Part of the thrill of "new light" is the demand placed upon JWs to unequivocally accept it, on pain of "death." For example, what was said in 1925 about the new "understanding" of Revelation 12. In the article "Birth of a Nation" the WTS said (bold added):
W 3/1/25 p. 67
What is here stated is not dogmatically stated. Trusting in the Lord for guidance, it is submitted for the prayerful and careful consideration of the anointed ones. If there are readers of the Watch Tower who cannot agree with what is here stated, then it is suggested that such calmly and carefully wait upon the Lord, always keeping a pure heart...It seems to be a safe rule to follow, that prophecy can not be understood by us until it is fulfilled or in the course of fulfillment...
It seems quite clear that the last three verses of Revelation, eleventh chapter, are a part of the twelfth chapter. If that be true, then it follows that the twelfth chapter of Revelation, under the
rule above stated, could not be understood or appreciated until after 1918; that is to say, until the opening of the temple when the Lord came to his temple. If the prophecy of Revelation twelfth chapter began to have its fulfillment at or immediately after that date, then the temple class should now be able to see some of
it and to appreciate it. After careful and prayerful consideration, it seems proper here to call attention to some physical facts which seem to be in fulfillment of the prophecy of the twelfth chapter of Revelation. Probably the Lord wants his anointed to see a little more just now, during a flash of lightning, that they may be encouraged to hold fast to the promises and press on in the fight.
Looks so conciliatory, eh? So humble, so open-minded, so brotherly. But what happened? Some of the R&F took this advice and had their reservations. So Ruthlessford follows up a few months later (bold added):
W 8/15/25 p. 246
It has been suggested by some that the article on the twelfth chapter of Revelation in March first Watch Tower is of private interpretation. But it is not of private interpretation; it is merely applying to the Scriptures long ago written in prophetic phrase the facts as we know them now to exist. The time has come for this scripture to be understood; and the Lord promised his people, the church, to convey an
understanding of it, and those who appreciate it rejoice.
There are some who have no understanding, as the Psalmist shows, and these the Lord must treat like the horse or the mule. They must be guided by the bridle or held by the bit, since they do not recognize that the Lord is instructing his people and guiding them with his wisdom. Not being
anxious to walk with the company of the Lords little ones, such accept what doctrines they may choose to accept and walk according to their own individual wisdom...[Psalm 32:9, 10]...This seems to apply to those who have held
high places amongst the brethren, who have been privileged to have the truth, but have misused it.
Some things never change.
Craig
Edited by - onacruse on 25 January 2003 23:26:27
