the point i was trying make is that real reason for doing away with 1935 was because of the aging and dying governing body leaving the newer guys with no authority... in fact, i believe they purposely increased the number of memorial "partakers" in recent years to take the attention away from the fact that they now have a governing body that were mostly born after 1935... and it worked... more attention was placed on the increasing number of partakers than the legitimacy of the new governing body... these guys are smarter than we think...
Posts by Alfred
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77Heavenly Gates Closed in 1935 Re-opened in 2007
by Alfred insince 1935, the watchtower had been categorically teaching (for over 6 decades) that the heavenly calling of the 144,000 anointed christians had ceased in 1935. this teaching was especially significant to older jws (especially those who spent much of their lives serving the watchtower as pioneers, elders, missionaries, bethelites, etc.
) because many of these would eventually turn their attention to the aging governing body members and feel a sense of relief knowing that the end was drawing ever so near.
in other words, as more governing body members (who were born before 1935) passed away, the closer they would get to their long-awaited reward of surviving armageddon and living on paradise earth where they would finally hug grass-eating lions near a waterfall while marveling at snow-peaked mountains in the distance.
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77
Heavenly Gates Closed in 1935 Re-opened in 2007
by Alfred insince 1935, the watchtower had been categorically teaching (for over 6 decades) that the heavenly calling of the 144,000 anointed christians had ceased in 1935. this teaching was especially significant to older jws (especially those who spent much of their lives serving the watchtower as pioneers, elders, missionaries, bethelites, etc.
) because many of these would eventually turn their attention to the aging governing body members and feel a sense of relief knowing that the end was drawing ever so near.
in other words, as more governing body members (who were born before 1935) passed away, the closer they would get to their long-awaited reward of surviving armageddon and living on paradise earth where they would finally hug grass-eating lions near a waterfall while marveling at snow-peaked mountains in the distance.
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Alfred
re-post with larger font (sorry)
Since 1935, the Watchtower had been categorically teaching (for over 6 decades) that the heavenly calling of the 144,000 anointed Christians had ceased in 1935. This teaching was especially significant to older JWs (especially those who spent much of their lives serving the Watchtower as pioneers, elders, missionaries, bethelites, etc.) because many of these would eventually turn their attention to the aging Governing Body members and feel a sense of relief knowing that the end was drawing ever so near. In other words, as more Governing Body members (who were born before 1935) passed away, the closer they would get to their long-awaited reward of surviving Armageddon and living on Paradise Earth where they would finally hug grass-eating lions near a waterfall while marveling at snow-peaked mountains in the distance. It was pretty much a given… No more GB members born before 1935 = Paradise.
But as the 90’s came to a close, the Watchtower was forced to start putting the brakes on this “1935” doctrine as they lost Frederick Franz, George Gangas, John Booth and William Loyd Barry between 1992 and 1999. What were they to do with only 8 remaining members who were born before 1935? Press on, of course.
In fact, I remember 1999 all too well as the year of much expectation since the Watchtower (March 1, 1984 page 19 paragraph 12) indicated that Armageddon would arrive much sooner than the turn of the century. This was followed by two re-affirming articles in the May 15, 1984 Watchtower. But what were they to do with less than a year remaining before the year 2000 (hence, Armageddon)? Press on, of course.
Needless to say, Y2K came and went uneventfully and many were left scratching their heads. But the Governing Body decided to stick with their “1935 Heavenly Gate Closure” doctrine as they still had plenty of members on the GB who were born before that year. In fact, the Watchtower May 15, 2001 page 15 was yet another reminder that they fully intended to stick with this doctrine for as long as they deemed necessary. However, with the deaths of 6 more Governing Body members between 2001 and 2007 (Klein, Swingle, Henschel, Sydlic, Schroeder and Barber), they simply could not hold on to this lie any longer without looking like fools. So, in 2007, with only 2 members on the body born before 1935 (John Barr & Theodore Jaracz, both dying 3 years later), they were finally forced to quietly do away with this false doctrine in a “Questions from Readers” article of the May 1, 2007 Watchtower. As expected, however, the rank and file were mostly oblivious to this situation and simply accepted it as “New Light” from Jehovah.
So, after 71 years, the Watchtower was forced to “re-open” the Heavenly Gates in 2007 for any other delusional JWs who may eventually feel that they are part of a special class of Christians. And all of this was possible thanks to Proverbs 4:18 (their universal “get-out-of-embarrassment-free” card). That being said, I firmly believe that the next major change they will be forced to make is with regards to the number 144,000 being only a symbolic number. This along with the “overlapping generations” teaching should buy the Watchtower at least 50 more years which is plenty of time to brainstorm a new self-preservation strategy while re-grouping in their brand new facilities in upstate New York.
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77
Heavenly Gates Closed in 1935 Re-opened in 2007
by Alfred insince 1935, the watchtower had been categorically teaching (for over 6 decades) that the heavenly calling of the 144,000 anointed christians had ceased in 1935. this teaching was especially significant to older jws (especially those who spent much of their lives serving the watchtower as pioneers, elders, missionaries, bethelites, etc.
) because many of these would eventually turn their attention to the aging governing body members and feel a sense of relief knowing that the end was drawing ever so near.
in other words, as more governing body members (who were born before 1935) passed away, the closer they would get to their long-awaited reward of surviving armageddon and living on paradise earth where they would finally hug grass-eating lions near a waterfall while marveling at snow-peaked mountains in the distance.
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Alfred
Since 1935, the Watchtower had been categorically teaching (for over 6 decades) that the heavenly calling of the 144,000 anointed Christians had ceased in 1935. This teaching was especially significant to older JWs (especially those who spent much of their lives serving the Watchtower as pioneers, elders, missionaries, bethelites, etc.) because many of these would eventually turn their attention to the aging Governing Body members and feel a sense of relief knowing that the end was drawing ever so near. In other words, as more Governing Body members (who were born before 1935) passed away, the closer they would get to their long-awaited reward of surviving Armageddon and living on Paradise Earth where they would finally hug grass-eating lions near a waterfall while marveling at snow-peaked mountains in the distance. It was pretty much a given… No more GB members born before 1935 = Paradise.
But as the 90’s came to a close, the Watchtower was forced to start putting the brakes on this “1935” doctrine as they lost Frederick Franz, George Gangas, John Booth and William Loyd Barry between 1992 and 1999. What were they to do with only 8 remaining members who were born before 1935? Press on, of course.
In fact, I remember 1999 all too well as the year of much expectation since the Watchtower (March 1, 1984 page 19 paragraph 12) indicated that Armageddon would arrive much sooner than the turn of the century. This was followed by two re-affirming articles in the May 15, 1984 Watchtower. But what were they to do with less than a year remaining before the year 2000 (hence, Armageddon)? Press on, of course.
Needless to say, Y2K came and went uneventfully and many were left scratching their heads. But the Governing Body decided to stick with their “1935 Heavenly Gate Closure” doctrine as they still had plenty of members on the GB who were born before that year. In fact, the Watchtower May 15, 2001 page 15 was yet another reminder that they fully intended to stick with this doctrine for as long as they deemed necessary. However, with the deaths of 6 more Governing Body members between 2001 and 2007 (Klein, Swingle, Henschel, Sydlic, Schroeder and Barber), they simply could not hold on to this lie any longer without looking like fools. So, in 2007, with only 2 members on the body born before 1935 (John Barr & Theodore Jaracz, both dying 3 years later), they were finally forced to quietly do away with this false doctrine in a “Questions from Readers” article of the May 1, 2007 Watchtower. As expected, however, the rank and file were mostly oblivious to this situation and simply accepted it as “New Light” from Jehovah.
So, after 71 years, the Watchtower was forced to “re-open” the Heavenly Gates in 2007 for any other delusional JWs who may eventually feel that they are part of a special class of Christians. And all of this was possible thanks to Proverbs 4:18 (their universal “get-out-of-embarrassment-free” card). That being said, I firmly believe that the next major change they will be forced to make is with regards to the number 144,000 being only a symbolic number. This along with the “overlapping generations” teaching should buy the Watchtower at least 50 more years which is plenty of time to brainstorm a new self-preservation strategy while re-grouping in their brand new facilities in upstate New York.
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JW's are the slowest walkers in the world
by Unclepenn1 inthat's all i wanted to say.
you can always spot them by the 'less than 1/2 miles per hour' they stroll down the street.
salvation by the hour.
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Alfred
This was posted 9 years ago! And I'm willing to bet that JWs are walking even slower today than back then... I noticed this last Saturday while running some errands... a group of 3 pairs of depressed-looking JWs walking slighly faster than a turtle... It was unbelievable and sad...
I guess the so-called "life saving message" really isn't that urgent after all...
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They have been caught as liars either way they go now...
by Aussie Oz ini was talking to my daughter yesterday about the wt and the wwc case in victoria and i explained this to her..... for well over a hundred years the wt/ jws have been declaring the fds to be a real tangible person/s.
a body of christians, the remaining ones of the 144,000...etc etc.
(we all know the story).
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Alfred
If their non-baptized lawyers, it's perfectly fine...
If they are baptized, then they'll just pull this old Witchtower rag out of their asses in a Special Assembly or some Kingdom Ministry and everything will be just fine...
Remember that there was war then. The enemies did not deserve to learn the truth to the hurt or endangerment of Jehovah’s servants. In wartime it is proper to misdirect the wolfish enemy. -Watchtower February 1, 1956 page 80 paragraph 19
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WT Flip-Flops on Jesus Inspection Was it in 1918 or 1919?... Did the WT PASS or FAIL?
by Alfred inthis is utterly ridiculous.... .
the more i research this particular subject, the more flip-flops i uncover.
it seems the fds cant even make up their minds regarding what happened in 1918 (or should i say 1919?).
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Alfred
Thanks Mad, TAI and 00DAD...
Ding... you're so right... I found out the hard way that most JWs only want to hear what makes them feel warm and fuzzy inside... they really don't wan't to hear that they've possibly wasted 20, 30 or 40 years of their life. Last year, I started to talk to my JW mother (baptized in 1973) about the things I've discovered in my research... but then I realized that, at this stage in her life, it would be cruel of me to persist and possibly shatter her dreams which would destroy her to the core... so I am completely silent with her on where I stand and we have a mutual understanding that we not discuss religous matters any more... I think it's for the best...
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DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THIS?
by lola-rabbit indose anyone remember this issue?
i remember i was 18 when i read this, being a youth myself i put myself in their shoes and i was so sad and angry.
their short lives were stolen.
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Alfred
yes... i remember offering the watchtower and tossing this awakw mag... i should have kept a copy...
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WT Flip-Flops on Jesus Inspection Was it in 1918 or 1919?... Did the WT PASS or FAIL?
by Alfred inthis is utterly ridiculous.... .
the more i research this particular subject, the more flip-flops i uncover.
it seems the fds cant even make up their minds regarding what happened in 1918 (or should i say 1919?).
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Alfred
my pleasure...
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79
WT Flip-Flops on Jesus Inspection Was it in 1918 or 1919?... Did the WT PASS or FAIL?
by Alfred inthis is utterly ridiculous.... .
the more i research this particular subject, the more flip-flops i uncover.
it seems the fds cant even make up their minds regarding what happened in 1918 (or should i say 1919?).
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Alfred
00DAD… I have cut-pasted the actual text I read to draw my conclusions. Of course, everyone is free to draw their own conclusions but I think the actual texts speak for themselves…
Watchtower May 15, 1951 page 303
Inspection year : 1918 Result: Failed Inspection
Actual text: During the years of the first world war, 1914 to 1918, the remnant of spiritual Israel came under Jehovah’s displeasure . His kingdom by his Christ had been born in the heavens in 1914, at the end of the “appointed times of the nations” that year; but, under the great stress of persecution, oppression and international opposition during those war years reaching a climax in 1918, God’s anointed witnesses failed and their organization experienced a breakup and they came under captivity to the world system of modern Babylon.
Watchtower November 1,1955 page 633
Inspection year : 1918 Result: Passed Inspection
Actual Text: Since coming into his kingdom in 1914 and since coming to the temple in 1918 for the judgment first of the “house of God,” he has found this remnant of dedicated, anointed Christians doing what they were appointed to do . So he has done to them what he promised: “Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings.”—Matt. 24:45-47, NW.
Watchtower January 15, 1960 page 47
Inspection year : 1918 Result: Passed Inspection
Actual Text: This slave is quite unlike the watchmen of Christendom that love to slumber. (Isa. 56:10) The “slave ,” namely, the composite body of the remnant of Jehovah’s anointed, dedicated sons on earth today, is wide-awake to his Kingdom privileges, and diligently obeys his Master, Christ Jesus. He happily greeted the Master when he arrived in 1918 to judge professing Christians. It was at this time of inspection that the Master declared: “Well done, good and faithful slave ! You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matt. 25:21)
Watchtower February 1, 1972 page 79
Inspection year : 1918 Result: Failed Inspection
Actual text: The Naomi remnant came into a condition like that, particularly in the year 1918 , when they were, in a sense, exiled from Jehovah God’s favor. In that year Jehovah God came to his temple suddenly, accompanied by the messenger of the covenant, the Lord Jesus Christ. He examined the remnant here upon earth; he was displeased with them . (Mal. 3:1, 2) For a time they were not fully accepting the challenge of Jehovah’s Kingdom service that had opened up to them. They were holding back, through fear of man and were not properly keeping themselves “unspotted from the world.” (Jas. 1:27, Authorized Version) Therefore Jehovah let them go into bondage to Babylon the Great and her political associates.
God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached (1973) page 231
Inspection year : 1919 Result: Failed Inspection
Actual Text: The parable of the “talents” pictured that when the traveler returned from abroad he would settle accounts with them. This meant an inspection of them. Quite logically, with that turn of events in the spring of 1919, it would be the due time for the heavenly “master of those slaves” to inspect them . But what account could they render with respect to his “talents” that had been committed to the slave class? Any increase that they may have gained prior to the climax of wartime persecution in 1918 seemed to have been wiped out . They were as if they had no figurative “talents” in their possession at all .
Yearbook 1975 page 87
Inspection year : 1918 Result: FailedInspection
Actual Text: Jehovah and his “messenger of the covenant,” Jesus Christ, came to inspect the spiritual temple in 1918 C.E. Judgment then began with the “house of God” and a period of refining and cleansing commenced .
Watchtower September 15, 1983 page 20
Inspection year : 1919 Result: Passed Inspection
Actual Text: Since the “master” found the remaining ones of this body faithfully and discreetly giving out “food supplies” when he arrived for inspection in 1919 , he appointed them “over all his belongings.”
Watchtower March 15, 1990 page 14
Inspection year : 1918 Result: Passed Inspection
Actual Text: In 1918, when Jesus Christ inspected those claiming to be his slaves, he found an international group of Christians publishing Bible truths for use both inside the congregation and outside in the preaching work.
Watchtower May 1, 1993 page 17
Inspection year : 1918 Result: Passed Inspection
Actual Text: From the time Christ’s presence began and down to 1918, the slave class , despite unpopularity, persecution, and even some confusion, had been seeking to give timely food to the domestics . This is what the Master found when his inspection began .
Isaiah’s Prophecy II (2001) page 396
Inspection year : 1918 Result: Failed Inspection
Actual Text: In the modern-day fulfillment of these prophecies, there was an important spiritual development in 1918 in connection with Jehovah’s worship. Jehovah and Jesus evidently made an inspection of all of those claiming to represent pure worship. That inspection led to the final casting off of corrupt Christendom. For Christ’s anointed followers , the inspection meant a brief period of refinement followed by a swift spiritual restoration in 1919.—1 Peter 4:17.
Watchtower March 1, 2004 page 17
Inspection year : 1918 & 1919 Result: Passed Inspection
Actual Text: Of course, the majority of those who were to become Christ’s anointed slaves during the time of the end were not yet serving Jehovah when Jesus began his inspection in 1918. Did they miss out on the inspection? Not at all. The inspection process only began in 1918/19 when the faithful and discreet slave as a class passed the test.
Watchtower January 15, 2008 page 24
Inspection year : 1918 Result: Passed Inspection
Actual Text: When Christ inspected the “slave” in 1918, he found those anointed ones on earth to be faithful in providing spiritual “food at the proper time .” Hence, Jesus, the Master, was pleased thereafter to appoint them “over all his belongings.” (Read Matthew 24:45-47.)
Note: Regarding the references above where the Watchtower failed Jesus' inspection, it’s important to keep in mind that no “refinement” or “cleansing” o even “displeasure from Jehovah” is even remotely mentioned in the references where the Watchtower is shown to have passed this so-called inspection (by supposedly “publishing Bible Truths” or “doing what they were appointed to do”).
The whole point of this thread is to simply show any lurkers out there that the so-called “Faithful & Discreet Slave” has a very long history of making things up as they go along. In fact, there is absolutely no Biblical basis for this whole concocted notion that the WT was somehow chosen after a divine examination of all religious denominations
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Some pretty blatant stuff coming up in bookstudy
by agent zero inso i was reading ahead in the bookstudy book "bearing thorough witness" about god's kingdom, and i came upon some shockingly direct damage control on behalf of the gb in the material for the upcoming weeks.. on page 104: what a privilege it is to be instructed and molded by our patient and kind heavenly father!
the results are always good and always to our advantage.
so let us never proudly push ahead with our own ideas or react negatively to organizational changes or to adjusted explanations of certain scriptures.
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Alfred
how do we know the governing body "strictly follows god's word" and also "prove themselves trustworthy"?
because the governing body says so.
and how do we know they're telling us the truth?
because they're the governing body.
and how do we know they're the governing body?
because they strictly follow god's word and have proven themselves trustworthy.
(now go back to the question on top and start all over again)