More Excuses for False Prophecy

by NeonMadman 11 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  NeonMadman

  The following short article appeared in the January 1, 2003 Watchtower:

  Just another attempt by the organization to justify its history of false prophecies. The watchman who mistakes an innocent noise (such as a gust of wind or a cat) for the approach of an enemy would likely not be punished for his mistake. However, if he claimed to be speaking for God, as God's only channel to mankind, and he then proclaimed the approach of an enemy when none was actually approaching, he would have suffered the death penalty as a false prophet.

  Notice also how they imply that the early Christians also suffered from prophetic failures. It's true that many of the early Christians believed that Jesus might return within their lifetimes, but they did not set dates for that to happen, declaring these dates to be "God's dates, not ours" or "Jehovah's prophetic word". Neither does the Bible state definitely (as the article asserts) that "the apostles thought that Jesus would 'restore the kingdom to Israel' soon after his resurrection." Rather, Acts 1:6 records that the disciples asked Jesus whether he would do so. This, no doubt, was because that was what many of the Jews thought the Messiah would do. There is no indication from their question that they had already formulated the answer in their minds.

  How sad that so many JW's will have their faith in the all-too-human organization reinforced by this twisted, deceitful reasoning!

  Edited by - NeonMadman on 3 January 2003 17:0:8
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  refiners fire

  With regard to that business about the "Apostles failed expectation" Its a line of argument heavily used by the Adventists. If the Apostles were wrong, well we can be wrong too. I guess the Witlesses dont use the arguement much because the 7th Days have utilized it and every cult likes to develop their own rationalizations. I did look into the relevant scripture passages about those Apostolic "disappointments" and it appears to be the case that, yes, they "expected" and were "disappointed". Just goes to show, they were just cult members too I guess.
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  Elsewhere

  I was looking up the scripture references and found something hillarious...

  2 Thess. 2: 1,2
  However, brothers, respecting the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we request of YOU not to be quickly shaken from YOUR reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here.

  They have been violating this commandment for 120 years now.

  Jesus presence is here!!!
  Jesus presence is here!!!
  Jesus presence is here!!!
  Jesus presence is here!!!
  Jesus presence is here!!!
  Jesus presence is here!!!
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  A Paduan

  The enemy waltzed right in and gave them some lies to distract them.

  Jesus came too, but when they saw Him in the street they walked right by, and when they saw Him hungry or hurt on tv they changed the channel.

  He didn't have the credentials they recognise - but then again He didn't say "watch out for me coming, all you need to do is check everyone's jw credentials"

  "..why do you stand looking into heaven?"

  paduan
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  No Apologies

  Perhaps the apostles had some incorrect ideas about the time frame for Jesus' return, but I do not recall them ever disfellowshipping someone who did not share their belief.
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  johnny cip

  as usual. the wt takes verses out of context... you would have to be an idiot to match those verses with the wt article. not one says that the apostles or other christians were proclaiming the return of christ in their time. and if any were thinking that way ,it seems that they were straightened out but fast.... wow the wt is batting 100% on this one with twisting the word of god... that's why i hate reading a wt when i look up the verses it's always out of context!!!!! john
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  onacruse

  Notice also how they imply that the early Christians also suffered from prophetic failures.

  What makes this even more ironic is that 2 Th 2 has nothing to do with any prophetic misinterpretation. It has to do with Paul's expeditious correction of a misunderstanding among some in the Thessalonian congregation, a misunderstanding that had nothing to do with the intent or content of anything Paul had said.

  Matthew Henry (bold added):

  From these words it appears that some among the Thessalonians had mistaken the apostles meaning, in what he had written in his former epistle about the coming of Christ, by thinking that it was near at hand, that Christ was just ready to appear and come to judgment. Or, it may be, some among them pretended that they had the knowledge of this by particular revelation from the Spirit, or from some words they had heard from the apostle, when he was with them, or some letter he had written or they pretended he had written to them or some other person: and hereupon the apostle is careful to rectify this mistake, and to prevent the spreading of this error. Observe, If errors and mistakes arise among Christians, we should take the first opportunity to rectify them, and hinder the spreading thereof; and good men will be especially careful to suppress errors that may arise from a mistake of their words and actions, though that which was spoken or done was ever so innocent or well.

  As soon as Paul got wind of this erroneous speculation, he corrected it (probably within less than a year after it started).

  One big difference: Paul didn't have to eat crow pie, but the WTS has a whole freezer full of them.

  Craig
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  jgnat

  More apologetics from December 1, 2002

  p. 18 Although the slave class is defined as faithful and discreet, Jesus did not say that it would be infallible. The group of faithful anointed brothers still consists of imperfect Christians. Even with the best of intentions, they can be mistaken, such as men sometimes were in the first century. (Acts 10:9-15; Galatians 2:8, 11-14) However, their motive is pure, and Jehovah is using them to supply us with study aids to build up our faith in Gods Word and promises.

  See, no problems with all their mistakes. Their motive was pure.
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  onacruse

  gnat, sure flies in the face of all those WT articles over the years about how sincerity is not enough, doesn't it?

  Craig
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  cruzanheart

  their motive is pure

  Sort of depends on whose ox is getting gored, doesn't it? The Nazis felt their motive was pure. Osama Bin Laden certainly feels his motive is pure. I always thought the whole point of all that studying was to prove to yourself that the teaching was correct; not the motive. I guess I missed the point

  Edited by - cruzanheart on 4 January 2003 0:1:18

  Edited by - cruzanheart on 4 January 2003 0:5:34