Those NT writers (and editors/redactors) thought they were living at the very last of the Last Days, with the imminent divine intervention in prospect - in their own time, during "this generation". An example is at Revelation 22:7, 12, 20: "I am coming soon."
Doug, I totally hear you on this and am truly not offering any contradiction to that position. But this is a JW discussion board. JWs are into chronology. They believe that the "7 times" prophecy dates the 2nd coming 2520 years after the fall of Jerusalem in 607 BCE, thus in 1914. If you want to use the 587 BC secular date for the fall of Jerusalem, then you are looking at 1934, which is a date nobody wants to look at.
Your point being, that there were two groups during this time. One group who were expected to survive and still be alive when Christ came and another group who would die off and need to be resurrected. So it is not that easy to say "this generation" and apply normal lifespans. That is, it was clear many would die and have to be resurrected. What about their generation? Was Christ just talking about the younger ones who would still be alive when he returns? But the fact that many would die and need to be resurrected who lived normal life spans in the 1st century is consistent with Christ coming long after their normal lifespan. Turns out it was over 1900 years later.
Remember when Jesus told John to take care of Mary? He said to Mary, this is your son, and to John, this is your mother. Mary had other sons. John was Mary's nephew. Do you really know what he was saying? He was saying that Mary would be chosen among those who would never die along with his beloved John. Thus over the centuries, John and Mary would be together and take care of each other. Mary is still alive. I met her at the Kingdom Hall, in fact. So I'm living in a different world than you. I'm in a spiritual world which you cannot understand. Everything I tell you will seem like nonsense.
Now, whether I'm jerking your chain or delusional or both, one fact remains and it is all I have to offer. Since what I tell you is the truth and real, there is absolutely no way possible for you to disprove it. All you can do is disbelieve and call names and wait for Armageddon.
Now this is the basic plan. God appears to the elect first and his secret followers. Then later on he appears to the world and they start to believe when the miracles begin, because they can't accept what is prophesied in the Bible. They can't. In fact God says he will make it so unbelievable they won't believe it even if it is explained to them in detail. That's what is going on here.
For he that has much, more will be given. For he that has nothing, that will be taken away. So for the believers, those with faith to move mountains, we get to see the miracles. We get to meet Mary and John and Paul. We get to understand scripture. For the scorners and outsiders, if they were doubters yesterday, God makes sure he stumbles them into darkness today. If God has led them blind to a high cliff yesterday, the returned Christ comes and pushes them over today. There is no one in the middle now. When the angels of death come, they won't have to hesitate one second because those who are not marked are no longer borderliners.
But this is all academic. If it turns out that yes, John, Mary, and Paul are indeed still alive, and maintaining some critical ancient texts and artifacts, mind you, then I'll just be vindicated. But I can't possibly expect you to believe a miracle at this point. But the miracles are coming, culminating with Armageddon. That's when I'll be vindicated. In the meantime, you're just reflecting you don't believe the Bible is true and I'm reflecting that I do. God is watching us both.
BTW, do you believe in God or are you an atheist? Anyway, thanks for your work at exposing JWs. Christ says he who is not against me is for me. So since he also hates the WTS, I guess you and he have something in common. So carry on!