"Has anyone else heard (or have I been playing ostrich) that the door to door work is no longer necessary???? The follow up to that was it's not true. But, it was part of a talk at a 1 day assembly. In my days, mid 70-mid 90, the talks given at assemblies were gone over with a fine toothed comb and their were those given the charge of following the talk. Have things changed that much? How can witnessing publically ever be fulfilled??? I do it everyday in my actions in open and more spiritual actions than I ever demonstrated as a JW."
If you look at that link to the 9/1/95 Watchtower and read the entire excerpt, you will find that they are not saying the work is no longer necessary. In that same paragraph 17, it ends with "Matthew 24:14 continues to be fulfilled in a large way." (Underlining is mine.) The next two paragraphs go on to talk about the importance of the preaching work and paragraph 19 ends with "As we enter the 1996 service year, let us be determined not to slow down. Rather, we will more then ever heed Paul's words to Timothy: 'Preach the word, be at it urgently.' )2 Timothy 4:2) As we do so, we pray with all our hearts that Jehovah will continue to bless our efforts." So, clearly they do not feel the preaching work is over. They should probably have said the prophecy was being fulfilled, not that it has been fulfilled, as that more clearly states what the rest of the article is saying.
Not to defend or support what they are doing. I agree they have changed the message of salvation and the way it was to be done and all of Arthur's comments are right on. It's too bad the R&F cannot see how the organization has made the preaching work another burden to be tied up and placed on their backs.