The Watchtower Society has a long history of failed predictions and flip/flop teachings.This is rather strange considering their bold claims of having this unique “direct line” to the Almighty.
There seem to be no end to what Jehovah reveals to the guys in Brooklyn. The Watchtower magazine never tires of reminding it’s readers of this remarkable connection.
In the beginning Russell had adopted a “chronology” involving dates like 1799, the beginning of the end, 1874, Jesus parousia or invisible return, 1914, the end of this “system”.
Of course all of this was no doubt “revealed” to him by Jehovah. Naturally not any of this happened and when the guy went ahead and died in 1916, it was pretty clear, although not to his followers, that the whole thing was just fantasy.
After a power struggle over control of the ruins of the Watchtower Society, “Booze” Rutherford took over and he knew he had to get some new dates to rally interest and get the hot air machine going again, so he gave an assignment to two of his trusted men, one of them the complete lunatic Clayton J. Woodworth, to write the book, “The Finished Mystery”. Woodworth was also the editor of the Golden Age magazine.
Rutherford provided them with plenty of booze, which really explains a lot when you read the complete insane nonsense they came up with in the book.The new dates were 1918, 1920 and 1925, all of course resounding failures.
Later all this has been smoothed over and falsified and in 1964 it sounded like this:
*w64 6/15 365 - 22 As Jehovah revealed his truths by means of the first-century Christian congregation so he does today by means of the present-day Christian congregation. Through this agency he is having carried out prophesying on an intensified and unparalleled scale. All this activity is not an accident. Jehovah is the one behind all of it.
*w64 6/15 365 - 23 The holy spirit of Jehovah is working mightily today! How thankful we should be for the provision God has made of this slave class, the modern spiritual remnant, as they faithfully dispense the revealed truths of Jehovah!
After the “Millions now living” campaign that hinged upon the date 1925 had to be chalked up as another resounding failure, Rutherford went ahead and made an overhaul of Russell’s failed dates. He was able to recycle 1914, which was the end point in Russell’s fantasy chronology as it became the beginning point instead. The year 1914 now replaced both 1799 and 1874. But the main purpose was that it bought the Watchtower Society plenty of time, but alas time that is now completely spent and leaves Brooklyn in a kind of limbo.
After Brooklyn was forced by time itself to finally let the famous “1914 generation” die, they have been without any date to focus on and that’s really a great problem for a thoroughly apocalyptic sect as the Watchtower Society are.
It seems as though the new leaders are now so immersed in internal power struggles and intrigues that there is no strong central leader who has the power to come out with a new date to become a rally point that can bring some “fire” into the publishers again.
After having stretched the 1914 generation to its ultimate limit there suddenly was nothing and now they are left with the same old worn out “time is short” crap that has been peddled for a couple of thousand years by all the “end time” idiots.
So now the world class bunglers in Brooklyn stagger on burdened with a history and a legacy that demonstrates very clearly that whatever God there might be has never revealed anything whatsoever to these sorry clowns. Yet they still enjoy a following of several million more or less voluntarily ignorant people who promotes and perpetuate the idiocy.
21 comments:
"The Watchtower Society has a long history of failed predictions and flip/flop teachings."
Well, the Watchtower Society has not had a failed prediction because they have not made predictions.
And they have not had flip flop teachings.
Interpreting the Bible is not predicting.
And why do you say "Watchtower organization" when there is no such thing other than the printing companies?
Why do you worship printing companies?
Why don't you talk to Jehovah's Witnesses and get a Bible study and learn the truth?
@ronde
yes, they had flipflops.
yes, they had called themselves "prophet" and made predictions not solely basedon the bible once.
and even though they usually dont try to pull such a stunt AGAIN (after all the disappointment):
its something different to interprete the bible and tell others of the findings in the search of truth OR interprete the bible and saying someone is doomed for death @armageddon when he doesnt believe the same.
if bible interpretation is being marked as "guided by the holy spirit" and its said that everything else is false teaching this interpretation is a kind of prophecy. when the wts said that many ppl living in 1914 will never die its prophecy, because the bible says nothing like that.
i might add that im an active jehovahs witness, born in, never out of the religion. im baptized since 13 years.
ronde,
You are soooo confused.
Charles Taze Russell, who was never associated with, nor did he ever believe in the teachings of, the organization called "Jehovah's Witnesses," taught that the end of the Gentile Times was to be in 1914, based on several Bible prophecies. There was not "Jehovah's Witnesses" organization in Russell's day. That organization was formed after Russell died by Joseph Rutherford, who gained controld of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, and used that legal entity as a basis for forming his new organization. In doing so, he denied and misrepresented the main purpose for which the WTB&TS had been formed, that is, the defense of the Biblical atonement -- "the ransom for all." Rutherford replaced that basic teaching with his new teachings, such as the eternal destruction of practically everyone who disagreed with Rutherford.
Earlier in Russell's ministry, Russell did take the view that the Gentile Kingdoms would all be gone in 1914. His earlier view was that the "time of trouble" would end in 1914. Ten years before 1914, however, in 1904, he began to realize that 1914 was to be the beginning, not the end, of the time of trouble. Thus, after 1904, Russell was not expecting the end of this present age in 1914.
Russell never claimed to be a prophet, nor did he ever claim any direct revelation from God. His claim was that he was a student of Bible prophecy.
"Our own views are not prophecy, but interpretations of the holy prophets of old." (Watch Tower, October 1890, page 8)
"Neither must you lean upon the DAWN and the TOWER as infallible teachers. If it was proper for the early Christians to prove what they received from the apostles, who were and who claimed to be inspired, how much more important it is that you fully satisfy yourself that these teachings keep closely within their outline instructions and those of our Lord; -- since their author claims no inspiration, but merely the guidance of the Lord, as one used of him in feeding his flock." ("The Watch Tower", June, 1893)
"We are not prophesying; we are merely giving our surmises, the Scriptural basis for which is already in the hands of our readers in the six volumes of SCRIPTURE STUDIES." (Watch Tower, January 1, 1908, page 5).
"I am not a prophet." (What Pastor Russell Said, Q272:1, 1910)
http://ctr.reslight.net
Christian love,
Ronald
GBLetters said:
"Yes, they had flipflops."
So what about them? We know they are not the messiah. And who is this infamous "them" anyway.
Names.
"yes, they had called themselves "prophet" and made predictions not solely basedon the bible once."
Ditto above.
Oh, made predictions, once. again you have nothing.
It does not matter what this infamous "them" did.
GBLetters said:
"i might add that im an active jehovahs witness, born in, never out of the religion. im baptized since 13 years."
No, you are anonymous.
If you were one of Jehovah's Witnesses, you would be serving with me as one.
And you would recognize that we do not serve the governing body.
ronde, you're beginning to sound like you're totally off your rocker (i.e you've gone doolally). I am a demon writing this, and I tell you you have lost Jehovah's favour, as you insist on disobeying his faithful and discreet slave...
Oh, I'll stop now. I'm having too much fun with this..
Hey Ronde
So which one of the at least four explanations of the 'generation' prophecy do you believe? The one from 1927, the one that was there for decades(forget when it started) and was changed in 1995 for yet another one, or the new one brought in just this year. Or do you have one of your own as an unorthodox JW?
Unless you believe the NEW one you are an apostate,'pushing ahead' or not relying on Jehovah's channel to tell you what to believe. This thinking, if voiced, is a serious sin and subject to disfellowshipping if you are not repentant and tow the party line...the line set forth in clear terms by ....yes...the GOVERNING BODY.
Funny how being a JW always leads back to being obedient to 'mother' no matter how much noise you make on here to the contrary.
What power struggles and intrigues???? Is this like Clue? We have to guess who did what, when and where....or are you going to actually be forthcoming with your secret information?
Steve said:
"So which one of the at least four explanations of the 'generation' prophecy do you believe? "
I believe that they all are the same.
I don't think that it matters.
My life did not change one bit from any of them.
" Or do you have one of your own as an unorthodox JW?"
Only Jesus knows what he meant.
"Unless you believe the NEW one you are an apostate,'pushing ahead' or not relying on Jehovah's channel to tell you what to believe."
That is your story, and it is not true. Anyone can believe anything. One just can not teach in the congregation things that would go against what the overseers are teaching.
" This thinking, if voiced, is a serious sin and subject to disfellowshipping if you are not repentant and tow the party line...the line set forth in clear terms by ....yes...the GOVERNING BODY."
Not true.
One can believe what one wants if one keeps it to oneself. We are not like you all and just argue amongst yourselves.
But your statement is false. as always.
You don't answer the questions, you skip from topic to topic, you call people names, you are not playing nice.I'm outa here.
Pretty soon Jehovah is sending you to the naughty chair...forever. Happy ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz.
"What power struggles and intrigues???? Is this like Clue? We have to guess who did what, when and where....or are you going to actually be forthcoming with your secret information?
Despite what you might imagine, there are power struggles between the members of the Governing Body. The more conservative members want one thing, the other members want another. Sometimes this commences in different interpretations of the Bible coming out week after week. Have you noticed there are many articles lately about getting along with one another. Yes, the Governing Body, mortals that they are, do not always agree. They fight.
Ronald:
CT Russell was one of Jehovah's Witnesses, though he did not use that name because it was not necessary to have one yet, and he did believe the teachings associate with them. In 1917 a whole new group did not start. The same ones that Russell associated with in 1916 were the same ones who continued on in 1917.
Sure some teachings changed as is expected. Of course we would not want to continue on with what Russell taught as we are not followers of Russell as you said he was not a prophet.
And Rutherford did not start a new organization. He continued with what Russell restored and took it to the next level.
Russell needed to step aside when he did (i.e. die) because he could not handle what was to come with the nationalism. He was not tough enough.
And Rutherford taught properly about the atonement. He taught what John 3:16 teaches.
'I believe they are all the same.'
So you still believe that the generation that saw 1914 will see Armageddon?? Try telling your body of elders that with any sort of conviction. Oh, sorry, you dont accept the authority of the elders do you?
You believe they are all the same??
That means that you believe anything and everything... so every religion is right...because they all have elements of truth in them. It doesnt matter what the leaders say or how they interpret things, because you can believe something different in your head and still have God's favour? Well, thats good to know.
The word troll comes to mind more and more as you write. I have thought in the past it was worth debating with you, but I can see now that you are so far removed from being a Jehovah's Witness that no matter what truth is stated about them, you will just deny it.
My comments and yours are here for public viewing. The readers will decide who makes most sense.
Steve:
"'I believe they are all the same.'"
" Try telling your body of elders that with any sort of conviction. Oh, sorry, you dont accept the authority of the elders do you?"
I don't have a body of elders. The congregation I attend has older men overseeing it, but I don't have a body of elders.
I do accept the authority, in that it exists only in the congregation and it is to be balanced and they don't make rules.
"You believe they are all the same??"
I meant that no matter how it is interpreted, the meaning does not change as any interpretation is the same, i.e. what Jesus wants it to be.
"That means that you believe anything and everything... so every religion is right."
Nope. It means that reality is real. What we think happens in heaven does not matter, what Jehovah thinks is what does.
"It doesnt matter what the leaders say or how they interpret things, because you can believe something different in your head and still have God's favour? Well, thats good to know."
In a sense, yes. But I do not focus on these "leaders" that you worship. I focus on the leader as the Christ. He is in charge and knows what he is doing. that is what matters. What humans think does not matter.
"The word troll comes to mind more and more as you write. "
No, it is that you are sooo left wing that if someone is not as lefty as you are, you don't understand. Try being balanced.
"I have thought in the past it was worth debating with you, but I can see now that you are so far removed from being a Jehovah's Witness that no matter what truth is stated about them, you will just deny it."
No, it is that I am not a leftist nor am I right wing. I am balanced. That is why I do not agree with worshipping the Watchtower as in following it nor criticizing it. I use it to print literature in great bulk, but to be balanced and moderate, one has to make the truth one's own.
You know: In the talk "Walk by Holy spirit in the Family" at the 2008 DC, at 7:20 it says "Do your own research so you can prove to yourself the wisdom of following Jehovah's counsel. We knew a young sister who was feeling this way and she said 'I did research and asked myself 'How do I know this is the right religion? How do I know there is a God named Jehovah?'' That is the way she approached her personal study program."
So we do research. But on the relevant. What you describe is not relevant.
"My comments and yours are here for public viewing. The readers will decide who makes most sense."
GBLetters said:
"Despite what you might imagine, there are power struggles between the members of the Governing Body. The more conservative members want one thing, the other members want another. Sometimes this commences in different interpretations of the Bible coming out week after week. Have you noticed there are many articles lately about getting along with one another. Yes, the Governing Body, mortals that they are, do not always agree. They fight."
Sounds like the US Supreme court. But you know what? What the supreme court does has little to do with us citizens. We interact with the local judges. It is the local judges who have to follow the Supreme court, or not.
The same with the governing body, we Witnesses don't interact with them, we interact with the local overseers. So each still has to follow one's own bible trained conscience.
As to conservative vs liberal - that is why I stay moderate.
They are not my leaders and I dont worship them.
I am pointing out the view of the average Jehovah's Witness. I know, I was one for many years and what you say is not true. My experiences are from a number of congregations, and also from many JW friends that I had in many parts of England..they all speak the same.
My wife who is from the USA, says that the rules enforced in congs in the USA were even stricter than those in England.
"I am pointing out the view of the average Jehovah's Witness."
That is your problem. You are pointing to a view that does not exist. I on the other hand, point out the view of the master, Jesus.
Yes, there are conservative Witnesses and liberal ones. I choose neither. I choose to be in the middle.
" I know, I was one for many years and what you say is not true. My experiences are from a number of congregations, and also from many JW friends that I had in many parts of England..they all speak the same."
I don't care. I am my own person and I only worry about me. If people try to tell me what they think on matters, they will get an earful.
"My wife who is from the USA, says that the rules enforced in congs in the USA were even stricter than those in England."
Tell her to read an article about and to the elders in the June 15, 2007 Watchtower. That says that there are no rules and elders are not to make unscriptural or unnecesary rules.
Ah...the Watchtower said there are no rules...that MUST be right then.
I think it was you who said,
'Why do you worship printing companies? What humans say (print) does not matter. Reality is What matters'.
Why refer us to somthing that doesnt matter to you?
Why cant you think for yourself without referring to WT literature?
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