truth.
of this present system of things,
of this present wicked system.
Hello stillajwexelder,
thanks for your nice words.
Concerning the quote of " ....1989/1990 WT I think that was
changed in the bound volume which said the preaching work
would be finished by the end of the century?"
the answer is : 'The Watchtower ' January 1st 1989, page 12
The WTBS Inc. changed , in the bound volume, the word
'20th century ' with ' our day '!
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
truth.
of this present system of things,
of this present wicked system.
Hello Elsewhere,
just to congratulate you!
Excellent, logical conclusion to the matter!
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
truth.
of this present system of things,
of this present wicked system.
Hello jst2laws,
these few lines to thank you for the appreciative remarks.
Thanks also for deleting the 'other' post. Surely it 'll help
to avoid confusion.
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
P.S. I do take this opportunity to thank the 'kind' friend
who , recently sent, to one of my european addresses
a nice CD - JW's and 'Triumphant Kingdom'by Marley Cole.
Unfortunately 'Faith on the March' cannot be read, but I've
already in another CD. Thanks again,
truth.
of this present system of things,
of this present wicked system.
Hello to everyone,
please , do accept my apologies for the error in sending the topic.
I don't really know how it worked, ...I'm really sorry.
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
truth.
of this present system of things,
of this present wicked system.
Hello everyone,
After a long spell, away from the this board, for a variety of reason,
I?m back, first of all to thank you for all the nice, interesting and
very useful posts . So Here belo w my latest contribution, revised and updated
To start, as usual?. two reminders of the WTBS Inc. claims :.
I** w94 1/1 20 The Watchtower and Awake!-Timely Journals of Truth Magazines That Advocate Truth
3 Jehovah is the God of truth. (Psalm 31:5) His Word, the Bible, is a book of truth. (John 17:17) Honesthearted people respond to truth. (Compare John 4:23, 24.) One reason that TheWatchtower and Awake! have touched the hearts of millions of readers is that they are journals of integrity and truth . In fact, it was over the issue of loyalty to Bible truth that TheWatchtower began to be published."
and II
"The Watchtower" May, 1 st , 2002 page 16, paragraph 9 )
"Comparably, for more than a century now, the anointed brothers of Christ, those with the heavenly hope, have served as " a holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God."
(1 Peter 2:5)
They have taken the lead in dispensing Bible truths
to others. As you have learned truths that they teach, have you not found from experience that the very law of truth has proved to be in their mouth? They have helped to turn many back from religious error, so that now ther are millions throughout the world who have learned Bible truths and who have the hope of everlasting life.
These, in turn, have the privilege of teaching the law of truth to yet other millions.- John 10:16; Revelation 7:9 .-"
Here below some WTBS Inc.'s quotes, " Bible truths " concerning the ?.famous "? time of the end"
Let?s begin :
*w 1950 1/15 22 Who Will Share in the Final Witness? ***
MEN say that history repeats itself. The history of past divine warnings and executed judgments will, for God's Word says that "it all happened to them by way of warning for others, and it was written down for the purpose of instructing us whose lot has been cast in the closing hours of the world" . (1 Cor. 10:11, Moffatt)
* *w 1950 8/1 p. 227 Serving with the Servant ***
And what is of more immediate concern, that royal Spouse has revealed to them that during this world's syntéleia and before completing their earthly course the sign of his favor toward them would be marked by his entrusting them with special Kingdom responsibilities. Such Kingdom interests must be guarded, watched and increased amid the turbulence of this world's closing years. Nor would any human or demon attraction or the confused events occurring in these fateful days succeed in diverting the faithful stewards from their service.
*w 1958 8/1 464 Calling the Members of the Kingdom of Heaven ***
When Jesus, as a conclusion to his parable, warningly says: "For there are many invited, but few chosen," this shows that many more have been called than 144,000, the number finally united with Christ Jesus in heaven. If any of the remnant now in attendance at the room for the wedding ceremonies fall out for failure to keep on the wedding garment, others will be brought in by the King to take their places. Seeing that we are now in the closing years of this present system of things, that process may be about completed.
*w 1968 8/15/1968 pages 499-501
This is, therefore, no time to be indifferent and complacent. This is not the time to be toying with the words of Jesus that 'concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.' To the contrary, it is a time when one should be keenly aware that the end of this system of things is rapidly coming to its violent end . ".
*1971 book "The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah"-How? * *** kj 216-7 12 "Until He Comes Who Has the Legal Right" **
JEHOVAH?S ?SWORD? AGAINST ?ALL THOSE OF FLESH?
9 Shortly, within our twentieth century , the ?battle in the day of Jehovah? will begin against the modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom. The ancient ?soil of Israel? pictures the realm in which Christendom has operated. It pictures the standing and relationship that Christendom has claimed to occupy with God by means of his ?new covenant? of which Jesus Christ is the mediator. Now is no time for anyone in Christendom to rely on any righteousness on the basis of his own merits and to boast of his own self-righteousness."
*w 1971 9/15 570-1 God Wisely Selects Earth's Rulers ***
Bible prophecy foretold that Christ would take Kingdom power while the worldly nations were still active. (Ps. 2:1-6; 110:1, 2) On taking Kingdom power, he would give early attention to those of the 144,000 who had died. Then he would proceed to gather together all his prospective Kingdom associates on earth, called a 'remnant,' for testing and final approval. (1 Thess. 4:16, 17; Rev. 12:10, 17) World conditions in fulfillment of prophecy indicate that we are in the closing days of this gathering, called the "harvest." With its completion and the destruction of the present wicked system and its administration, Christ and his associate kings and priests will begin the thousand-year reign for the blessing of mankind.-Matt. 13:37-40; Rev. 11:18; 19:19-21; 20:1-4, 6.
*g 1973 11/8 p. 6 Why You Should Be Concerned ***
Why? Because in so many areas human failure is not just a 'passing phase. It is direct evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy showing that we are living in the closing years of this wicked system of things. Long ago the Bible foretold of our generation that "wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled." (2 Tim. 3:13)
*w 1993 4/1 p. 18 Who Are Following the Light of the World? ***
Urgent to Follow the Light
19 Now, in the final years of this evil system, it is urgent to follow the light of the world. And we need to be on guard, for there is an intense war being waged to keep us from walking in the light. This opposition comes from the powers of darkness-from Satan, his demons, and his earthly organization.
*w 1994 4/15 p. 10 Helpful Teaching for Our Critical Times ***
Many now living were eyewitnesses to World War I when this modern fulfillment began. But even if you were born after 1914, you have witnessed Jesus' prophecy coming to pass. The events of this 20th century overwhelmingly prove that we are now living in the conclusion of this present wicked system.
*w 1994 9/1 p. 13 Despite Being Made of Dust, Push Ahead! **
20 Now, during the concluding years of Satan's world system, is not the time to slow down-not as far as Kingdom preaching is concerned and not as far as developing more fully the fruitage of God's spirit is concerned. «
Suddenly after the « generation?s change in 1995 , the ?tune ? changes also :
*w 1997 8/15 p. 22 "Soundness of Mind" as the End Draws Close ***
21 How much time is left remaining we do not know. Yet, we can say with confidence that " the end of all things has drawn close ." Until that end comes, let us live with "soundness of mind" in our dealings with one another, in the way we care for our families, and in our secular responsibilities
*w 1998 1/1 p. 11 Do Not Give Up in the Race for Life! ***
20 Today, we know that another great "day of Jehovah" will soon affect this whole system of things. (Joel 3:12-14) We do not know when that day will come. But God's Word assures us that come it will! Jehovah says it will not be late. (Habakkuk 2:3; 2 Peter 3:9, 10)
Unfortunately, by September 1998,?it?s back again, to the same ? tune :
*w 1998 9/15 p. 13 Times and Seasons in Jehovah's Hands ***
We too are convinced that our deliverance from the present wicked system of things is approaching. We know that we are living in "the last days." (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
*w 1998 8/15 19 Strengthening Our Confidence in God's Righteousness
In the near future, the greatest time of tribulation ever to strike the human race will break forth suddenly. (Matthew 24:21) When it does, servants of God will need as never before to display confidence in Jehovah?s righteousness and in the direction provided by his organization. In a symbolic way, they will then confidently obey God?s injunction: "Go, my people, enter into your interior rooms, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for but a moment until the denunciation passes over." (Isaiah 26:20) .-
*w 1998 9/15 pp. 18-19 Waiting in "Eager Expectation" ***
Their faith does not need to be propped up by time calculations. They keep busy in Jehovah's service, providing a wonderful example for their companions, the "other sheep." (John 10:16) These anointed ones know that this wicked system's end is near, and they heed Peter's exhortation: "Brace up your minds for activity, keep your senses completely; set your hope upon the undeserved kindness that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."-1 Peter 1:13.
*w 1999 4/1 p. 19 Life After Death-What Does the Bible Say? ***
21 The fulfillment of Bible prophecy shows that we are living in "the last days" of this system of things. (2 Timothy 3:1) Very soon now , Jehovah God is going to intervene in human affairs and wipe out wickedness from the earth."
*w 2000 12/1 p. 18 Do You Love Jehovah's Reminders Exceedingly? **
Since we are living deep in the last days of this wicked system of things, let us keep praying for divine help so that we can continue to observe Jehovah's reminders and thus 'keep on guard according to his word.'-Psalm 119:9."
*w 2001 3/1 p. 21 Salvation for Those Who Choose the Light ***
17 Today, the "interior rooms" of the prophecy likely have to do with the tens of thousands of congregations of Jehovah's people around the world. Such congregations are a protection even now, a place where Christians find safety among their brothers, under the loving care of the elders. (Isaiah 32:1, 2; Hebrews 10:24, 25) This is especially true in view of the nearness of the end of this system of things when survival will depend on obedience.-Zephaniah 2:3.
*w 2001 5/15 p. 12 Praise Jehovah for His Great Deeds! ***
To shine forth in giving a final witness before Jehovah brings an end to Satan's wicked system of things in the rapidly approaching "great tribulation."-Matthew 24:21; Daniel 12:3; Revelation 7:14.
*w 2001 6/15 p. 12 Look After Orphans and Widows in Their Tribulation ***
As the end of the present system of things gets closer, the pressures that Christians in general face are certain to increase. (Matthew 24:9-13)
*w 2001 8/15 p. 28 Do Not Give Up in Doing What Is Fine ***
Faith in the Things Unseen
11 Another trial may involve the seeming delay of the end of this wicked system of things. According to 2 Peter 3:12, Christians are to be "awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah." However, many have awaited this "day" for years, some for decades. As a result, some may become discouraged and lose their sense of urgency.
*w 2001 8/15 p. 32 Certificate of Excellence ***
Each issue of Awake! "stays politically neutral and does not exalt one race above another." Additionally, the publications build "confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things."
*w 2001 11/15 p. 12 Jehovah Shows Us How to Count Our Days ***
« Yes, our life is as transitory as grass that withers in a single day. Therefore, let us not waste this precious commodity. Instead, we should seek God's guidance on how we ought to use our remaining years in this system of things. «
*w 2001 11/15 p. 31 Noah's Faith Condemns the World ***
« Like Noah, true Christians today know that Jehovah will soon bring an end to this godless system of things. We do not know that day or hour , but we realize that imitating the faith and obedience of this "preacher of righteousness" will result in "the preserving alive of the soul."-Hebrews 10:36-39.".-
*2003 km March 2003 page 6 , paragraph 25 subheading: "Take full advantage of the time remaining "
Today all the evidence indicates that the end of the present global system of things is at end. Day by day our pattern of life should reflect that conviction. As zealous servants of Jehovah, we should be focused on the urgent work of declaring the good news.- Titus 2:13,14 ."
*yb 2003 " A Letter from the Governing Body " page 5, paragraph 1 :
"We face similar situation today. As we approach the destruction of this wicked system, we expect increased opposition. Satan is filled with "great anger", and that anger is especially directed against those who serve God (Rev.12:12) "
*w 2003 September 15 th 2003 p.25
?Expectation postponed is making the heart sick,? Solomon states, ? but the thing desired is a tree of life when it does come.? (proverbs 13:12) Unfulfilled expectation are bound to lead to disappointments that make the heart sick. This happens in everyday life. However, this is not the case with the expectations that are solidly based on god?s Word. We can have complete confidence that they will be fulfilled. Even apparent delays are less likely to be disappointing. For example , we know that God?s new world is imminent. (2 Peter 3;13)
*w 2003 December 1st, page 13 § 17 « Yes, we can confidently
look forward to the time - now so near - when Jehovah will eradicate from the earth all the corruption and those who are responsible for it ».
*w 2003 December 1st, page 13 § 18 « Just a little while longer
and the wicked one will be no more ; and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be »(Psalm 37 :10) How these words encourage us as we approach the end of this system of things and the culmination of disastrous independence from Jehovah ! Whatever kind of government or authority has been devised by man has failed miserably. And now we are nearing the time for a return to rule by God, true theocracy, the Kingdom of Jehovah in the end of Jesus
Christ? »
*w 2003 December 15th, 2003 page 15 §§6-8
Our Watchfulness Takes On Greater Urgency
6 In Noah?s day, Jehovah declared: ?My spirit shall not act toward man indefinitely in that he is also flesh. Accordingly his days shall amount to a hundred and twenty years.? (Genesis 6:3) The issuance of this divine decree in 2490 B.C.E. marked the beginning of the end for that ungodly world. Just think what that meant for those then living! Only 120 years more and Jehovah would bring ?the deluge of waters upon the earth to bring to ruin all flesh in which the force of life is active from under the heavens.? - Genesis 6:17
7 Noah received the warning of the upcoming catastrophe decades in advance, and he wisely used the time to prepare for survival. ?After being given divine warning of things not yet beheld.? Says the apostle Paul, ?[Noah] showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the salvation of his household.? (Hebrews 11:7) What about us? Some 90 years have passed since the last days of this system of things began in 1914. We are certainly in ?the time of the end.? (Daniel 12:4) How should we respond to warnings we have been given? ?He that does the will of God remains forever,? states the Bible. (1 John 2:17) Now is therefore the time to do Jehovah?s will with a keen sense of urgency.
9 Jehovah has kept these warnings in front of his people by means of timely reminders through the spiritual food provided by ?the faithful and discrete slave.? ?
21Although the Flood seems remote from our day, it clearly provides a warning that we must not ignore?. »
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Finally, please do remember that it was the same WTBS Inc., that recently wrote ,in the same magazine:
"("The Watchtower" May, 1 st , 2002 page 16, paragraph 10)
" It would be easy to develop the habit of couching one's words in terms that are technically accurate but misleading. Or one might exaggerate or hide details in a business matter. Would Jehovah not see that? And if we followed such practices, would he accept sacrifices of praise from our lips? «
I do hope that you?ve liked the ?short trip.
J.C.MacHislopp
" Augescunt aliae gentes, aliae minuuntur; inque brevi spatio mutantur saecia animantum et quasi cursores vitae lampada tradunt." (Lucretius, De Rerum Natura)
review comments will be in black and parentheses ()
red
we keep in mind peter's words: "it when you are doing good and you suffer, you endure it, this is a thing agreeable with god.
Hello Blondie,
sorry for the ...mistake.
But many thanks again for your piece of work.
Just brilliant as usual, pertinent to the subject and with
many quotes.
I do agree that this time the WTBS has not even bothered
to count the thousands and thousands of lifes, lost ...for nothing
absolutely nothing but their own ...rules and regulations passed
on to the R&F as if they were coming from God and Jesus
Christ.
All empty speech so well unmasked by your comments .
Thanks again and I'm sure that many do really appreciate your
hard work in preparation and research.
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
'The truth can never be hurt by a lie, but a lie can be exposed by the truth.'
review comments will be in black and parentheses ()
red
we keep in mind peter's words: "it when you are doing good and you suffer, you endure it, this is a thing agreeable with god.
Hello Blondie,
a fter having read part of the 2003 wtbs inc.'s yearly report,
most of the remnant are quite elderly, and over the years the number of those who are truly anointed has been getting smaller.
- from 1940 until 1971, we have a difference of 17,236 anointed remnant '...who have fallen asleep in death..." and for the
Hello everyone,
a fter having read part of the 2003 WTBS Inc.'s yearly report,
I couldn't help to come to the conclusion that the 'anointed
remnant' do show over a time period extending many decades ... all the signs of the 'Methuselah' syndrome' i.e.
an extraordinary, exceptional longevity, far beyond the average, ordinary human creature . (Gen. 5:27)
Contemporary English Version CEV
".... 27 and died at the age of nine hundred sixty-nine. "
To be more clear I have no alternative but to dig out a
Watchtower 's article published , very recently, in the year 2000.
*** w00 1/15 p. 12 ?Keep on the Watch? ***
12 Note that Peter also said: ?The end of all things has drawn close.? How close? There is no way for humans to pinpoint the exact day and hour. (Matthew 24:36) But there is a difference between indulging in speculation, which the Bible does not encourage, and keeping in expectation of the end, which it does encourage. (Compare 2 Timothy 4:3, 4; Titus 3:9.) What is one way that we can keep in expectation of the end? It is by paying close attention to the evidence that the end is near. Let us therefore review six lines of evidence proving that we are living in the last days of this ungodly world."
"Sixth, the number of genuine anointed disciples of Christ is dwindling, though some will evidently still be on earth when the great tribulation begins.
Most of the remnant are quite elderly, and over the years the number of those who are truly anointed has been getting smaller. Yet, referring to the great tribulation , Jesus stated:" Unless those days were cut short , no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short."(Matthew 24:21,22) Evidently , then, some of Christ's "chosen ones" will still be on earth when the great tribulation begins.*
*In the parable of the sheep and the goats. This standard for judgement would be meaningless if at the time of judgement, all of Christ's brothers had long since left the earthly scene.- Matthew 25:31-46
With the above statement in mind, I?ll make some calculations, using the WTBS Inc's figures.
*By selecting the difference in the number of 'anointed remnant'
in a given 10 years period we do have this:
1940 (a.r.27,620 ) 1950 (a.r. 22,723) diff. - 4,897
1950 (a.r. 22,723) 1960 (a.r. 13,911) diff. - 8,812
1961 (a.r. 13,284) 1971 (a.r. 10,384) diff. - 2,900
1972 (a.r. 10,350) 1982 (a.r. 9,601) diff. - 749
1983 (a.r. 9,529 ) 1993 (a.r. 8,693) diff. - 836
1994 (a.r. 8,617 ) 2003 (a.r. 8,565) diff. - 52
In few words for the first 31 years' period - from 1940 until 1971, we have a difference of 17,236 anointed remnant '...who have fallen asleep in death..." and for the second period of 31 years - from 1972 to 2003, we have
a difference of 1,785 anointed remnant ' ...who have fallen asleep in death..." .
Which it means that , as the years go by, the number of anointed remnant who
"...falls asleep in death" decreases or if you prefer...they live much, much longer!
So if the above trend were to continue, we could expect a very small number of
'...anointed remnant' ...falling asleep in death, in the next 10 years.
Furthermore the above quoted Watchtower, stated, quite clearly :
"Evidently , then, some of Christ's "chosen ones"
will still be on earth when the great tribulation begins.."
What does it mean, then "... some of Christ's "chosen ones"?
How many...1,000, 2,000, 3,000, ...?
And how long , by the actual yearly rate , will it take to reach...that
unspoecified number?
Because even by doubling the last 10 years' rate, at 104/year it will take
82.35 years ... for all the 'anointed remnant ' to fall asleep in death.
Or even by trebling the last 10 years rate , at 156/year, it will take
54.90 years...for all the ' anointed remnant ' to fall asleep in death.
Of course the mighty WTBS Inc. wrote:
"....the number of genuine anointed disciples of Christ.."
and also :
" the number of those who are truly anointed ..."
I'm sure that this 'wording ' was deliberate with the aim to cast serious doubts over the claims of the 8,661 'anointed remnant'
who partook of the emblems at the Memorial in the year 2000.
Yet the WTBS Inc. still wrote, concerning the "anointed " that:
"... .the number of genuine anointed disciples of Christ is dwindling,..."
and :
" Most of the remnant are quite elderly, and over the years the number of those who are truly anointed has been getting smaller. "
So, my final question is:
*The so called ??sixth line of evidence.. ?,...is it really an evidence?
I do hope that you've enjoyed the ...ride.
" Augescunt aliae gentes, aliae minuuntur; inque brevi spatio mutantur
saecia animantum et quasi cursores vitae lampada tradunt."
(Lucretius, De Rerum Natura)
sad, isn't it?.
i especially love the statement here;.
in recent years many cases and policies have come before the courts and public involving homosexually oriented people and basic civil rights.
Hello Abaddon,
thanks for posting the topic. Quite fascinating..
including the web-link.
Interesting too the panel's composition:
"NARTH, founded in 1992, is composed of psychiatrists,
psychoanalytically informed psychologists, certified
social workers, and other behavioral scientists, as
well as laymen in fields such as law, religion, and education."
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
sorry if anyone has already posted this... the latest jw numbers are circulating for the '02-'03 service year.. lands - 235. branches - 109. average publishers - 6,184,046 (2.2% increase.).
peak publishers - 6,429,351 (2% increase).
book placements - 23,273,275 (5.6% increase).
Hello Euphemism,
thanks a lot for the rather anticipated 'news' !!!
I'm also waiting for the rest of the figures, so that I'll also
be able - as Blondie wrote -
to "see what the hidden aspects are of the numbers,
specifically, the MIAs, the difference between the i
ncrease in publishers and the number baptized.
I like to see what the hours look look like compared to
previous years, i.e., while there might be 2.2% increase, t
he average hours per publisher may have dropped. "
Thanks again and greetings,
J.C.MacHislopp
