Ok the background to this story , I wrote to the German Bethel, with a screen capture of their web site, where they still promote the pre 1995 definition of the "Generation". I wrote on the premise that I fell away due to this change in 1995 and what is their stance now as I would like to start studying again LMAO ( I did tell a few personal white lies, theocratic warfare right?, in order that they felt they could write back to me ).....................Never thought they would write back, it took them nearly four weeks to reply, interestingly enough, there is an email address on the letter, my letter is first, so you can get the gist, then their "exact" reply, (with the help of "GermanJW" for translation purposes,many thanksGJW ) The Watchtower Society
Niederselters,
Am Steinfels,
D-65618 Selters
For the Attention of the Service Desk
My name adress
blah Blah Blah
Dear Brothers
I first apologise for writing this in English as this is my mother tongue. I was for a few years attending my local Kingdom Hall in XXXX, I was never baptized, but fell away due to various misconceptions I had regarding a certain doctrine. I have since moved to live and work in Germany and have considered starting once again a bible study followed by attending the Kingdom hall.
One of reason why I drifted away was the 1995 change to the way the organisation defined the "Generation" of Matthew 24. Before Nov 1995, it was defined as the persons born around the year 1914, at that this generation will not pass away before the prophecies of Matthew 24 come to pass. The society claimed that this Generation was quantitive in nature i.e a generation is of 70-80 years, (the society has made this claim)
It then said that the generation was now contemporary to 1914. and this was the quote from the Watchtower Nov 1st 1995 on page 19:
"Therefore, in the final fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy today, "this generation" apparently refers to the peoples of the earth who see the sign of Christ's presence but fail to mend their ways. In contrast, we as Jesus' disciples refuse to be molded by the life-style of "this generation."
To my surprise I looked on your official website and found myself at the following link. I have made a screen capture of this in order to ensure my point is clarified. This screen caputue was made today 30th June 2003.
Screen Capture enclosed
Please note in the second paragraph where it states, "Thus all the features of the last days must take place within the lifetime of one generation, the generation of 1914, So some people who were alive in 1914, will still be alive when this system comes to an end. The society here indicates the pre 1995 stance on the generation definition. I am now confused as to this, my question is therefore, has the society reverted back to it’s pre 1995 teaching?. This was a prime reason I stopped going to the meetings as I felt uncomfortable with this change. I eventually drifted away. I would be grateful if you could reply to me indicating what the society now believe to be Jehovah’s will on the matter
I look forward to hearing from you very soon, as I wish to start studying again
With Christian Love
Mr Blah blah
THE REPLY...............
Adresss etc blah blah
"Thankyou for your letter. We have checked the enclosed screen hardcopy and found out that the source is the brochure "What Is the Purpose of Life" that was published as early as 1993 (in German). We think that this is the answer to your question. We hope that we served your needs and wish you all the best.
Sincerly,"
Blah blah
Soooooooo, there is a slight possibility that because my letter was in English then it might of confused them, but let me assure you, I'm English and live and work in Germany and English is widely used and understood here.........I leave it to your own thoughts
JGull