J.W.'s reliance on Matthew 24:14

by The Fall Guy 17 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • The Fall Guy
    The Fall Guy

    Virtually every J.W. will gladly tell you that Matthew 24:14 proves that only they are God's true people/religion, because they are the only people preaching the good news worldwide today. Crucially, they double-down on this lame bet by adding that their worldwide preaching proves another WTBTS teaching, namely, that we are living in "the last days." (the same last days Russell predicted over 140 years ago!!!!!)

    In every instance in Matthew chapter 24 where Jesus used the term 'you', he was referring to his 1st century disciples (including their contemporaries) who had asked him the questions in verse 3. Verse 34 confirms this fact when Jesus said 'this' generation – not 'that'. (future)

    1) At verse 14, Jesus revealed what 'this' generation would witness before the end came, namely, that the good news of the kingdom would be “preached in all the earth.” (Greek - οἰκουμένη - "the portion of the earth inhabited by the Greeks, in distinction from the lands of the barbarians; the Roman empire, all the subjects of the empire" - Strong's Lexicon)

    2) Scripturally, Jesus words proved true for 'this' generation, as Paul's words 28 years later confirm; “...the hope of that good news that you heard and that was preached in all creation under heaven.” (Colossians 1:23)

    3) Jesus then told his disciples ('this' generation) that a 'great tribulation' which would never occur again, would then unfold. That tribulation came & went between between 66-70 C.E.

    J.W.'s should be comforted to know that Jesus never said anything about that great tribulation having “a greater fulfilment” in the future. The elders should be able to explain these contradictions to the flock.

  • neat blue dog
    neat blue dog

    Excellent. Simple truths, but over JWs heads sadly.

  • Jules Saturn
    Jules Saturn

    Wish this was posted a few weeks ago before my shepherding call!

  • Finkelstein
    Finkelstein

    The Gospel the JWS have been preaching has been one that is false tainted with commercialism from the chronological dating of 1914.

    Therefore the WTS's Gospel preaching is not accurately inline with bible Scripture.

    This also indicates the leaders of the WTS are not the chosen Faithful and Discrete Salve.

    The real truth is that the WTS made up doctrines of preaching " The Good News " such as 1914 , the end times, this generation, intentionally to enhance the proliferation of the organization's published goods and to build a financially supported business around itself.

  • nowwhat?
    nowwhat?

    Jesus preached about the heavenly kingdom. The apostles preached about the good news of the Christ. We preach about paradise earth. So what is it?

  • Bobcat
    Bobcat

    You could add Romans 16:25-26 to the evidence that Mt 24:14 was fulfilled in the first century:

    25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mysterythat had been kept secret for long ages, 26 but now is disclosed, and through the prophetic scriptures has been made known to all the nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedienceof faith
  • steve2
    steve2

    I always understood Jesus' - and then later Paul's words - to refer to all the nations in the then known world - not necessarily every single nation in the entire globe.

  • Ding
    Ding

    Unfortunately, the vast majority of JWs will believe whatever the GB tells them.

  • Island Man
    Island Man
    I always understood Jesus' - and then later Paul's words - to refer to all the nations in the then known world - not necessarily every single nation in the entire globe.

    Well the Bible writers certainly don't say "the world as we know it now" or "the lands we know of so far". No. They very plainly and explicitly say: "all the nations" and "all creation under heaven". These plain, explicit statements are clearly wrong, and constitute clear evidence that those writings weren't inspired words of an all-knowing god but entirely the work of fallible, ignorant men who lacked knowledge of civilizations outside their limited Afro-Euro-asian worldview. There is no hint of knowledge, in the Bible, of the existence of North, Central and South America which was inhabited by civilizations of people during the first century. If Romans and Colossians truly were inspired by God then Colossians 1:23 and Romans 16:26 wouldn't be saying what they're saying.

    But of course Christians can't bring themselves to acknowledge this evidence so they have to come up with spin to explain away the clear, explicit error, and justify their continued mental slavery to the idea that these books are inspired by God.

  • steve2
    steve2

    Agreed Island Man. I should have prefaced my response by saying Bible apologists understand Jesus' words as referring to all the nations of the then known world.

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