Some years ago, the JW leadership was forced to confront some resistance to its instructions. A Study Article was printed in which many threats were made, such as “Those who think themselves of the remnant and who disregard the instructions of the Lord are following a fatal course.”
This same article reached a ‘low point’ however, when it stated, in blasphemous terms:
“Such self-willed ones do not have an understanding. They do not recognise that the Lord is directing his work, that the Lord Jesus at the temple has his own good way of doing things, and that he transmits to his anointed ones the necessary information, and if the instructions sent out are wrong, then the responsibility is to the Lord and not to the local service committee.” (Watchtower, May 15, 1937 page 153, paragraph 21)
Thus the tone for the modern-day “organisation” of Jehovah’s Witnesses was set. It was as if they were saying, “If our predictions, teachings, etc fail, then it’s not our fault, it’s the fault of Jesus himself, for telling us incorrectly”!!
In recent memory, we have been saved from such blasphemous utterings. But has the leadership taken responsibility for its actions? How do they face up to changes in understanding or direction?
Notice the tone in the following selection of quotations from recent publications.
In facing up to the changed viewpoint on the Generation since 1914 not being literal, they said:
“Prior to the latter part of the year 1914, many Christians expected Christ to return at that time and to take them away to heaven. ……..Clearly, Macmillan was mistaken, but that was not the only unfulfilled expectation he or his fellow Bible Students had.
Bible Students, known since 1931 as Jehovah’s Witnesses, also expected that the year 1925 would see the fulfillment of marvelous Bible prophecies. They surmised that at that time the earthly resurrection would begin, bringing back faithful men of old, such as Abraham, David, and Daniel. More recently, many Witnesses conjectured that events associated with the beginning of Christ’s Millennial Reign might start to take place in 1975. Their anticipation was based on the understanding that the seventh millennium of human history would begin then.
These erroneous views did not mean that God’s promises were wrong, that he had made a mistake. By no means! The mistakes or misconceptions, as in the case of first-century Christians, were due to a failure to heed Jesus’ caution, ‘You do not know the time.’ The wrong conclusions were due, not to malice or to unfaithfulness to Christ, but to a fervent desire to realize the fulfillment of God’s promises in their own time. ( Awake! June 22, 1995 pages 8-9)
In regard to the failure of the 1975 expectations:
“There were strong expectations concerning the year 1975 ……. Some set their hearts on that date as the time when the old system would be destroyed and God’s new world would be established. When those expectations were not realized, there were some who ceased serving God. A number became apostates. But the vast majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses were motivated by love for Jehovah. They knew that God’s Word would never fail.” (1995 Yearbook, page 227)
“The Society’s letter of April 4, 1977 to the South Korea Branch stated: “We hope the brothers are careful in their teaching. Evidently some were very strong on the 1975 date, and so a good foundation was not laid. ……. Too much emphasis was placed on a date by some Bible teachers. ……… Even some elders had their hopes pinned to 1975. “ (Yearbook 1988, page 190)
“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.” (Watchtower November 1, 1995)
In regard to the changed direction on substitute service :Military Service:
“In modern times, there have been some Witnesses who were very strict in their view of what they would or would not do. For that reason they suffered more than others. Later, increased knowledge helped them to expand their view of matters. But they have no reason to regret having earlier acted in harmony with their conscience, even when this possibly brought extra suffering.” (Watchtower, August 15,1998 page 17)
So, it’s never their fault, is it? Can you think of others who are known for this?
Adam to God in the Garden of Eden: “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree and so I ate it.”
Sound familiar? Remember how children say, at school: “Please Sir, it’s not my fault. Johnny made me do it”.
What’s the difference with what we have seen from the Watchtower Society in recent years?
Ozzie (of the owning up class)