So when we see the twigs and leaves starting to sprout, does that mean that summer arrived months earlier?? No, it means that summer is NEAR, not that it is here. So when we "see all these things", does it mean that Jesus arrived decades ago (and invisibly to boot?) No----it means that His Coming is near. Hmmmm......funny, but that's exactly what the scripture says as well. Only at Crooklyn can they take something that's fairly easy to understand and twist it into something completely unrecognizable.
Mary, this was something I had to mull over myself. I always associated the "presence" as Jesus return to earth - and I believe most JW's do also. Yet to my surprise I found this article in the Proclaimers book:
***jvchap.10p.137GrowinginAccurateKnowledgeoftheTruth***As the events following 1914 began to unfold and the Bible Students compared these with what the Master had foretold, they gradually came to appreciate that they were living in the last days of the old system and that they had been since 1914. They also came to understand that it was in the year 1914 that Christ’s invisible presence had begun and that this was, not by his personally returning (even invisibly) to the vicinity of the earth, but by his directing his attention toward the earth as ruling King.They saw and accepted the vital responsibility that was theirs to proclaim "this good news of the kingdom" for a witness to all nations during this critical time of human history.—Matt. 24:3-14.
So what the heck is going on here? Jesus hasnt returned to Earth?? Are you sure?? According to this the WTS agrees with you, The signs of the Last Days are signs (or indicators) of Jesus coming in the clouds as a sign in the near future - the same way summer quickly follows the budding of the fig tree.
Yet just a few pages back in the Proclaimers book this paragraph is found:
*** jv chap. 10 p. 133 Growing in Accurate Knowledge of the Truth ***Within just a few years, on the basis of further study of the Scriptures, Russell realized that Christ would not only return invisibly but also remain invisible, even when manifesting his presence by judgment upon the wicked.
So here is the problem: the signs of the "last days" are signs of Jesus "presence" - yet Jesus is not on Earth, his presence is felt on Earth but in fact He is not here and has not returned. He is in heaven and "has turned his attention to the Earth" (this is not found in this bible passage - as Leolaia would say - Eisegesis Alert!)
Yes, Jesus coming as a sign is future - but this sign that "all the tribes of the earth" are to see and "beat themselves" over is - according to the above quote is -ALSO INVISIBLE !!!!
SO NOW WHAT?? Jesus presence is invisible AND his "MANIFESTING HIS PRESENCE" is invisible when he Judges mankind?
But what was the point of this entire discussion? Was it not Jesus coming as a sign? How is it we are now talking about his invisible presence?
It almost seems that His coming in the clouds has been forgotten about - not even relevant, after all - His presence has done everthing already so now he doesnt need to return! Right??
These guys dont know what they believe. This was stuck in this book as a "scape goat" so the WTS can say that one day the WTS can say that Jesus has returned and is judging and look, we always beleived this all along - look we said this years ago - werent you paying attention? You need to study more and go to more meetings!
UUUGGHHH!!!!!