A good informative post as usual Doug,thanks.
We have debated on here in a number of threads how the WT is going to handle the problem of 1914, along with its attendant problem of the Big A not happening, and we wondered what direction they would go .
The consensus seems to be that they will bury 1914 as you say, much as they buried 1799 and 1874 etc. but, in addition, many felt they would go more mainstream, pulling away from the Blood Doctrine and maybe the ex-communicating to some degree.
The perrenial problem they have is that their recruitment has relied upon their being different, upon an Apocalyptic message of impending doom/judgement and their retention has relied upon strict control of information and the threat of shunning.
If they change their modus operandi (basically typical cult methods) and their unique doctrines, even to a small degree, they risk a large exodus, and what do they have to offer that would be different to other churches ?
I see them becoming more and more hard-line as to discipline and control, and just having the odd bit of "New Light" that extends the "Time of the End" a little further in to the 21st Century, the overlapping generation has only bought them a little time, as we pass 2014 they will need some pretty nifty "New Light" !
Good luck with all that Governing Body !
It was an open-minded reading of Daniel that made me realise that 1914 was just simply not in scripture, which started my journey to here, JWN, and my journey out of the WT. Your posts over the years have helped me no end on that journey, thanks again Doug.