When I first came into contact with Jehovah's Witnesses they were talking about God's Kingdom bringing about a peaceful new world. The scripture used being Psalm 37:10,11 "Just a little while longer and the wicked will be no more.You will look at where they were and they will not be there., but the meek will possess the earth and they will find exquisite delightin the abundance of peace..".
I took this to mean, then, that when Jehovah intervened, at his appointed time, it would be instantly, invisibly, and painlessly. That everything harmful, and those who would persist in wickedness would just vanish, and those left would live and work together in peace. (I had come out of a long period of depression and mental illness, and I guess I was hoping for some kind of " magical transformation"). It was only later that the idea of Armageddon was introduced to me, and the pictures in publications of lightning, fire and hail falling from heaven, with people running through the streets screaming as buildings toppled and the ground opened up. I was disturbed by this, but by then had been drawn in by the association, and kept being assured that if I kept praying and studying everything would eventually be clear.
At that time, early 1980s, we were still getting hardline, old school talks and articles on how "every last vestige of Satan's wicked system of things would be shaken to the ground." Then following Armageddon we of the Great Crowd who were protected and survived would spend considerable time digging through the rubble. They used to go on and on about those prophecies about the birds feeding on the bodies of the slain. I used to ask others if that was literal or symbolic but no one would commit to an answer.
Everything would have to be rebuilt from the ground up, building houses, planting vineyards, welcoming back the Resurrected Dead, everyone being judged and instructed in righteousness as the effects of sin were gradually removed, until the end of rhe Thousand Year Reign and a Final Test, after which all would attain perfect everlasting life and "the glorious freedom of the children of God".
In recent years the Governing Body seems to have gotten and advanced the idea that somehow Watchtower properties and facilities will be spared and still functional. In one of his last talks before stepping out, Anthony Morris lII said (of the videos (purportedly) to be produced at Ramapo "... these videos could be....or may well be...used to teach resurrected ones!..."., and recent Watchtower illustations have depicted brothers teaching resurrected people using tablets and screens.
Even the " glorious freedom" is now seen as more directed and conrolled. Once it was said life could never be boring, we would have unlimited time to explore the earth and all of Jehovah's creation, to develop new skills and talents, to travel and eventually become a friend of everyone, and who knows, beyond that? Now they pitch the idea that people will be "assigned". David Splane said in a talk."... suppose you love the country, but you are assigned to live in a city?...Well you can learn to love the city!"
Also, some don't seem able to think beyond the Paradise pictures printed in the publications for so long. A visiting Sunday speaker here recently concluded a talk asking the audience to see themselves there..."Picture it! Your great-great-great- great grandchildren running up to you begging "Grandpa! Tell us again how Jehovah destroyed the nations at Armageddon!"... and imagine...the 10,000th time you rub that lion's belly will be just as delightful as the first! Well, perhaps, but with eternity in view I kind of thought we'd also move on to other pursuits...
Sorry so long, but would be interested in any thoughts...