Wisdom After The Event

by Englishman 14 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Englishman
    Englishman

    During my time in the dubs, I recall that many "Scriptural fulfillments" were listed in the society's literature, in particular the 1914 doctrine. However, it occurs to me that most of these fulfillments were recognised after the event actually took place, and, call me a cynic if you will, I have a sneaky feeling that anyone with only one brain cell can make a prophesy about something that has actually already happened. After all, hindsight is a wonderful thing!

    I'm interested to collate a list of such so called "fulfillments", in particular, the one's that have appeared since my departure in '72. In fact, any at will do. The sillier the better, actually.

    Englishman.

  • blondie
    blondie

    These quotes might shed some light on the WTS position. (smile)

    1927 Prophecy can not be understood until it has been fulfilled or is in the course of fulfillment. From 1874 to 1914 the prophecy concerning the Lord's coming was being fulfilled and could be understood, and was understood, by those who were faithful to the Lord and who were watching the development of events, but not by others. (Creation; 1927; p. 290)

    *** w51 7/1 399 Release to the Captives ***

    It is further established that prophecy may be understood only after it has been fulfilled or during the course of its fulfillment. No matter who tried to grasp the meaning of these visions they could never know until Jehovah the "revealer of secrets" (Dan. 2:47) disclosed them by bringing the actual events to pass .

    Man?s Salvation Book pages 190-1

    Chapter 11 No Harming nor Ruining in the Spiritual Paradise


    Therefore the time for the fulfillment of Isaiah?s prophecy concerning the transformation of the disposition of animal life dates from the postwar year 1919 C.E. onward. This marked the beginning of a period of education in the written Word of God from the standpoint that Bible prophecy is best understood after it has been fulfilled. So there needed to be a correction of our previous views, and the surviving remnant of spiritual Israel needed to be readjusted to the postwar realities and opportunities.
  • Englishman
    Englishman

    Thank you, Blondie.

    Someone mentioned that a certain assembly was the fulfillment of a trumpet blast or something like that.

    What was all that about?

    Englishman.

  • shamus
    shamus

    That was the fulfillment of the trumpet blast linked to John 3:72, Euphanism 3:2, and the book of Armaments, chapters 5:2-8:76, I do believe!

    Sorry, just in a silly mood, eh!

  • frenchbabyface
    frenchbabyface
    E-Man :I have a sneaky feeling that anyone with only one brain cell can make a prophesy about something that has actually already happened

  • blondie
    blondie

    Over the years, I would cringe and hope I never had to explain this to anyone. Each and every time it was discussed at the book study, I would never raise my hand. Of course, this "fulfillment" depends on 1914 being a prophetic date to support 1919 being the year God said the WTS was his channel on earth.

    Here is a QFR:

    w90 4/1 31 Questions From Readers


    When

    did the seven angelic trumpet blasts of Revelation begin to sound?

    In Revelation chapters 8, 9, and Þ Re Ü 11, we read of seven angels who blew seven trumpets, heralding plagues of great intensity on portions of mankind. These represent proclamations of Jehovah?s judgments that have been publicized by Jehovah?s people throughout the time of the end starting notably with the Cedar Point convention of 1922.?See Revelation?Its Grand Climax At Hand!, chapters 21 to 23 and chapter 26.

    The first four trumpet blasts expose the spiritually dead state of Christendom?s portion of "the earth" and "the sea," as well as the fallen condition of the clergy and Christendom?s spiritual darkness.?Revelation 8:7-12.

    History shows that the public exposure of these facts actually began before 1922. For example, the lecture "Millions Now Living May Never Die," first delivered in 1918 and published in booklet form in 1920, told of Christendom?s failure and of the approaching end of this world. The Golden Age of September 29, 1920, plainly exposed Christendom as a fornicator, a lying fraud, and a misleader of the people.

    Why, then, does the Revelation Climax book say that these four trumpets only started to be blown at the Cedar Point convention in 1922? Because it was then that the call went forth to "advertise, advertise, advertise the King and the Kingdom," giving great impetus to the preaching activity. The November 1, 1922, issue of The Watch Tower, says: "The friends . . . took it as the keynote of the convention that the real privilege and duty of the consecrated now on earth is to advertise the presence of the Lord, the great King of kings, and that his kingdom is here, and that this is the most important thing for them to do."

    It should also be noted that while all four of these judgment messages have been publicized by Jehovah?s Witnesses since 1922, each in turn received a powerful impetus from the adoption of four resolutions at conventions held between 1922 and 1925. Tens of millions of copies of these resolutions were subsequently distributed in printed form, effectively exposing Christendom?s spiritually dead state.?See the Revelation Climax book, page 133, paragraph 15.

    The final three trumpet blasts involve "woes." (Revelation 8:13) They are different from the first four trumpet blasts in that they relate to specific events. The fifth trumpet blast is related to the release in 1919 of God?s people from "the abyss." The sixth has to do with the "cavalry" and the massive international preaching campaign that began in 1922. The seventh is linked to the birth of God?s Kingdom in 1914.?Revelation 9:1-19; 11:15-19.

    Each of these events brought woe to Satan and his world. The release of the anointed in 1919 from the abyss of inactivity stung Christendom?s clergy and demonstrated Jehovah?s total rejection of her. From 1922 down to today, the huge cavalry has killed Christendom, spiritually speaking, exposing her dead condition and warning of her coming destruction. And after the birth of the Kingdom in 1914, Satan was cast out of heaven, stirring up ruinous trouble among mankind. Soon the Kingdom will remove the seemingly stable human society Satan has built up (the earth), wiping out rebellious mankind (the sea) at Armageddon.?Revelation 11:17?12:12; 21:1.

    At the Cedar Point convention in 1922, all three "woes" became evident to the world at large. The preaching campaign then initiated made it clear that "the locusts" were out of "the abyss" and the charge by the "cavalry" was under way. And the stirring call to advertise the King and the Kingdom was in full harmony with the seventh trumpet blast. The March 1, 1925, issue of The Watch Tower explained that events in 1914, 1919, and 1922 were foretold in Revelation chapter 12. This was a deeper understanding of the birth of the Kingdom, and it was faithfully publicized by Jehovah?s Witnesses. In addition, the announcing of this plaguing information received a major impetus from the adoption and subsequent distribution of powerful resolutions during conventions held from 1926 to 1928.?See Revelation?Its Grand Climax At Hand!, pages 147, 149, 172.

    Hence, the blowing of the seven trumpets began in 1922 and got well under way during the 1920?s. Since then, Jehovah?s people have cooperated fearlessly with the angels in telling all mankind that Christendom is spiritually dead, her clergy are fallen leaders, and soon she and the rest of this satanic world will be destroyed.

  • Englishman
    Englishman

    Excellent Blondie!

    This is the sort of stuff that I'm looking for. Ludicrous after-the-event interpretations that would even embarrass a died in the wool dub.

    I remember some weird interpretations of the 10 plagues of Egypt being pushed and pushed in the 60's, even my devout PO Dad scratched his head at those ones.

    Englishman.

  • blondie
    blondie

    There is another one about the 2,300 days at Daniel 8:14 that has been adjusted many times. If I have time, I'll check it out. Or maybe someone else already has. With the statements I first gave the WTS can rewrite prophecy (their version) at any time.

    Blondie

  • blondie
    blondie

    *** w65 6/15 367 The Great Potter Molds Human Vessels ***

    *** w65 7/1 392 Plaguing the Modern "Egyptians" with Truth ***
    Plaguing the Modern "Egyptians" with Truth

    *** w65 7/1 401 The Tenth Plague-Firstborn Slain ***


    Good memory, Englishman. Yes, all ten plagues are made to apply to Christendom all from the mind of Fred Franz.

    Blondie

  • RunningMan
    RunningMan

    Here are the various interpretations of the 1260 days:

    1881 (From 538 AD to 1798 AD):

    The 1260 days represent 1260 years and cover the period of power of the papacy from 538 to 1798AD. (W 1881 Dec p7)

    1890 (From 539 AD to 1799 AD):

    Changed to 539-1799AD (W 1889 Jan/Feb p4; Studies in the Scriptures III - Thy Kingdom Come (1890), p58,63,64)

    1930 (From Nov 7, 1914 to May 7, 1918):

    1260 days are now literal days, from a Watchtower issue of Nov 7 1914 to May 7, 1918 when the order to arrest the Watchtower Society president was issued. (Light I, p 199; Your Will be Done on Earth p181,331)

    1969 (From Oct 4/5, 1914 to Mar 26/7, 1918):

    Still literal days, but they now begin on Oct 4/5 of 1914 and end at the memorial of March 26/27, 1918. (Then is Finished the Mystery of God, p261-263)

    1977 (From Dec 28, 1914 to Jun 21, 1918):

    Another change to the period from Dec 28, 1914 to June 21, 1918. (Our Incoming World Government, p127-33)

    1988 (From Oct 4/5, 1914 to Mar 26/7, 1918):

    Goes back to 1969 understanding. (Revelation - It's Great Climax is at Hand!, p164)

    1993 (From Dec 28, 1914 to Jun 21, 1918): Goes back to 1977 understanding. (W 93 11/1, p9,10)

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