by JohnR1975 53 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Even the carts have died off. It used to be busy on the cart chat someone saying who can do this day with me at 11? Someone else saying I can do this time on this day and so on.
these days the slots are all empty nobody books them anymore. The days are getting shorted and its getting colder.
why stand in the cold when you can go to a lovely ministry group in someone’s house, have an excuse for a social club then coffee break later
Outlaw once said “…old-school JWs were Watchtower warriors… today’s Witnesses are soft…” (paraphrasing, but not much)
And this was almost a decade before the current shitshow really kicked into gear.
There is little doubt that the zeal for preaching has diminished. I have not heard any statements indicating excitement in the previous YEARS. Other religions have kept up the pace of preaching. Mormons and smaller evangelical groups are active where I live, showing no evidence of slowing down.
So what happened to JWs to make them give up on the preaching that was once a hallmark of their existence? Beth Sarim listed some valid reasons - I think there some on a micro level that also merit consideration. Even though I have my own ideas, I would like to hear what you think.
There is no effort put into ministry anymore it’s almost completely halted.
There are some pioneer types and of course the special pioneers who seem to be on their own.
They moan and whine at the half hearted publishers who only do ten mins. They have to stay out on their own for three hours.
Many Publishers go to the group and then say they are going to do street work or park witnessing which means just go do a walk around the shops or park until meet up for coffee break.
these publishers obviously do t want to actually do any witnessing for watchtower and that is their choice.
but the pioneer types are giving them a hard time, why don’t you come and do first call with me?
I also hate it when someone comes back from KM school and
Yep.... no urgency in their message anymore.
So what happened to JWs to make them give up on the preaching that was once a hallmark of their existence?
It’s actually very simple. Jehovah’s Witness’s preaching was based on the idea that the Last Days started in 1914. And that teaching included the idea that the Generation that saw and understood what 1914 signified, would start off with a 15 year old person.
(The reason being is because a person who understood would have to be at least 15 years old to understand correctly what 1914 meant)
That 15 year old kid would be the start of the Generation that Jesus Christ referred to when he said.
“This Generation will not pass away until all these things occur” ………..Including the New Order.
They expressed the idea in a strong and forceful manner from that day forward. That Generation that saw and understood that 1914 was the Beginning of the Last days, would not get old and die off BEFORE the New Order had arrived.
Another way they put it;
Many will not grow old. …….. Some will not finish School.
In the publication Reasoning from the Scriptures p.97 it said this;
"Before the last members of the generation that was alive in 1914 will have passed off the scene, all the things foretold will occur, including the “great tribulation” in which the present wicked world will end."
In May 15, 1984 that kid that saw and understood what 1914 meant, was now 85 years old. To prove that the Governing Body still Believed that the end was real close, they printed this Awake magazine and distributed to all congregations, to distribute to as many people as possible.
See bottom picture;
But in the year 1995, it became obvious that the Governing Body finally figured out they were wrong about the generation. So the first step was to slowly change the idea of the 15 year old kid who was alive in 1914 and understood that it was the beginning of the last days, WAS NOT Part of the Generation anymore.
Fist Step was to change the mast head on the Awake which read for many years like this;
Why is Awake! Published Awake is for the enlightenment of the entire family. It shows how to cope with today’s problems. It reports the news, tells about people in many lands, examines religion and science. But it does more. It probes beneath the surface and points to the real meaning behind current events, yet it always stays politically neutral and does not exalt on race above another. 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.
October 22, 1995
Second Step was start slowing hinting away at the idea that “The Generation” could mean something else in their Watchtower Study Publication used on Sundays for members only.
And finally the Overlapping Generation was introduced and the members ate it like candy.
Mormons ideology is not based on the Last Days starting at a certain year. Neither is any other cult. That’s why the Mormons will continue till the actual last days of the human species.
Thomas, the whole Covid issue, from the spiritual and secular lockdowns to the coerced vaccines, was the game changer for me. I still have complete faith in the heavenly org, but my faith in the earthly org was severely damaged.
My brother in law is the local cart coordinator.
I asked him, how succesfull the cart work is, because nobody is interested and walk by.
He told me with big eyeballs and an irritated voice: "It's a great succes, because Jehovah sees what we do".
Last months I don't see the carts anymore here.
Gorby
"Jehovah sees what we do"".
See. Its all about that all important "image" & being seen. People pleasing.
Gorbachov I asked him, how succesfull the cart work is, because nobody is interested and walk by.
He told me with big eyeballs and an irritated voice: "It's a great succes, because Jehovah sees what we do".
Its all "me, me, me" isn't it? All about the Browney points they can win for themselves, not about doing their best to reach the hearts of their brother!
