by TerryWalstrom 51 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Great post. I look forward to the answer. I am waiting with baited breath.
I love the description: "this desperate fish has flipped and flopped like crazy, gasping for relief from the endless parade of devastating revelations about Governing Body confusion as to exactly what they are teaching and why."
Here is what I'm going to do right now.
This compilation of recent CHANGES in teaching apply to most (not all) of the questions above. I'll let you look it over for reference before giving specific answers to each numbered question above.
When did the inspection and cleansing work take place?
Old Light: 1918 / 1919
New Light: 1914 / 1919 - During that period, Jesus and his Father came to earth while they conducted the processes.
Who is the Faithful and Discreet Slave? When was its origin?
Old Light: All anointed Christians had been under the umbrella title of Faithful and Discreet Slave. The GB was the representative of the larger FDS body, beginning at 33 C.E. Jesus and the members of FDS, including who were already in heaven (known as The Kingdom of God), provided information to earth through its earthly representative, the Governing Body.
New Light: The GB limits the meaning of “Faithful and Discreet Slave” to itself. The first appointment took place in 1919. At that time the slave was appointed “over the domestics” to give them “food at the proper time.” The GB removed the other spirit-anointed from the “Slave” class.
Who were the ‘domestics’ the slave was appointed over? When did it occur?
Old Light: Previously, the term “domestics” meant only the spirit-anointed. This meant that the Governing Body was responsible for feeding just the members of the 144,000 who were living on earth beginning in 1919.
New Light: The GB has now expanded the “domestics” to include the “great crowd” class in 1919.
When are the beginning / end of the Great Tribulation?
Old Light: The Great Tribulation had three phases beginning in 1914 as the pivotal marker which identified the start of the “Great Tribulation”. This tribulation was interrupted in 1918. They had taught that (phase three) the Great Tribulation would end at Armageddon.
New Light: The Great Tribulation begins at a future time “when the United Nations … attacks Christendom … and the rest of Babylon the Great.” (Note: ‘Attack’ means a nonviolent attempt to curtail and eliminate all religious activities throughout the world.)
What is the difference between the ‘presence’ of Christ and his ‘coming’?
Old Light: the Watchtower Society has taught the two-stage: “a presence [parousia] to be followed by a “coming” [er-kho-mai] for judgment scenario. Russell taught that the secret parousia (“presence”) had taken place in 1874 which was to be followed by a 40- year period of harvest. Russell taught that when this harvest terminates in 1914 an unprecedented peace would descend on earth under the auspices of the Zionists. For about 56 years, the WTS taught that the parousia had taken place in 1874.
New Light: From about 1930, the organization has claimed that the parousia (“presence”) took place in 1914 (replacing 1874) with the (er-kho-mai) to take place in the very near future.
When and how is the parable of the Ten Virgins and Talents fulfilled?
Old Light: The GB previously taught that the parables of the Virgins and of the Talents relate to Jesus’ past “coming” in 1918.
New Light: The Watchtower magazine of July 15, 2013 states it has moved events from 1918 to a point in the future. This movement includes the positions of the Parable of the Virgins and the Parable of the Talents, which relate to Jesus’ future judgment during the future Great Tribulation, which is associated with Jesus’ future “coming-arrival”.
Is the future “coming” of Jesus at the Great Tribulation visible or invisible?
Old Light: Previously, the GB linked the “coming-arrival” to the invisible inspection in 1918 and to the appointment of the slave over all things in 1919.
New Light: Having moved the “Great Tribulation” into the future, the GB links it with the future literal visible “coming / appearing” of Jesus. The GB now says that it is at this time that the Slave (the GB) will be happy if they are found to be doing the right things. The GB affirms that it now teaches that Matthew 24:30, 42, 44, 46, 47 and 25:31 refer to the future time of judgment during the future Great Tribulation.
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When is the judgment of sheep and goats to occur?
Old Light: The GB writes that the organization had previously thought and taught that the judging by Jesus took place “during the entire period of the last days from 1914”.
New Light: The GB now places the judgment totally in the future, linking it to their future start of the “Great Tribulation.”
At Armageddon, what is the disposition of the anointed?
Old Light: The Watchtower, May 1, 1942, page 133 article unequivocally states that the anointed (remnant of his ‘little flock”) will definitely survive Armageddon and spend some time on earth following its conclusion. The Watchtower magazine of August 15, 1990 said they did not know whether some will survive the great tribulation and live on earth.
New Light: The Watchtower, July 15, 2013, page 8, the GB now says that it “appears” all anointed ones will go to heaven before Armageddon breaks out. This ‘adjusts’ all previous adjustments.
How long has Jehovah had a ‘channel of communication’ with his faithful Christian worshippers?
Old Light: "Throughout the centuries there have always been truth lovers. To mention just a few: John Wycliffe (c. 1330-1384) and William Tyndale (c. 1494-1536) furthered the work of Bible translation even at the risk of their life or freedom. Wolfgang Fabricius Capito (1478-1541), Martin Cellarius (1499-1564), Johannes Campanus (c. 1500-1575), and Thomas Emlyn (1663-c. 1741) accepted the Bible as God's Word and rejected the Trinity. Henry Grew (1781-1862) and George Storrs (1796-1879) not only accepted the Bible and rejected the Trinity but also expressed appreciation for the ransom sacrifice of Christ. Although we cannot positively identify any of such persons as "the wheat" of Jesus' illustration, certainly "Jehovah knows those who belong to him."" Jehovah's Witnesses-Proclaimers of God's Kingdom p.44
New Light: The GB says there was no “organized channel” from 101 CE to at least 1914, due to apostasy.
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There are a some specific doctrinal changes spelled out in the March 15, 2015 Watchtower (the “Study Edition” available on the JW.ORG website).
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1. I don't see where Jesus was supposed to ever have a second coming. So no. But he did become king of the messianic kingdom in 1914.
2. Since there is no "coming", it is not.
3. It is the same as the Catholic's "on this rock" doctrine. Something used to gain and hold power.
4. No one knows.
5. yes, the gentile times ended in 1914. 2520 years after they started in 607bce.
6. We will see.
7. yes
8.why should the anointed read it?
9. No one knows.
Old Light: The Great Tribulation had three phases beginning in 1914 as the pivotal marker which identified the start of the “Great Tribulation”. This tribulation was interrupted in 1918. They had taught that (phase three) the Great Tribulation would end at Armageddon.
Terry,
This view was dismantled in the article Peace with God amid the "Great Tribulation" in the January 15, 1970 issue of The Watchtower. where they admitted that a 51 year gap in the tribulation was unreasonable and wouldn't actually benefit the "Elect" at all.
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millie: is there any way to fix the right margin?
I don't understand. Try CTL while hitting the minus button a few times CTL- - -
Old Light: The Great Tribulation had three phases beginning in 1914 as the pivotal marker which identified the start of the “Great Tribulation”. This tribulation was interrupted in 1918. They had taught that (phase three) the Great Tribulation would end at Armageddon.
Terry,
This view was dismantled in the article Peace with God amid the "Great Tribulation" in the January 15, 1970 issue of The Watchtower. where they admitted that a 51 year gap in the tribulation was unreasonable and wouldn't actually benefit the "Elect" at all.
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Ever heard the song, "Everything old is new again" ?
Thank you Terry. You helped me fix my margins.
I have been really enjoying this thread.
Ever heard the song, "Everything old is new again" ?
LOL - Point taken.
That's especially funny in view of the fact that the same basic thing that forced them to change in 1970 (i.e. The "Elect" that the "Cutting Short" of the days was supposed to benefit were dying off) is happening all over again, only this time with the Great Crowd.
