temple" (Note: all quotes are from the w99 5/1 14-20) This article goes on to say that "It is apparent that Jesus was referring to the Roman army that would come"
Therefore, the Roman army was represented by the "disgusting thing that causes desolation" in this supposed "first" fulfillment and it's "standing in a holy place" was a prophecy concerning the time when the Roman army would undermine the wall in 66CE and Roman soldiers, Gentiles, would enter the Temple grounds.
Christians then would recognize this "sign" and when the Roman army retreated, they would take the opportunity to "begin fleeing to the mountains".
This is all well and good, and for a fact is a matter of history now. But the Watchtower does not leave it there. They insist, and have for many years, that this was only the "first" fulfillment, and the article goes on to say
"Since World War I, we have seen the larger fulfillment of Jesus sign recorded in Matthew chapter 24. Yet, recall his words: When you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation . . . standing in a holy place, . . . then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains. (Matthew 24:15, 16) This aspect of the prophecy must have a fulfillment in our time too."
They warn us that "OUR being alerted to an approaching calamity can enable us to avoid it."
Ohhh, we had better tune in!
The article further points out the characters in the Watchtower allegory when it says
"So in 1919 the disgusting thing appeared. In time, the League gave way to the United Nations. Jehovahs Witnesses have long exposed these human peace organizations as disgusting in Gods sight."
So, where in the "first" fulfillment, the "disgusting thing" was the Roman army, in this supposed "greater" or second fulfillment, the "disgusting thing" becomes the United Nations Organization.
But who then, in this "second" fulfillment, is represented by "Judea", the Jewish nation that was conquered with it's "holy place"? The article then relates
"On Thursday, July 10, 1969, at the Peace on Earth International Assembly in New York City, F. W. Franz, then vice president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, gave a significantly adjusted explanation" of the outworkings of these events. "The great tribulation such as will not occur again is yet ahead, for it means the destruction of the world empire of false religion (including Christendom) followed by the war of the great day of God the Almighty at Armageddon"
So then, the Watchtower allegory teaches that soon, very, very soon, the "disgusting thing" in the person of the United Nations Organization will stand in the modern-day "holy place" in the person of all religions of the earth, bar the Watchtower headquarters obviously, at which time it will be necessary for all good Jehovah's Witnesses to "begin fleeing to the mountains".
Interesting, then, isn't it, that
"As first-century followers of Christ must have keenly watched to see how the standing in a holy place would develop, so do present-day [Jehovah's Witnesses]."
Now does it make any sense at all, that Jehovah's Witnesses need to watch for an event where the UN goes to church, so that they know when to flee? FLEE WHAT? They are not in church are they?
16 Since the start of the great tribulation is yet future, is the standing in a holy place still ahead of us? Evidently so. While the disgusting thing made its appearance early in this century and has, thus, existed for decades, it will take a position in a unique way in a holy place in the near future.
Doesn't make much sense, not to us, and obviously not to them either, for they go on to say " We cannot presently have full details about the great tribulation," and "Admittedly, we will have to wait for the actual fulfillment to know all the details."
Well, this is a convenient "out" for the Watchtower, with regard to this self contradictory allegory. Who can explain such nonsense? The article says
"So the disgusting thing that causes desolation, which has existed since 1919, apparently is yet to stand in a holy place. How will this happen? And how can we be affected?" Yes Watchtower tell us, how can we be affected?
The watchtower explains
"Details supplied in the prophecy help us to identify this symbolic beast as a peace organization now the United Nations. Revelation 17:16, 17 shows that God will yet put it into the hearts of certain human rulers who are prominent in this beast to desolate the world empire of false religion. That attack marks the outbreak of the great tribulation."
That's all they have to offer in the way of explanation. I wonder how many letters the Watchtower received asking their "channel" how in the hell the UN's standing in say, the vatican, will be reason for JWs to flee. And flee from what? Supposedly JWs have already "fled" from the supposed modern-day counterpart of Judea/Jewry. As the article says
"We have for many decades been urging people to get out of false religion and to take up true worship."and "continue to maintain a clear distinction between themselves and false religious organizations."
What the hell does it matter to JWs that the UN is going to enter the Churches etc and axe them? If we aren't there, then we're just bystanders. As the aarticle says "After all, obedient Christians will not be punished when destruction comes on false religion and the rest of this wicked system."
Why worry then? Why do JWs need to "be discerning and heed the warning about the disgusting thing standing in a holy place. And they will act decisively on their unshakable faith."? WHY?
And how many asked our dear GB deskboyz, "If the Church is the "Holy Place" where the UN will stand, why have we all prematurely fled?" Did not Jesus say that "when you seeTHEN.." AND, if it's a "holy place" why did the Watchtower make us all flee it before our Lord directed?
So, it's no wonder that the Watchtower is going to change this self-contradictory nonsense by way of sermons given by COs instead of announcing it outright by way of their "channel" journal the Watchtower magazine. After the COs have made their rounds and given "new light" to congregations on a one-at -a-time basis, then the Watchtower can safely discuss Matthew chapter 24 with their new doctrine, and nobody will notice.So they thought!
The CO is giving a talk that in summary says that the allegory of so many years is now GONE. He is teaching that there is no "second" and "greater" fulfillment of Matthew 24:15-16 but that it was fulfilled in complete in the first century, and only upon Jewry.
Well. Like thinking minds didn't know that! The problem is, this doctrine was fundamental to their "sacred cow" dicta of Matthew 24:45 and the further allegorizing of the Watchtower. The Watchtower is slowly dismantling their power base by altering long held doctrine which is fundamentally important to their power base.
Time will tell, but this cannot last.
****************************snip********************************
What do you think?
winsome
Edited by - winsome on 14 July 2002 11:10:32
