https://youtu.be/VPws6nCQPLA?si=DQNf7-huPFr4PDtA
For decades, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been banging on about Babylon the Great—the so-called world empire of false religion—being on the brink of collapse. Any day now, they assured us, churches would empty out, priests would be left twiddling their thumbs, and humanity would collectively bin organised religion. And yet… here we are. Churches are still standing, mosques and temples are packed, and religion is still thriving in large swathes of the world.
So, what do you do when your long-anticipated prophecy isn’t quite unfolding as expected? Well, if you're the Watchtower Society, you simply tweak the narrative. Again. And again.
At the latest annual meeting, the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses unveiled yet another “adjustment” (their favourite euphemism for backtracking). This time, it’s all about Babylon the Great, and it’s a pretty big U-turn. Let’s break it down into three key changes.
Change 1: Babylon the Great Is *Not* Actually Falling (At Least, Not Yet)
For years, Jehovah’s Witnesses confidently declared that Babylon the Great was in a terminal decline. Europe’s churches were emptier than a pub on Christmas morning, faith was supposedly on the way out, and this was solid proof that Jehovah was dismantling false religion in preparation for the Great Tribulation.
Except, as it turns out, religion isn’t exactly gasping its last breath worldwide. While Europe might be swapping Sunday service for Sunday brunch, Africa, South America, and large parts of Asia are still very much devoted to their faiths. Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism are still experiencing growth in many regions, and Jehovah’s Witnesses have been forced to acknowledge this inconvenient reality.
So, rather than admit their prediction was a bit premature, they’ve decided that, actually, Babylon the Great is *gradually* losing support, but it's not quite at the collapsing stage yet. The waters, they now say, are only *drying up* rather than disappearing entirely. Ah, yes—the classic "technically, we weren’t *wrong*” manoeuvre.
Change 2: The Great Tribulation No Longer Starts with Babylon’s Fall
Here’s another one they’ve quietly reshuffled. For decades, Witnesses were taught that the Great Tribulation—the beginning of the end of the world—would be triggered by governments suddenly turning on religion and wiping out all false faiths. Babylon the Great would be obliterated, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, as the only true faith, would emerge untouched, finally getting their *I told you so* moment.
Well, not anymore. According to the latest interpretation, the Great Tribulation actually starts with something quite different: nations handing over their power to the United Nations. Yes, the very same UN that Jehovah’s Witnesses have been demonising for decades as part of Satan’s world order is now, apparently, fulfilling God’s plan.
This shift is significant. Instead of expecting an immediate, dramatic collapse of religion, Witnesses are now being told to look for political changes instead. It’s a convenient way to move the goalposts—rather than having to explain why Babylon the Great is still alive and well, they can now focus on political shifts that may or may not happen in the near future.
Essentially, they've gone from “Religion is about to be wiped out” to “Actually, let’s keep an eye on the UN instead.” And, conveniently, this new timeline keeps the sense of urgency alive without requiring them to acknowledge that their previous predictions didn’t quite pan out.
Change 3: A Softer Stance Towards Other Religions
Perhaps the most surprising shift of all is the *tone* of this new understanding. Historically, Jehovah’s Witnesses have had no qualms about calling other religions part of a corrupt, satanic system destined for destruction. They proudly distanced themselves from *Christendom*, rejected interfaith cooperation, and made it clear that all other faiths were doomed.
But now? The message is getting noticeably softer. Rather than talking about the imminent destruction of all other religions, they’re subtly shifting the focus towards political changes. Could this be a strategic move to appear more respectable and mainstream? It certainly seems that way.
Let’s not forget that Jehovah’s Witnesses operate as registered charities in countries like the UK and Australia. If they go around gleefully predicting the downfall of every other religion, it doesn’t exactly help their reputation when governments review their charitable status. By softening their stance, they can present themselves as a peaceful, law-abiding group rather than a fringe movement obsessed with Armageddon.
This shift could also make life easier for Witnesses in countries where they’re viewed with suspicion. France, Spain, and Norway, for instance, have taken a harder stance against what they consider to be extreme religious groups. If the Watchtower wants to maintain influence in these regions, appearing less antagonistic towards other faiths is a smart move.
And let’s be honest—publicly rooting for the collapse of all other religions while simultaneously claiming tax-exempt charity status was always going to be a tough sell.
The Big Picture: A Strategic Survival Move?
So, what’s really going on here? Is this another case of “new light” (aka “Oops, we need to rethink that one”), or is there something more strategic at play?
One thing is certain: the Watchtower is losing members. Their growth has slowed dramatically, Kingdom Halls are being sold, and internal reports suggest they’re struggling to retain young people. If you’re an organisation watching your influence wane, you have two choices: double down on the old narrative or pivot to something more sustainable.
By shifting away from the “Babylon is about to collapse” rhetoric and focusing on the UN, they buy themselves time. If churches are still standing strong in 10 years, no problem—they can just say the political scene hasn’t quite aligned yet.
At the same time, toning down their hostility towards other religions makes them more palatable as a charity and reduces their risk of being classified as an extremist group. It’s a classic PR move: soften the message, stay relevant, and ensure the money keeps flowing.
Final Thought: Who’s Actually in Decline Here?
For decades, Jehovah’s Witnesses have warned the world that religion is on the verge of collapse. But if you look at the numbers, it’s actually the *Watchtower* that seems to be in trouble. Their once-unquestioned authority is being challenged, their membership is stagnating, and now they’re having to reframe their prophecies to keep their followers engaged.
So, maybe Babylon the Great *isn’t* the one falling after all. Maybe it’s the Watchtower. And in this religious survival game, they seem to have realised that playing nice might just be their best chance at staying afloat.
Not quite the grand Armageddon they promised, is it?