Need Help with Info Sheet

by Nickey 17 Replies latest watchtower bible

  • UnDisfellowshipped
    UnDisfellowshipped
    What do the Jehovah's Witnesses teach about Children?

    "That brings us to discipline, and forces a facing of that hotly controversial question: to spank or not to spank."

    "Many child psychologists put a "hands off" sign on children, as did one who said: "Do you mothers realize that every time you spank your child you show that you are hating your child?" Jehovah says: "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him." A spanking may be a lifesaver to a child, for Jehovah says: "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. If you beat him with the rod you will save his life from Sheol." Again, "Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts." "

    "Some [children] are more sensible than others; some are meeker than others. A rebuke may discipline them more than a whipping would others who are more stubborn and in whose childish heart may be bound up a more than usual amount of folly."

    "Parents, if this is the case with your child, be patient."

    "If you children have been the subjects of our discussion, it is because you are the objects of our affection. All right, you say, but if you grownups are so fond of us what is all this talk about discipline, and especially spanking? Well, with you children that does touch a tender spot, does it not? But to help us get to the bottom of the matter let us look at the animals that you children love. Jehovah's wisdom is reflected in his creations, so to look to animals for instruction is not to lower our thinking to their level, but to lift it to God's thoughts..."

    "There is no juvenile delinquency in the animal realm, because there are no delinquent animal mothers. They do not spare the paw and spoil the young, but spank to preserve the young. They would die fighting for their young, just as your parents would die for you; yet they spank their young, just as your parents may spank you. In the woods the first mistake is often the last, and if the young animals disobeyed their mothers they would become the main course on a woodland menu and end up in another animal's stomach. So, while it may not be pleasant for them to be spanked, it is better to be beaten than to be eaten..."

    "You parents know what you must do. You children know what you must do. Jehovah knows what he will do. If we obey him, he will do things for us. If we disobey him, he will do things to us." (The Watchtower January 15th 1954 Issue, Pages 54-62)
    -----------------------------------------

    "How does the Bible answer the problem of juvenile delinquency?"

    "The literal use of the rod in punishing a child may sometimes be necessary; the Bible recognizes this: "Withhold not correction from the child; for if thou beat him with the rod, he will not die." " (The Watchtower March 1st 1955 Issue, Pages 135-136)
    -----------------------------------------

    "Modern parents, in this age of delinquent youngsters, can take a lesson from the mother "teddy bear," the koala. When baby koalas "are really naughty," writes Ivan T. Sanderson in his new book Living Mammals of the World, "the mother turns them over her knee and spanks them on their bottoms for minutes on end with the flat of her hand, during which time their screams are soul-rending." " (The Watchtower February 1st 1956 Issue, Page 95)
    ------------------------------------------

    "Just having our children with us at [Jehovah's Witnesses] meetings, however, is not adequate. Here they will be expected to pay attention and not play, draw pictures or have side attractions. They should be taught that there is a time for things other than play. It may require the rod of correction to impress the necessity for being quiet and paying attention, but, when properly applied, such measures need not be repeated often. Sometimes a young boy of five or six will begin to get restless in the meeting and start fussing, disturbing many. His father, sitting beside him, will try to quiet him. He continues fussing and the father starts to get up to take the boy out. The boy does not want to go-he has been outside with his daddy before and has lost every round. So now junior becomes quiet for the rest of the meeting. Thus we see that when discipline is firmly and kindly applied so as to be remembered, it will be beneficial." (The Watchtower May 15th 1956 Issue, Page 310)
    ------------------------------------------

    "I decided to set aside time for daily Bible reading. This raised a howl of protest from my boys, ages 7, 5 and 3, as it always seemed to come at their most enjoyable time. After the account of creation they lost interest and the howls grew louder as I turned off the television every night and announced it was time for Bible reading. Many times I sat with the Bible in one hand and the rod of correction in the other..." (The Watchtower October 15th 1956 Issue, Page 637)
    ------------------------------------------

    "It is an act of love, not hatred or ill will toward the child, for the parents to administer corrective discipline. "The one holding back his rod is hating his son, but the one loving him is he that does look for him with discipline." "

    "...disobedience, stubbornness and fits of anger are the ways of sin and death, and they are bound up in your heart from your very birth. It you want to live under God's kingdom rule, these devilish hereditary tendencies must be forcefully rooted out and supplanted with godly qualities, and the parental rod of correction will help to do this. "Foolishness is tied up with the heart of a boy; the rod of discipline is what will remove it far from him." "

    "There may be rare instances where a child is so hardened in its stubbornness that even the rod of correction cannot drive it out. In the days of Israel parents were instructed by Jehovah to take such a rebel to the city fathers and they, in turn, took the incorrigible one out and stoned him to death. There were no juvenile delinquents under such a system... So also today, ...Jehovah's witnesses can not and will not tolerate juvenile delinquency to exist in its midst." (The Watchtower February 1st 1960 Issue, Page 80)
    -------------------------------------------

    "...when wrongdoing occurs and discipline must be administered... Some [children] need firmer discipline down low enough and hard enough." (The Watchtower August 1st 1962 Issue, Page 460)
    ------------------------------------------

    "At times, then, a parent will need to speak to the child by the administration of pain. This pain, God's Word assures us, is not going to kill the child; but it will have beneficial effects, protective benefits for the child, protecting "his very soul from Sheol." " (The Watchtower August 15th 1963 Issue, Page 497)
    ------------------------------------------

    "In that day of accounting, young children will be dealt with justly according to Jehovah's assessment of their roots, their parents, who have oversight of these children. Wicked parents will have no posterity to perpetuate their wicked ways." (The Watchtower April 15th 1995 Issue)
    --------------------------------------------

    "[Jehovah's Witness parents] know that if they violate God's law on blood and the child dies in the process, they have endangered that child's opportunity for everlasting life in God's new world." (Blood, Medecine, and the Law of God, Page 54)
    --------------------------------------------

    "There is no reasonable or scriptural injunction to bring children into the world before Armageddon, where we are now." (The Watchtower November 1st 1938 Issue, Page 324)
    --------------------------------------------

    "A great crowd of [Jehovah's Witness] people are confidant that great destruction is imminent, which has been a major factor in their decision not to have children." (Awake! November 8th 1974 Issue, Page 11)
    --------------------------------------------

    "Many Christian fathers do their utmost to share the load of looking after the children. They take their full share in seeing that their children remain quiet during [Jehovah's Witnesses] congregation meetings. If their baby starts to cry, or their child becomes boisterous, they in their turn will take it outside for appropriate discipline."

    "Fathers can share the responsibility of keeping children quiet during [Jehovah's Witnesses] meetings" (The Watchtower March 1st 1988 Issue, Pages 18-22)
    --------------------------------------------

    "Any recreation [Jehovah's Witness children] take outside of school should not be with worldly [non-Jehovah's Witness] youths." (The Watchtower September 1st 1964 Issue, Page 535)
    --------------------------------------------

    "The ideal situation is for parents to have such a fine program outlined for their children that little or no time remains for outside associations. Being with the family or other [Jehovah's Witness] Christians becomes so interesting and absorbing that other associations do not become a temptation. But if they do, then parents should take time to make clear to the child the Bible's viewpoint on the matter; at the same time they should firmly exercise needed control." (The Watchtower February 1st 1974 Issue, Page 93)
    --------------------------------------------

    "To keep separate from the world while in school, young Witnesses should consider the dangers of becoming involved in extracurricular activities. Though classmates and teachers may not always understand your decision of nonparticipation, pleasing God is what counts. This requires exercising a Bible Trained conscience and standing firm in the resolve not to become involved in worldly competition or nationalistic practices that violate Bible principles." (Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry Book, 1983 Edition, Page 133)
    ---------------------------------------------

  • hooberus
    hooberus

    My somewhat "inactive" mother says she's getting the feeling that I'm losing my faith in the WTS and has asked me to explain to her. Problem is, I locked up because it's been so recent and my mother can be quite intimidating. She's a "see it to believe it" person and has suggested that I show her proof. I try to explain and speak, but I get pinned up and nervous because I'm newly learning myself.

    I sat and thought about it a while and decided to just give her a "info sheet" maybe 2-3 pages long, that we can study together and ask questions. I'm convinced, but she's still thinking that WTS is "the truth" and that something must be wrong wit her for having feelings of doubt. So, she wanted me to show and teach her what I've learned and to give her an explanation for my disbelief in the organization. For now, she seems to have an open mind. And I feel that now is the time to act on that... an act out of love for my mother. Because I don't want to see her hurt and depressed anymore over what she's feeling about the society. She's at the KH right now out of fear. I've decided not to go, but I kno when she get's back, she's going to ask me why I did what I did.

    I know where to look and research. But I was wondering if I could get some tips and info on how to present it and where to start. Maybe learns something new that I haven't found out yet. I wrote up a draft, but I want it to be an honest fact sheet and easy to understand. I've done a numbered list of things for her to read and look up for herself. But it's so.... well, I just need some help. lol

    A basic info sheet with all WT refereces that she can look up for herself. It's important that the scriptures and comments quoted are from the WT publications and NWT bible.

    Nickey this might help. It is a good place to start separating witness faith in the Org fromtheir faith in God.

    The January 15, 1970 Watchtower p. 37-40 contains arcticle titled:

    "Which Comes First- Your Church or God?"

    "The "first man" represents the believers who remain faithful to their church out of loyalty to the religion they were brought to believe in. Thier attitude is: Right or wrong, it is my religion! Is that the way you feel? If so, you are certainly a loyal person. But to whom do you owe the greater loyalty-to your church, or to God? With so much disbelief rife throughout the earth, you are to be commended for maintaining your faith, but where should your faith be placed-in a religious organization, or in God?" p.37

    "The "second man" mentioned in the Nouvel Observateur represents those Catholics and Protestants who stay with their church because they do not know where else to go. They have been taught that their church represents God, and they do not want to turn away from him. They disapprove of many church practices or doctrines, but they hope to reform their church from within. Typical of these are the 744 French Catholics who, in November 1968, sent a long open letter to the pope. In it they stated: "Today the Christian needs to live in a 'true' Church . . . Therefore all that is false, contrary to the Gospel and scandalous within the Church today wounds the Christian." Then followed a long list of grievances against the Catholic Church and it current teachings and practices. Yet, toward the end, these catholics expressed their unconditional adherence to their church by alluding to John 6:68 and stating: "Who could we go to? In her [the Roman Catholic Church] we find the One who has words of eternal life." p.39

    I beileve that this Watchtower arcticle can with a few simple questions be used effectively to separate the witnesses "Loyalty to God" from "Loyalty to the Organization". The Issue of faith in a religious organization being separte from faith in God is addressed nicely. Also issues of "where else to go" and the misappication of John 6:68 from Christ to a "church" or "organization" can be very effectively brought up using this arcticle.

    In an earlier post the follwing was given by a former witness as some of the reasons for staying in the Watchtower Organization.

    "Obstacles/hinderances: Loyalty. Thinking that there was no where else to go. Fear of the unknown. Believing God and the Watchtower were inseperable. Believing we would lose Gods protective barrier and bring death on our family (Like Job) if we left."

    I believe that the above article can be used effectively and non-offensively to deal with these common issues.

    Edited by - hooberus on 30 December 2002 12:19:28

  • artful
    artful

    UnDisfellowshipped: You have compiled quite a list there. I like your approach - using the WT quotes followed by applicable scriptural references. Great info...keep it coming!!
    Cheers
    Artful

  • Nickey
    Nickey

    UnDisfellowshipped, Hooberus:

    Thanks a bunch for the help. I'm taking alot of notes. I'm slowly compiling my sheet. Strong enough to withstand her criticism and not get blown over by her programmed responses. And I think it just may stand up along with Ray's book CoC.

  • twinkletoes
    twinkletoes

    Undisfellowshipped,

    What a lot of hard work, marvellous, I'm sure that it will be extremely helpful to lots of us

    Thankyou

    Nickey,

    I hope all goes well for you and your mum too.

    Twink

  • UnDisfellowshipped
    UnDisfellowshipped

    Thanks to all of you for your kind words

    I hope the information helps all of you.

    Continued from Above:

    What does the Bible say about how Children should be Treated?

    Matthew 18:5: Whoever receives one such little child in My Name receives Me,
    Matthew 18:6: but whoever causes one of these little children who believe in Me to stumble or sin, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.

    Matthew 18:10: Make sure that you don't despise one of these little children, for I tell you that in Heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in Heaven.
    Matthew 18:11: For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost.

    Matthew 18:14: ...it is not the will of your Father who is in Heaven that one of these little children should perish.

    Colossians 3:21: Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.

    Jehovah's Witnesses FORBID Blood Transfusions

    "...a [Jehovah's Witness] Christian who deliberately receives a blood transfusion and thus does not keep himself from blood will not prosper spiritually. According to the law of Moses, which set forth shadows of things to come, the receiver of a blood transfusion must be cut off from God's people by excommunication or disfellowshiping....if in the future he persists in accepting blood transfusions or in donating blood toward the carrying out of this medical practice upon others, he shows that he has really not repented, but is deliberately opposed to God's requirements. As a rebellious opposer and unfaithful example to fellow members of the Christian congregation he must be cut off therefrom by disfellowshiping." (The Watchtower January 15th 1961 Issue, Pages 63, 64)
    --------------------------------------------

    "Little do men in general appreciate today that they are under the Creator's law concerning blood and that they will be punished for violating its sacredness. It is no light punishment, but it will call for their very life." (The Watchtower November 1st 1959 Issue, Page 645)
    --------------------------------------------

    "the removal of one's blood, storing it and later putting it back into the same person would be a violation of the Scriptural principles that govern the handling of blood....if the blood were stored, even for a brief period of time, this would be a violation of the Scriptures...Again, if one's own blood would have to be withdrawn at intervals and stored until a sufficient amount had accumulated to set a machine in operation, this too would fall under Scriptural prohibition." (The Watchtower October 15th 1959 Issue, Page 640)
    --------------------------------------------

    "Jehovah's witnesses will not eat blood as a food, nor in medical use consent to any kind of blood transfusion or, in place of it, an infusion of any blood fraction or blood substance" (Blood, Medicine and the Law of God, 1961, Pages 38-40)
    --------------------------------------------

    "Jehovah's witnesses...know that if they violate God's law on blood and the child dies in the process, they have endangered that child's opportunity for everlasting life in God's new world." (Blood, Medicine and the Law of God, 1961, Page 54)
    --------------------------------------------

    "...resorting to blood transfusions even under the most extreme circumstances is not truly lifesaving. It may result in the immediate and very temporary prolongation of life, but that at the cost of eternal life for a dedicated Christian." (Blood, Medicine and the Law of God, 1961, Page 55)
    --------------------------------------------

    "Are idolatry and fornication damaging to the Christian personality? Disastrously so! So too is the taking in of blood, whether through blood foods or blood transfusions...Transfusing blood... may amount to transfusing tainted personality traits." (The Watchtower May 15th 1962 Issue, Page 302)
    --------------------------------------------

    "[Jehovah's Witness fathers] endeavor to keep their children from violating God's law to Noah and also the Jerusalem Council's decree. (Eph. 6:4) Rightly they try to protect their children from taking foreign blood into them." (The Watchtower December 1st 1967 Issue, Page 724)
    --------------------------------------------

    "Could God's law on blood be set aside in times of emergency? ...No. ...no special dispensation for times of stress." (Jehovah's Witnesses and the Question of Blood, 1977, Page 9)
    --------------------------------------------

    "So too abstaining from blood means not taking it into your body at all." (You Can Live Forever On A Paradise Earth Book, 1982, Page 216)
    --------------------------------------------

    "....[Jehovah's Witnesses'] position on blood is nonnegotiable." (The Watchtower April 15th 1985 Issue, Page 13)
    --------------------------------------------

    "The faith of Jehovah's Witnesses is under attack from... medical authorities who want to impose blood transfusions on us and our children..."

    "...this opposition is orchestrated by Satan, the ruler of darkness and ignorance, the enemy of accurate knowledge." (The Watchtower December 1st 1989 Issue, Page 12)
    ---------------------------------------------

    "...to force blood on a [Jehovah's Witness] Christian would be the equivalent of forcible sex - rape." (How Can Blood Save Your Life?, 1990, Page 20)
    ---------------------------------------------

    "How strenuously should a [Jehovah's Witness] Christian resist a blood transfusion that has been ordered or authorized by a court? God's law must be obeyed!...if a court - authorized transfusion seemed likely, a Christian might choose to avoid being accessible for such a violation of God's law....If a Christian did put forth very strenuous efforts to avoid a violation of God's law on blood, authorities might consider him a lawbreaker or make him liable to prosecution. If punishment did result, the Christian could view it as suffering for the sake of righteousness." (The Watchtower June 15th 1991 Issue, Page 31)
    ---------------------------------------------

    What does the Bible say about this?

    1st Samuel 14:32: and the people flew on the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and killed them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.
    1st Samuel 14:33: Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against Jehovah, in that they eat with the blood. He said, you have dealt treacherously: roll a great stone to me this day.
    1st Samuel 14:34: Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and tell them, Bring me here every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and kill them here, and eat; and don't sin against Jehovah in eating with the blood. All the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and killed them there.
    1st Samuel 14:35: Saul built an altar to Jehovah: the same was the first altar that he built to Jehovah.

    (MY COMMENT: NOTICE -- Jehovah DID NOT punish or destroy those people who ate meat with blood in it!)

    Matthew 15:8: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips; But their heart is far from Me.
    Matthew 15:9: And in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrine rules made by men.'"
    Matthew 15:10: He summoned the multitude, and said to them, "Hear, and understand.
    Matthew 15:11: That which enters into the mouth doesn't defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man."

    Matthew 15:17: Don't you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then out of the body?
    Matthew 15:18: But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man.
    Matthew 15:19: For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.

    Matthew 9:13: But you go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

    Matthew 12:2: But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, "Behold, Your Disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath."
    Matthew 12:3: But He said to them, "Haven't you read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him;
    Matthew 12:4: how he entered into the House of God, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the Priests?
    Matthew 12:5: Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath Day, the Priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?
    Matthew 12:6: But I tell you that One greater than the Temple is here.
    Matthew 12:7: But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
    Matthew 12:8: For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

    My Comments Are Below:

    I don't know 100% what the Society's Current Blood Policy is (I don't know if even the Governing Body and Elders do anymore, or if they ever did).

    However, here is what I have heard is now ALLOWED by the Society:

    Vaccinations (Shots) even if they contain Blood! (In fact, several Vaccinations contain WHOLE BLOOD!)

    Organ Transplants even though the Organs contain Blood! (Probably a large amount of Blood too!)

    Bone-Marrow Transplants

    Hemophiliac Blood Treatments

    All sorts of Blood Fractions

    Here is a Pharisee-Like List of the "Acceptable Blood Fractions" which Witnesses are now allowed to accept (at least this is what I have heard, not 100% sure):

    *Factor VIII
    *Gamma Globulin
    *Blood Plasma Proteins
    *Albumin
    *Immune Globulins
    *Rh Immune Globulin
    *Hemophiliac Preparations
    *Clotting Factors
    *Synthetic Hormone EPO (Erythropoietin) (contains only "a small amount of Albumin")
    *Autologous Blood (Autotransfusion) (Where your own Blood "flows out through a tube to the Artificial Organ that pumps and filters (or oxygenates) it, and then it returns to the patient's circulatory system")
    *Hemodilution
    *HemoPure (Cow's Blood)
    *PolyHeme

    Jehovah's Witnesses are now allowed to accept ALL of the components of Blood, as long as you separate the components and then accept them!

    This is very interesting, especially when reading this Scripture:

    Luke 16:10: He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

    Is there any logic in this?

    The Watchtower Society puts more importance on the SYMBOL of LIFE (the BLOOD), than on the actual LIFE ITSELF!

  • UnDisfellowshipped
    UnDisfellowshipped
    The Watchtower Society stated several times that it was Jehovah's and Jesus Christ's PROMISE that Armageddon would come BEFORE the "Generation of 1914" Passed Away

    The Watchtower November 1st 1950 Issue, Page 419:

    "The thirty-six intervening years since 1914, instead of postponing Armageddon, have only made it nearer than most people think. Do not forget: 'This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.' (Matt. 24:34)"
    ----------------------------------------

    The Watchtower September 1st 1952 Issue, Page 543:

    "Some persons living A.D. 1914 when the series of foretold events began will also be living when the series ends with Armageddon."
    ----------------------------------------

    The Watchtower April 15th 1961 Issue, Page 236:

    "The foretold events having begun A.D. 1914, the generation of mankind that is still alive from that year is the generation meant by Jesus Christ. Till now we have seen fulfilled the world-shaking features of the 'sign of [Christ's invisible] presence and of the consummation of the system of things.'...The occurrence of these things since 1914 is within the knowledge of millions of this generation.... We, then, are the generation that will not pass away till there is fulfilled that 'great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again'"

    (MY COMMENT: The Bracketed Comments [] were in the Original)
    ----------------------------------------

    The Watchtower May 1st 1967 Issue, Page 262:

    "Where Are We According to God's Timetable? In examining these Scriptural facts, something else also captures our attention. According to Bible chronology, we are already over fifty-two years into the wicked system of things' 'time of the end.' That time began in the autumn of 1914 C.E., at the termination of the 'appointed times of the nations,' and it is already far advanced. Jesus said that 'this generation' that saw the beginning of this time period in 1914 would also see its end. The generation that was old enough to view those events with understanding in 1914 is no longer young. It no longer has many years to run. Already many of its members have died. But Jesus showed that there would still be members of 'this generation' alive at the time of the passing away of this wicked system of things in both heaven and earth. (Luke 21:32, 33) How much longer will it be, then, before God takes action to destroy the wicked and usher in the blessings of his Kingdom rule?
    ----------------------------------------

    The Watchtower May 1st 1968 Issue, Pages 271-272:

    "To calculate where man is in the stream of time relative to God's seventh day of 7,000 years, we need to determine how long a time has elapsed from the year of Adam and Eve's creation in 4026 B.C.E. From the autumn of that year to the autumn of 1 B.C.E., there would be 4,025 years. From the autumn of 1 B.C.E. to the autumn of 1 C.E. is one year (there was no zero year). From the autumn of 1 C.E. to the autumn of 1967 is a total of 1,966 years. Adding 4,025 and 1 and 1,966, we get 5,992 years from the autumn of 4026 B.C.E. to the autumn of 1967. Thus, eight years remain to account for a full 6,000 years of the seventh day. Eight years from the autumn of 1967 would bring us to the autumn of 1975, fully 6,000 years into God's seventh day, his rest day.

    "...The seventh day of the Jewish week, the sabbath, would well picture the final 1,000- year reign of God's kingdom under Christ. Hence, when Christians note from God's timetable the approaching end of 6,000 years of human history, it fills them with anticipation. Particularly is this true because the great sign of the 'last days' has been in the course of fulfillment since the beginning of the 'time of the end' in 1914. Some of the generation that discerned the beginning of the time of the end in 1914 will still be alive on earth to witness the end of this present wicked system of things at the battle of Armageddon. Rev. 16:14, 16"
    ----------------------------------------

    Awake! October 8th 1968 Issue, Pages 13-14:

    "What will the 1970's Bring? The fact that fifty-four years of the period called the 'last days' have already gone by is highly significant. It means that only a few years, at most, remain before the corrupt system of things dominating the earth is destroyed by God. How can we be so certain of this? Jesus was obviously speaking about those who were old enough to witness with understanding what took place when the 'last days' began. Jesus was saying that some of those persons who were alive at the appearance of the 'sign of the last days' would still be alive when God brought this system to its end. Even if we presume that the youngsters 15 years of age would be perceptive enough to realize the import of what happened in 1914, it would still make the youngest of 'this generation' nearly 70 years old today"
    ----------------------------------------

    The Truth That Leads To Eternal Life Book (1968 Edition), Page 95:

    "But there are people still living who were alive in 1914 and saw what was happening then and who were old enough that they still remember those events. This generation is getting up in years now. A great number of them have already passed away in death. Yet Jesus very pointedly said: 'This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' Some of them will still be alive to see the end of this wicked system. This means that only a short time is left before the end comes!"
    ----------------------------------------

    The Watchtower February 15th 1969 Issue, Page 101:

    "However, there are people still living who were alive in 1914 and saw what was happening then and who were old enough that they still remember those events. This generation is getting up in years now. A great number of them have already passed away in death. Yet Jesus very pointedly said: 'This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' Some of them will still be alive to see the end of this wicked system. This means that only a short time is left before the end comes!"
    ----------------------------------------

    The Watchtower February 1st 1971 Issue, Page 69:

    "Men of this world offer you nothing stable, nothing sure. Their promises and predictions of better things have failed time and again. Why let yourself be carried along with them in a steadily downward course to ultimate disaster due to rejecting God's will? God's prophetic Word has not failed. Time has confirmed its truthfulness, its unerring accuracy. The generation that saw the start of the time of distress that began in 1914 is now dwindling in numbers. Before it passes off the scene the prophesied 'great tribulation' will come. You can be among the joyful survivors, experience deliverance from a world system that has proved oppressive, unworkable and death dealing."
    ----------------------------------------

    Awake! October 8th 1973 Issue:

    ...the generation alive in 1914, some will see the major fulfilment of Christ Jesus prophecy...
    ----------------------------------------

    The Watchtower October 1st 1978 Issue, Page 31:

    "Jesus said 'this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' Which generation is this, and how long is it?... When it comes to the application in our time, the 'generation' logically would not apply to babies born during World War I. It applies to Christ's followers and others who were able to observe that war and the other things that have occurred in fulfillment of Jesus' composite 'sign.' Some of such persons 'will by no means pass away until' all of what Christ prophesied occurs, including the end of the present wicked system"
    ----------------------------------------

    The Watchtower May 1st 1982 Issue, Page 15:

    "And the remaining ones of that generation of 1914 are still talking about it. Some of them will be talking about it right down to the time when the 'great tribulation' wipes Satan's wicked system of things off the face of our globe. For Jesus Christ himself assures us: 'Truly I say to you that this generation [the generation that saw the 'beginning of pangs of distress' in 1914] will by no means pass away [completely] until all these things occur. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.'--Matthew 24:3, 8, 34, 35." (MY COMMENT: The Bracketed Comments were in the Original)
    ----------------------------------------

    You Can Live Forever In Paradise On Earth Book (1982 Edition), Page 154:

    "Also, the Bible said that all these things would happen upon the generation that was alive in 1914....
    "After drawing attention to the many things that have marked the period from 1914 onward, Jesus said: 'This generation will by no means pass away until all these things [including the end of this system] occur.' (Matthew 24:34,14) Which generation did Jesus mean? He meant the generation of people who were living in 1914. Those persons yet remaining of that generation are now very old. However, some of them will still be alive to see the end of this wicked system. So of this we can be certain: Shortly now there will be a sudden end to all wickedness and wicked people at Armageddon. Some of the generation living in 1914 will see the end of the system of things and survive it."
    ----------------------------------------

    The Watchtower May 15th 1984 Issue, Title Page:

    ILLUSTRATION: "1914 The Generation That Will Not Pass Away"

    Page 5:

    "If Jesus used 'generation' in that sense and we apply it to 1914, then the babies of that generation are now 70 years old or older. And others alive in 1914 are in their 80's or 90's, a few even having reached a hundred. There are still many millions of that generation alive. Some of them 'will by no means pass away until all things occur.' --Luke 21:32"

    Pages 6-7:

    "From a purely human viewpoint, it could appear that these developments could hardly take place before the generation of 1914 disappears from the scene. But fulfillment of all the foretold events affecting the generation of 1914 does not depend on comparatively slow human action. Jehovah's prophetic word through Christ Jesus is: 'This generation [of 1914] will by no means pass away until all things occur.' (Luke 21:32) And Jehovah, who is the source of inspired and unfailing prophecy, will bring about the fulfillment of his Son's words in a relatively short time.--Isaiah 46:9, 10; 55:10, 11."
    ----------------------------------------

    Awake! April 8th 1988 Issue, Page 14:

    "The Last Days - What's Next?"

    "How Long Can A Generation Last?"

    "J. A. Bengel states in his New Testament Word Studies: 'The Hebrews... reckon seventy-five years as one generation, and the words, shall not pass away, intimate that the greater part of that generation [of Jesus' day] indeed, but not the whole of it, should have passed away before all should be fulfilled.' This became true by the year 70 C.E. when Jerusalem was destroyed. Likewise today, most of the generation of 1914 has passed away. However, there are still millions on earth who were born in that year or prior to it. And although their numbers are dwindling, Jesus' words will come true, 'this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened'"

    (MY COMMENT: 1914 + 75 YEARS = 1989!)
    ----------------------------------------

    Insight on the Scriptures Book, Volume 1 (1988), Pages 917-918:

    "When the term 'generation' is used with reference to the people living at a particular time, the exact length of that time cannot be stated, except that the time would fall within reasonable limits. These limits would be determined by the life span of the people of that time or of that population. Today, much as it was in the time of Moses, people living under favorable conditions may reach 70 or 80 years of age. Moses wrote: 'In themselves the days of our years are seventy years; and if because of special mightiness they are eighty years, yet their insistence is on trouble and hurtful things; for it must quickly pass by, and away we fly.' (Ps 90:10) Some few may live longer, but Moses stated the general rule."

    (MY COMMENT: 1914 + 80 YEARS = 1994!)
    ----------------------------------------

    The Watchtower May 1st 1992 Issue, Page 3:

    "Today, a small percentage of mankind can still recall the dramatic events of 1914. Will that elderly generation pass away before God saves the earth from ruin? Not according to Bible prophecy. 'When you see all these things,' Jesus promised, 'know that he is near at the doors. Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.'--Matthew 24:33, 34"
    ----------------------------------------

    Awake! October 22nd 1995 Issue, Page 4

    (MY COMMENT: The following Quote also appeared in almost each Awake! Issue before this one!):

    "Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away."
    ----------------------------------------

    The Watchtower November 1st 1995 Issue, Pages 16-21

    (MY COMMENT: THIS IS THE BIG ARTICLE THAT CHANGED THE 1914 GENERATION!):

    A TIME TO KEEP AWAKE

    "In all the nations the good news has to be preached first.... But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved." -- MARK 13:10, 13.

    ENDURE we must - amid a faithless and twisted generation! Since 1914 a generation of people has become corrupt, just as in Jesus' day. And today the corruption is on a worldwide scale. In these "last days," the "critical times hard to deal with" described by the apostle Paul are afflicting mankind. `Wicked men and impostors continue to advance from bad to worse.' Clearly, "the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one," Satan the Devil, who is now making his final effort to ruin the earth. But take courage! There is an oncoming "great tribulation" that will bring permanent relief to all who love righteousness.-2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 7:14.

    2 Happily, Jehovah has now enthroned the Lord Jesus Christ in the heavens, preparatory to removing mankind's oppressive enemies. (Revelation 11:15) As at Messiah's first advent, so in this century a remarkable prophecy penned by Daniel has been fulfilled. At Daniel 4:16, 17, 32, we are told of the suspending of rightful kingship over the earth for a period of "seven times." In their major fulfillment, these seven times amount to seven Biblical years of 360 'days' each, or 2,520 years in all.* (FOOTNOTE SAYS: For detailed information on the "seven times," see pages 127-39, 186-9 of the book "Let Your Kingdom Come," published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.) They ran from 607 B.C.E., when Babylon began trampling underfoot the kingdom of Israel, to 1914 C.E., the year of Jesus' enthronement in heaven as mankind's rightful King. Then "the appointed times of the nations" ended. (Luke 21:24) But the nations have declined to yield to the incoming Messianic Kingdom.-Psalm 2:1-6, 10-12; 110:1, 2.

    3 As the 70th week of years (29-36 C.E.) approached, and again as the year 1914 drew near, God-fearing people were expecting Messiah's arrival. And arrive he did! In each case, though, the manner of his appearing differed from the expectation. In each case too, after a comparatively brief time period, an evil "generation" finally suffers execution by divine decree. -Matthew 24:34.

    4 In our preceding article, we noted how the wicked Jewish generation that called for the blood of Jesus met its end. What, then, of the ruinous generation of mankind that even now opposes or ignores him? When will judgment on this faithless generation be executed?

    "Keep on the Watch"!

    5 After prophesying events leading up to a time of "great tribulation," Jesus added: "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:3-36; Mark 13:3-32) We do not need to know the exact timing of events. Rather, our focus must be on being watchful, cultivating strong faith, and keeping busy in Jehovah's service -- not on speculating a date. Jesus concluded his great prophecy by saying: "Keep looking, keep awake, for you do not know when the appointed time is.... Keep on the watch ... What I say to you I say to all, Keep on the watch." (Mark 13:33-37) Danger lurks in the shadows of today's world. We must keep awake! -Romans 13:11-13.

    6 Not only must we pay attention to the inspired prophecies concerning these final days of a wicked system but we must anchor our faith primarily on the precious sacrifice of Christ Jesus and God's marvelous promises based thereon. (Hebrews 6:17-19; 9:14; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 2 Peter 1:16-19) 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 makeup 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.* (FOOTNOTE SAYS: See also pages 152-6 and 180-1 of "Our Incoming World Government-God's Kingdom," published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.)

    [Picture Text]: Suffering humanity will find relief when this violent, wicked generation passes away

    [Picture Text]: Glorious "new heavens and a new earth lie just ahead for all races of mankind

    7 In line with the above, professor of history Robert Wohl wrote in his book Th Generation of 1914: "A historical generation is not defined by its chronologic limits... It is not a zone of dates." But he pointed out that World War I created an overwhelming sense of rupture with the past," and he added: "Those who lived through the war could never rid themselves of the belief that one world had ended and another begun in August 1914." How true that is! It focuses on the crux of the matter. "This generation" of mankind since 1914 has experienced appalling changes. It has seen the earth drenched with the blood of millions. Warfare, genocide, terrorism, crime, and lawlessness have erupted worldwide. Famine, disease, and immorality have stalked our globe. Jesus prophesied: "You also, when you [his disciples] see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur."-Luke 21:31, 32.

    8 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"? Far from it! Habakkuk 2:3 clearly states: "The vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late." Jehovah's day of accounting hastens ever closer.-Jeremiah 25:31-33; Malachi 4:1.

    9 When Christ's Kingdom rule began in 1914, Satan was hurled down to earth. This has meant "woe for the earth ... because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time." (Revelation 12:12) That time is short, indeed, compared with the thousands of years of Satan's rulership. The Kingdom is at hand, and so is Jehovah's day and hour for executing judgment on this wicked generation!-Proverbs 3:25; 10:24, 25.

    The "Generation" That Passes Away

    10 Let us examine more closely Jesus' statement at Matthew 24:34, 35: "Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away." Jesus' words that follow show that 'nobody knows that day and hour.' Far more important, he shows that we must avoid the snares surrounding us in this generation. Thus Jesus adds: "For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be." (Matthew 24:36-39) Jesus here compared the generation of his day to that of Noah's day.-Genesis 6:5, 9; footnote.

    11 This was not the first time that the apostles heard Jesus make this comparison of 'generations,' for some days earlier he had stated concerning himself: "The Son of man ... must undergo many sufferings and be rejected by this generation. Moreover, just as it occurred in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of man." (Luke 17:24-26) Thus, Matthew chapter 24 and Luke chapter 17 make the same comparison. In Noah's day "all flesh [that] had ruined its way on the earth" and that was destroyed at the Flood was "this generation." In Jesus' day the apostate Jewish people that were rejecting Jesus was "this generation."-Genesis 6: 11, 12; 7:1.

    12 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. In contrast, we as Jesus' disciples refuse to be molded by the life-style of "this generation." Though in the world, we must be no part of it, "for the appointed time is near." (Revelation 1:3; John 17:16) The apostle Paul admonishes us: "Keep doing all things free from murmurings and arguments, that you may come to be blameless and innocent, children of God without a blemish in among a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you are shining as illuminators in the world." -Philippians 2:14, 15; Colossians 3:5-10; 1 John 2:15-17.

    13 Our "shining as illuminators" includes not only displaying a clean Christian personality but, above all, fulfilling Jesus' prophetic commission: "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24: 14) No human can say when that end will be, but we know that the end of "this generation" of wicked people will come once the witness has been given to God's satisfaction "to the most distant part of the earth."-Acts 1:8.

    "That Day and Hour"

    14 When the global witness has been accomplished to the extent Jehovah purposes, it will be his "day and hour" to dispose of this world's system. We do not need to know the date in advance. Thus, following Jesus' example, the apostle Paul admonished: "Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, you need nothing to be written to you. For you yourselves know quite well that Jehovah's day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying: 'Peace and security!' then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape." Note Paul's focus: 'It is when they are saying.' Yes, when there is talk of "peace and security," when it is least expected, God's judgment will suddenly be executed. How appropriate is Paul's advice: "So, then, let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses"!-l Thessalonians 5: 1-3, 6; see also verses 7-11; Acts 1:7.

    15 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.-Revelation 1:1; 11:18; 16:14, 16.

    16 As the time approaches, keep awake, for Jehovah is about to bring calamity on all of Satan's system! (Jeremiah 25:29-31) Jehovah says: "I shall certainly magnify myself and sanctify myself and make myself known before the eyes of many nations; and they will have to know that I am Jehovah." (Ezekiel 38:23) That decisive "day of Jehovah" draws near!-Joel 1:15; 2:1, 2; Amos 5:18-20; Zephaniah 2:2, 3.

    Righteous "New Heavens and a New Earth"

    17 Concerning 'all these things that must occur' Jesus said: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away." (Matthew 24:34, 35) Jesus likely had in mind the "heaven and earth" - the rulers and the ruled - of "this generation." The apostle Peter used similar words in referring to "the heavens and the earth that are now," which are "stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men." He next describes how "Jehovah's day will come as a thief, in which the [governmental] heavens will pass away" together with a corrupt human society, or 4 (earth," and its sinful works. The apostle then exhorts us to "holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, [as we are] awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved and the elements being intensely hot will melt!" What follows? Peter turns our attention to 'new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness is to dwell.'-2 Peter 3:7, 10-13.* (FOOTNOTE SAYS: See Volume 1, page 918, of "Insight on the Scriptures," published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.)

    18 "Those "new heavens," the Kingdom rule by Christ Jesus and his associate kings, will shower blessings on the righteous "new earth" society of mankind. Are you a prospective member of that society? If so, you have reason to exult over the grand future in store!-Isaiah 65:17-19; Revelation 21:1-5.

    19 "Yes, a righteous "generation" of mankind is even now being gathered. Today the anointed "faithful and discreet slave" is providing divine education in line with the words of Psalm 78:1, 4: "Do give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ear to the sayings of my mouth ... , relating them even to the generation to come, the praises of Jehovah and his strength and his wonderful things that he has done." (Matthew 24:45-47) On April 14 of this year, in more than 75,500 congregations and in some 230 lands, over 12,000,000 persons around the earth attended the Memorial of Christ's death. Were you among them? May you rest your faith on Christ Jesus and 'call on the name of Jehovah for salvation.'-Romans 10:10-13.

    20 "The time left is reduced," said the apostle Paul. It is time, therefore, to keep ever awake and busy in Jehovah's work, as we endure trials and hatreds imposed by a wicked generation of mankind. (1 Corinthians 7:29; Matthew 10:22; 24:13, 14) Let us keep on the watch, observing all the things foretold in the Bible to come upon "this generation." (Luke 21:31-33) By escaping these things and by standing with divine approval before the Son of man, we may at last attain to the prize of everlasting life.
    ----------------------------------------

    Awake! November 8th 1995 Issue, Page 4

    (MY COMMENT: The following Quote has also appeared in each Awake! Issue since then!):

    "Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things."
    ----------------------------------------

    Awake! March 22nd 1993 Issue, Page 4:

    "Jehovah's Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus' second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions 'in the name of Jehovah.' Never did they say, 'These are the words of Jehovah.'"
    ----------------------------------------

    Awake! October 8th 1968 Issue, Page 23:

    "True, there have been those in times past who predicted an 'end to the world,' even announcing a specific date... Yet, nothing happened. The 'end' did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing? Missing was the full measure of evidence required in fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Missing from such people were God's truths and the evidence that he was guiding and using them"
    ----------------------------------------

    What does the Bible say about this?

    Deuteronomy 18:20: But the prophet, who shall presume to speak a Word in My Name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
    Deuteronomy 18:21: And if you say in your heart, How shall we know the Word which Jehovah has not spoken?
    Deuteronomy 18:22: When a prophet speaks in the Name of Jehovah, if the thing does not follow, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Jehovah has not spoken, but the prophet has spoken it presumptuously: you shall not be afraid of him.

    Matthew 24:34: Most assuredly I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all these things are accomplished.
    Matthew 24:35: Heaven and Earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.
    Matthew 24:36: But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of Heaven, but My Father only.

    Matthew 25:13: Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is Coming.

    Mark 13:32: But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
    Mark 13:33: Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don't know when the time is.

    Acts 1:6: Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, "Lord, are You now restoring the Kingdom to Israel?"
    Acts 1:7: He said to them, "It isn't for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within His own authority.

    1st Thessalonians 5:1: But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.
    1st Thessalonians 5:2: For you yourselves know well that the Day of the Lord Comes like a thief in the night.

    Deuteronomy 29:29: The secret things belong to Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the Words of this Law.

  • avishai
    avishai

    The most effective site I've seen is quotes.jehovahswitnesses.com because it shows their lies using their own literature, & only their literature, how can you argue w/ that?

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit