what is the fate of those who aren't preached to before Armageddon?

by True North 6 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  True North

  Recently I spoke with someone who says they were told that current JW teaching about those who aren't preached to before Armageddon (in China, India, etc.) is that such ones will be allowed a "second chance" in the "new order" (or "new system" or whatever it's called these days). In reply, I said I found it unlikely that this would be their teaching and that if so it would mean that even from a JW perspective, people would be better off if they were never preached to.

  So how about it? Does anyone know what the current teaching is about this? Anyone have any recent WT quotes about this? Is this maybe a case of trying to put a more appealing public front on an unattractive doctrine, perhaps saying something like "While the Bible gives no guarantees for such ones, we trust in Jehovah to do what's loving and just" thus letting the listener assume a more conscionable interpretation than what JW doctrine really teaches?
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  shotgun

  It's in Jehoover's hands!
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  blondie

  Blondie (merely reporting not supporting)

  w65 9/15 575-6 Questions from Readers

  Since millions of persons in China and other places have never heard the Kingdom message, will these people be preserved through the destruction of Babylon the Great and the war of Armageddon, or perhaps be resurrected later??H.S., U.S.A.

  It is important to understand what the Bible says about the destruction to come at the end of this system of things. In his illustration of the sheep and the goats Jesus indicated that a separating work would be done "when the Son of man arrives in his glory," and that persons would be classed as either "sheep" or "goats." (Matt. 25:31-46) In part, the basis for the separation would be the reaction of people to the preaching of the good news of the established kingdom. That preaching work is now being done by Jehovah?s witnesses. Jesus explained that those on earth who favorably responded to that message and treated kindly its bearers would be classed as "sheep" and would enter into "everlasting life." The rest of mankind who did not respond favorably to the preaching work and offered no aid to those who carried the Kingdom message would be classed as "goats" and would go, not into a temporary death, but into "everlasting cutting-off" at the time when judgment is executed.

  But some persons, appreciating that millions of people are to be resurrected and given an opportunity to serve God, wonder if the millions of individuals living today who apparently have never heard the Kingdom message preached will be everlastingly destroyed without ever having had a witness about God?s purposes. It is true that at present it appears that there are vast numbers of mankind who have not heard the Kingdom preaching. Also, from what the Bible says and from conditions in the world, we know that we are in the "last days." But we do not know just how much more will be accomplished in preaching the Kingdom message before the end comes. (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Matt. 24:3-13) If at the end of the second world war someone had said that the Kingdom preaching would be carried out, by more than a million publishers, in over 190 lands, including communistic countries, many might have found that hard to believe. Yet, Jehovah has blessed his people, and that is exactly what is being accomplished. So, if it is Jehovah?s will to have this message personally carried to the millions on earth who seemingly have not yet heard it, that will be accomplished. If he chooses, he could see to it that this message is spread in ways that we cannot yet imagine. Jesus did foretell that "this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." (Matt. 24:14) We can rest assured that God will see that the preaching work is done to his satisfaction. After that "the end" comes.

  Then those who correspond with "goats," whether in China or elsewhere, will be pronounced "cursed" and will not be permitted to survive that "end" into God?s new order of things. Since these go into symbolic "fire" (like the Devil and his angels), their punishment will be everlasting. They will never be resurrected.?Matt. 25:41-46.

  "Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace."?Ps. 37:10, 11.
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  Valis

  If he chooses, he could see to it that this message is spread in ways that we cannot yet imagine.

  The Internet?

  Sincerely,

  District Overbeer
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  ApagaLaLuz

  ummmmmm yah, the birds eat their eyes out of their sockets. no kidding, for real
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  Gopher

  they were told that current JW teaching about those who aren't preached to before Armageddon (in China, India, etc.) is that such ones will be allowed a "second chance" in the "new order"

  I like how JW's pass these ideas around -- as in "they were told". They're really so vulnerable as to believe what they hear second hand??

  Those who die in the JW-Armageddon, according to their doctrine, go straight to Gehenna -- i.e., the second death from which there is NO resurrection. The only way to have a second chance in JW theology is to die before the big "A".

  something like "While the Bible gives no guarantees for such ones, we trust in Jehovah to do what's loving and just"

  Exactly like that! That vague doctrine is about as specific as the Brooklyn-writers will get (at least in writing).
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  Valis

  *LOL* You know I was just remembering this is one of the questions I always used to piss my dad off with. He would always come back really irritated and say "Once you've heard the truth, you can't get out of it period!.."...Reminds me of a virus or the plague or somethig...once in contact you are hosed!

  Sincerely,

  District Overbeer