On the fading of 1914 ............

by TheOldHippie 38 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  TheOldHippie

  Forgetful as I am, I just forgot the title of the new brochure issued at this summer's conventions, but it is something like "Keep on the Watch", and it deals with the imminent return of Christ, the signs of our times, and the need for being on the watch, being prepared for the "any day now" return.

  The signs of our times are mentioned, but NOT earthquakes, so they are "out" again, it seems. BUT, the first pages make out the basis for the belief in our days being the last ones, the final ones, and 607 is mentioned, 539 and 537 - but NOT 1914, NOT the "seven times" or "2520 years".

  Do you remember 1995, when the "generation change" came? In summer, the "Knowledge" book was issued, and it also dealt with the signs etc., but for the first time, there was no mention of the then "present truth" that some alive in 1914 would still be alive and witness the return. then in November came the WT and the "generation change". Obviously, that change did not come about shortly before November, and it did not come about in summer, as it must have taken at least a year to prepare the book. So, during close to two years before the article, the "old light" was being taught, while the "new light" in fact was the valid one. Therefore, I am eagerly looking forward to this year's November WT, to see if something is up with 1914. Very strange that a brochure exclusively dealing with the final days and the need to be on the watch and the signs, does not in one sentence mention 1914 ...............
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  shamus

  Alas,

  I don't think it will be long until the year 1914 will be downplayed even further. They have to do something to deflect they're obvious incorrect prophecy. How do they change it? Just change what 'generation' means.

  :-0
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  XQsThaiPoes

  1914 along with 1919, the blood issue, and Michael the arch angel being Jesus are all withering beliefs. They are slowly deteriorating to the point of being old light. In the what JWs believes list I noticed years ago they did not have any 1914 and Michael references. Infact they chaged the 1914 proof texts from luke (15 i think the gentile times one) to mathew 24 in many publications.

  The claim to fame is since 1914 "or thereabouts" as one recent publication said (kinda messed up if they dont know exactly when their own crap happpend anymore) more people have been dying and suffering and starving. Considering that since the industrial revolution their have been new more efficient ways to kill people and a larger population to kill they are right.

  In 1997 they said 1914 has no prophetic significance other than Christ actively ruling as king. How do they know christ is actively ruling (as oppossed to passively ruling)?

  ***

  w97 6/1 p. 28 Questions From Readers ***

  The facts about wars, famines, plagues, earthquakes, and other evidences bear out that since 1914, Jesus has been active as King of God?s Kingdom.

  The offically droped the more earthquakes and stronger earthquakes angle in 2002 but claim earthquakes "distress" people, and in 3rd world countries greedy urbanization causes poor building standards which cause preventable death.

  If they break the 1914 jesus link. The 1914 doctrine will be finally put to rest. On a positive note in that direction Jesus "coming in 1914" has be downgraded to "turning his attention to" earth in 1914. So coming to earth vs looking at earth from heaven is a pretty big dent.
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  Norm

  Hey there OldHippie,

  This is your old friend Norm. Interesting points you bring up, well observed. Notwithstanding the 1914 generation, there is one remaining great difficulty with the date 1914 from the WTS point of view. Ever since "Booze" Rutherford tried to salvage the remains of Russell's hopeless "chronology" and made 1914 the "peg" that he hanged his "new" chronology upon. You must Remember that according to that "truth" Jesus "parousia" started that year (1914), and after some years of "inspection" Jesus choose the WTS as his sole agent to take care of his "affairs" on earth. According to all this insane drivel, Jesus was appointed King in 1918/1919. I know that most dubs today don't know jack shit about any of this but 1914 is still the foundation of WTS "theology" as it was all inherited from the grand master of religious claptrap, drivel and insantity Rutherford.

  Norm

  PS. Isn't it about time we had a beer and compared notes?
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  XQsThaiPoes

  The problem they are having is the inmates run the prison. The writing department is getting too intelectually honest when it comes to 1919 /1914 they obviously don't understand why those dates are important anymore but use them by rote. They even admitted that other groups thought 1914 would be a pivotal year in bible history.

  Slowly shear rationality has eroded the meanings on those dates. The watchtower writers are at a total loss. Someone should do a modern quotes thread on 1914 showing how varied the post 1995 description of the events that happend. They need a new claim to fame because they really don't know what they think happend in 1914 except something dealing with jesus and the "last days".
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  garybuss

  Hi Norm, Good to hear from you. It looks to me that since the Witness group has gotten so rigid lately the only message is that the Governing Body is in charge. Everything they say is enforced by shunning, so they can say anything . . . . or nothing, and it has the effect of law, binding on all Witness people. Under the current administration, nothing HAS to make sense OR be religious anymore. Everything presented just HAS to be accepted. If nothing can be questioned, then nothing is important. The only thing that becomes important is the rule itself (that nothing can be questioned).
  
  
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  TheOldHippie

  Norm said, "PS. Isn't it about time we had a beer and compared notes? " And TOH replies that - it might be drawing near, any day now, perhaps it is coming close, the thought must just ripe a bit more; and, I must check the time tables of the ferries from Poland to where you are staying to find a suitable departure ...........
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  ezekiel3

  Good ideas Hippie,

  One thing that was noticibly absent during the DC part 4:15 Walking in the Path of Increasing Light was, during the "laundry list" of doctrinal changes, no mention was made of the 1995 "generation" issue. 1995 was listed as the year doctrine was changed to the sheep and goats separation afetr the tribulation. Its my opinion that the FDS is burying the "generation" change right now.

  During that same DC part the doctrinal change list started in 1925. Why then I wonder?
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  willyloman

  during the DC part 4:15 Walking in the Path of Increasing Light was, during the "laundry list" of doctrinal changes, no mention was made of the 1995 "generation" issue.

  Rather like taking a college class in 20th Century U.S. History and hearing no mention of Vietnam or WWII or the Great Depression. They'd send that history book back to the publisher for repairs!
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  RunningMan

  Did anyone think that the picture on the cover of that brochure was pretty stupid?

  The brochure is entitled, "Keep on the Watch", and the cover features a sleepy looking old man, looking up from his paper, with his glasses off. Could they possibly have picked a less watchful picture?