Posts by Doug Mason

21

We the rank and file are prophets

by Crazyguy in

i have the elders coming to my home soon and need help finding a watchtower where thay stated that the regular publishers were also prophets, i think it came out about 2007 i think but not sure..

Doug Mason

crazyguy,

It is my view that one strong reason JWs "hang in" is they fear the impact of shunning. These elders are no different, each has the same fear - plus this is the only place they can exert authority.

The Elder operates with the knowledge that the WT hierarchy is constantly monitoring them.

For an Elder to report back that they found no problem from a dissident would put that Elder into an invidious position. Never expect balanced impartiality - the Elder's self-interest is paramount.

Doug

13

Is their a table/list comparing what the WT & Awake magazines print that differs from their bound volumes ?

by smiddy in

i have seen quotations from time to time that says the wt & awake magazines have been changed when the bound volumes come out , has anybody ever been able to list these changes ?

and make a comparison .?

to me this is quite deceptive , like speaking out of both sides of your mouth .if you pick them up on one thing then they quote something different , and have the printed page to prove it.surely they need to be nailed down on this.. smiddy.

Doug Mason

I have listed changes between "Millennial Dawn"/"Studies in the Scriptures" at:

http://www.jwstudies.com/Changed_MD_and_SS_words.pdf

CTR used the title "Millennial Dawn" because he taught that the Millennium had already dawned (started) in the 1870s. He titled his magazine: "Zion's Watch Tower [future peace in 1914 under the Zionists] and Herald of Christ's Presence [past Parousia in 1874]".

Imagine what would happen to a JW if they started preaching CTR's message. The GB would have that JW - and CTR - booted out pronto.

Doug

16

Pages 1766-1767 of the 2013 NWT

by Doug Mason in

pages 1766-1767 of the 2013 nwt states that the message of the bible is gods right to rule.. given that the wts declares that gods kingdom rule began in 1914, one would suspect that this would feature.

instead, there is a vague reference to something that supposedly happened about 1914.. here's the picture:.

http://www.jwstudies.com/2013_nwt__pages_1766__1767.jpg.

Doug Mason

If the WTS was writing about "God's rule", then why did it not include its view that "God's Kingdom Rule" undertook its major change in focus in 1914?

Its picture of Satan being cast out is not "God's Rule". That picture is a story about Satan, not about the Kingdom.

CTR expected the outbreak of peace in October 1914, Rutherford was still teaching the 1874 Parousia as late as 1930.

How could "heaven's time" be synchronised with time on Earth, anyway? Does heaven have a clone solar system? Does heaven rotate in syncronism with earth's rotation about its axis?

Doug

13

Can it be delayed until 1914?

by Doug Mason in

under the heading of "can it be delayed until 1914?

" in zion's watch tower of july 15, 1894, russell advised his readers that the trouble they were experiencing was taking place exactly as he had anticipated 17 years earlier.. russell's readers were concerned that, given the troubles they were experiencing, matters could not hold out until 1914.. he comforted them with the information that 1914 was not the date for the beginning of the time of trouble, but for its end.. the full text and a scan of that page from the watch tower is available at:.

http://www.jwstudies.com/watchtower_1894_07_15_page_226.pdf .

Doug Mason

Under the heading of "Can it be delayed until 1914?" in Zion's Watch Tower of July 15, 1894, Russell advised his readers that the trouble they were experiencing was taking place exactly as he had anticipated 17 years earlier.

Russell's readers were concerned that, given the troubles they were experiencing, matters could not hold out until 1914.

He comforted them with the information that 1914 was not the date for the beginning of the time of trouble, but for its end.

The full text and a scan of that page from the Watch Tower is available at:

http://www.jwstudies.com/Watchtower_1894_07_15_page_226.pdf

Doug

2

When "our 20th century" became "our day"

by Doug Mason in

the watchtower magazine of january 1, 1989 writes of paul laying a foundation that would be completed in our 20th century.

the bound version of that magazine, however, amended the words to completed in our day.. http://www.jwstudies.com/when_the__20th_century__became__our_day_.jpg .

doug.

Doug Mason

The Watchtower magazine of January 1, 1989 writes of Paul laying a foundation “that would be completed in our 20th century”. The bound version of that magazine, however, amended the words to “completed in our day”.

http://www.jwstudies.com/When_the__20th_century__became__our_day_.jpg

Doug

16

Pages 1766-1767 of the 2013 NWT

by Doug Mason in

pages 1766-1767 of the 2013 nwt states that the message of the bible is gods right to rule.. given that the wts declares that gods kingdom rule began in 1914, one would suspect that this would feature.

instead, there is a vague reference to something that supposedly happened about 1914.. here's the picture:.

http://www.jwstudies.com/2013_nwt__pages_1766__1767.jpg.

Doug Mason

Pages 1766-1767 of the 2013 NWT states that the “Message of the Bible” is God’s Right to Rule.

Given that the WTS declares that God’s Kingdom Rule began in 1914, one would suspect that this would feature. Instead, there is a vague reference to something that supposedly happened “about 1914”.

Here's the picture:

http://www.jwstudies.com/2013_NWT__pages_1766__1767.jpg

Doug

12

Letter To WT By Julius Mantey

by Bangalore in

.

bangalore.

Doug Mason

DS211,

Before citing the John gospel, research its background, such as the alliances of the writers. Then research its contrasts with the synoptic writers (remembering that the authors of all gospels were/are anonymous - the names were added later in order for them to be acceptable). Read also the other gospels that did not make it into the Canon that was decided on some 400 to 600 years later.

This is where the real insight exists.

Doug

12

Letter To WT By Julius Mantey

by Bangalore in

.

bangalore.

Doug Mason

DS211,

I first saw this in "Scholastic Dishonesty of the Watchtower", Michael Buskirk (CARIS).

I suspect a scan is available; if not, I will have to look for my copy.

Doug

14

Isn`t the scripture at Rev.12: 12,13 Pointless ? " Woe for the earth...because the Devil has come down to you having great anger...."

by smiddy in

doesnt the bible clearly show he has always been on the earth causing trouble and havoc ?

onwards.. then especially with the account in the book of job.. not forgetting his tempting jesus in the wilderness.. being reinforced in 2cor.4:4 "...the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of unbeleivers...".

all of which occurs on earth with humans , so whats the big deal about rev.12:12,13 ?.

Doug Mason

The book of Revelation was written to and for the people at that time, who were suppressed by Rome (Babylon also had suppressed God's people; Rome sat on seven hills - no imagination required).

That's why the apocalypse ends with "I am coming soon". It shows what they were thinking at that time.

Doug

40

Feb 15 study W/T up on jw.org

by konceptual99 in

latest wt is up.. reinforces jesus becoming king in 1914 (no let up on that date).

marriage of the lamb to the 144,000. yawn.... yawn..... celebrates the 100 year anniversary of the photo drama of creation.

it seems to me that every 100 year anniversary shall be celebrated just to try and take the wind from the sails of apostates.. .

Doug Mason

The other issue related to the "70 years" was the date when Jesus was murdered. By cutting Daniel 9 loose from reference to Jesus, the WTS is now able to better align with conventional scholarship. For example, only from the "John" Gospel can one deduce that his ministry lasted 3 years. The Synoptists would indicate it lasted a few months, perhaps as long as 1 year.

I see the WTS's comments at pages 1722-1723 of its 2013 NWT that it has dropped the term "impaled" with reference to Jesus' death. (see also "impale" at pages 660 ftnt and at page 1713). This is another issue I repeatedly had raised here - little doubt that the WTS learns a lot at this site from you guys!

None of these corrections will deter me. I will continue until the WTS drops its practice of "shunning" (and the associated measures) and its inhumane lies about the medical use of blood and its products.

Doug