by MicaSmith 57 Replies latest watchtower bible
Since all gens overlap then this addition of the qualifying word "overlapping" can only mean that it gives them the out they needed to make it possible for the "this generation" to go on ...and on indefinitely.
IOW some fancy footwork was needed from the great thinkers known as WT writing department when they got the directive from above to "Make the generation teaching work - asap!"
The overlapping generation nonsense is made up to cover up a lie a really big lie, the 1914 fiasco. The rank and file are forced to accept it, don't need to understand it. Its not logical its not rational, its ridicules. That's why they want the rank and file to remain uneducated so there easier fooled and scammed.
This is how you beat and fleece a sheep.
The made a decision not to abandon 1914. But with 1914 still in the books they needed a way to connect to the current crowd.
I for one am quite impressed with their creativity. I doubt I could have thought of anything as creative.
Russell had made other predictions of Christ's coming before 1914. The only reason they clung to 1914 was the coincidental occurance of WWI. They changed their prediction tho and said 'actually, his presence is invisible...but he's here! Believe us!!' So since that time, they've been buying time with different variations on the generation teaching. Desperately looking for ways to string people along and keep that carrot on the stick just out of reach.
They've been successful for 102 years now!! Which is quite a feat when you think about it. Those are some pretty legit manipulation skills.
Everyone in my family born on or before 1914 is dead. The only relative I have alive now that was born in the 1920's is my Dad and he's failing.
Eventually, the Borg will have to drop the whole 1914/over-flapping generation crap because it just isn't going to fly any longer. It will be interesting to see if they come up with some new piece of garbage they want their members to swallow.
edited to add: Actually Xanthippe, although the long held explanation was dropped in 1995 the overlapping crap wasn't brought out until 2010. There were two or three other crappy explanations in between! - Freddo
So what were the two or three other explanations Freddo? Anybody?
So what were the two or three other explanations Freddo? Anybody?
Here it is: http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/generation.php
Courtesy of JWFACTS:
1897 - A group of contemporary people
"Other uses of this Greek word (genea) prove that it is not used with the significance of race, but in reference to people living contemporaneously.... In other words, the signs mentioned will occur within a generation - epoch in the close of the age." Studies in the Scriptures Vol 4 pp.602,603
1927 - The anointed
"The irresistible conclusion therefore is that Jesus referred to the new creation [the anointed] when he said: This generation shall not pass until all these things be fulfilled. This then would be a strong indication that some members of the new creation will be on the earth at the time of Armageddon." Watchtower 1927 Feb 15 p.62
1951 - A fixed period of time from 1914 applied to worldly people
"The actual meaning of these words is, beyond question, that which takes a generation in the ordinary sense, as at Mark 8:12 and Acts 13:36, or for those who are living at the given period. So it was on this generation that the accumulated judgments were to fall. (Matt. 23:36) This therefore means that from 1914 a generation shall not pass till all is fulfilled, and amidst a great time of trouble." Watchtower 1951 Jul 1 p.404
1995 - A group of contemporary worldly people
"Jesus was not departing from his established use of the term this generation, which he consistently applied to the contemporary masses with their blind guides who together made up the Jewish nation. ... Jesus refers principally to contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics." Watchtower 1995 Nov 1 pp.14,20
2008 - The anointed
"As a class, these anointed ones make up the modern-day "generation" of contemporaries that will not pass away "until all these things occur." This suggests that some who are Christ's anointed brothers will still be alive on earth when the foretold great tribulation begins." Watchtower 2008 Feb 15 p.24
2010 - A fixed period from 1914 applied to the anointed
"He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation." Watchtower 2010 April 15 p.10
