Armageddon on hold.

 

THE END HAS COME - for the generation that saw the events of 1914.

Not the foretold end of the world though, but the end of yet another of the Watch Tower Society's definitions of what constitutes "this generation" in Matthew 24:34.

Rather than the arrival of the new world we have the arrival of a new explanation.

Most people familiar with Watch Tower literature will be aware of the masthead statement on page four of every Awake! magazine, which says;

Most importantly this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away."

But as of the 8th November 1995 issue, this statement reads;

Most importantly this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things."

So, end time events formerly anchored to the society's pivotal 1914 date have systematically been detached from that date mooring and relocated to a "date-free" tribulation period somewhere in the future.

The latest Watch Tower new light/excuse is contained in the Watchtower Magazine of November 1, 1995, and is the most significant of a number of eschatological changes made by the WT Society in recent times.

Let us look further at the latest Watch Tower Houdini-style escape.

A TWISTED AND CROOKED GENERATION

 

EIGHTY-ONE years after 1914 the Watch Tower Society has finally realised that the generation which "will by no means pass away", before Armageddon occurs, probably did a long time ago.

But, just what is the WT explanation for these changes?

After years of seemingly painting themselves into a corner, what Scriptural evidence has the society produced to support this sudden change in doctrine?

Of course, the answer, as always is absolutely nothing.

Instead we have a stream of statements brought forth straight from the Brooklyn "think-tank" in an attempt to avoid a lot of red faces.

What we need to realise is that the former statement printed on page four of the Awake! magazine is anchored to 1914, while the new statement is date free and craftily worded so as not to give the impression that the Society is hedging or backing off from Armageddon nearness (which will always be just around the corner).

The society's new position is stated in the Watchtower magazine of November 1st 1995, on page 19;

Therefore, in the final fulfilment...this generation apparently refers to people of earth who see the sign of Christ's presence."

And, in answer to a conveniently staged readers question, on page 31, it states;

In the second, larger fulfilment this generation would logically also be the contemporaneous people."

In English, what this means is that "this generation" now refers to anyone living during Christ's presence since 1914 and is no longer limited to people living during that year.

In other words, it refers to contemporary peoples of the "parousia" rather than the contemporaries of 1914 persé.

In an attempt to explain the changes and smooth over the cracks, the Society, on page 17, says;

Jehovah's people have at times speculated about the time when the Great Tribulation would break out, even tying this to calculations of what is the lifetime of a generation since 1914."

Isn't it any wonder why the governing body now says;

However, we bring a heart of wisdom in not speculating about how many years or days make up a generation."

(page 17)

   The most terrible upshot of the admitted speculation is that it has been sounded forth not as speculation, but as "God's promise" in the masthead of every Awake magazine since 1982.

The hallmark of a false prophet is to claim divine backing for what is nothing more than human speculation and guesswork.

This cap perfectly fits the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.

THE STORY SO FAR....

IN order for us to fully understand the latest change in the WT explanation of "this generation", we need to view it in its historical and evolutionary context.

Doing so will, unmistakably, reveal its sheer man made nature and carefully contrived error (Eph. 4:14).

The following documented statements are just a few in a long list of bold pronouncements by the Watch Tower Society in the past.

 

 

 

 

Before the 1914 generation completely dies out, God's judgement must be executed." WT 1/5/85

 

Most of the generation of 1914 has passed away, however, there are still millions on earth who were born in that year or prior to it...Jesus' words will come true, 'this generation will not pass away until all things have happened.'" Awake! 8/4/88

This isn't the first time the WT Society has tried to brush the 1914 generation under the carpet.

In 1987 the society removed the 1914 clause from the Awake! masthead, but had to later restore it again in order to appease the enquiries made by many concerned JWs in the rank and file.

The society has since learned to make big changes more slowly. Gradually feeding the changes in the JW mental diet, so as to lessen the chance of rejection.

As born-again believers we deplore such tactics which at best are humanly devised and, at worst, demon inspired.

We need to feel a moral responsibility to present these facts lovingly, but firmly, to our JW friends.

What further changes the JW leadership will make remains to be seen. Our prayer is that many more JWs will get saved from the Watch Tower's twisted and crooked generation, as Christians draw public attention to this issue.