The end for 1975?

Source : http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/1975.php
 
1975 - Watchtower Quotes

From 1966 to 1975 the Watchtower regularly implied that Armageddon would arrive in 1975. However, ask a Jehovah's Witnesses about this date and they will invariably deny there ever being such statements or that the Watchtower assigned any importance to 1975.

The Watchtower has made one post-1975 admission that it did encourage the viewpoint that Jesus earthly rulership would begin 1975.

"With the appearance of the book Life Everlasting-in Freedom of the Sons of God, and its comments as to how appropriate it would be for the millennial reign of Christ to parallel the seventh millennium of man's existence, considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975. ... Unfortunately, however, along with such cautionary information, there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility. Watchtower 1980 March 15 p.17
With this in mind it is enlightening to read the following extensive list of quotes showing exactly what the Watchtower said.

The regular implications that 1975 would bring Armageddon resulted in many Jehovah's Witnesses firmly believing this was going to be the end. The growth rate of publishers immediately before and after 1975 shows the significance of this year in Witness minds and the effect of its failure to eventuate.

Year Ave. Publishers % growth 5 year growth
1970 1,384,782---------10%
1971 1,510,245---------- 9%
1972 1,596,442-----------6%
1973 1,656,673-----------4%
1974 1,880,713---------14%
1975 2,062,449---------10%-------------37%
1976 2,138,537-----------4%
1977 2,117,194--------- -1%
1978 2,086,698--------- -1%
1979 2,097,070-----------0%
1980 2,175,403-----------4%--------------2%

*1976 Service year reports figures from Sept to Dec 1975
The following quotes show that the concept Armageddon would arrive in 1975 was encouraged, with terms such as 'there is only 6 years left' used as a count down to the end.

"The published timetable resulting from this independent study gives the date of man's creation as 4026 B.C.E. According to this trustworthy Bible chronology six thousand years from man's creation will end in 1975, and the seventh period of a thousand years of human history will begin in the fall of 1975 C.E. So six thousand years of man's existence on earth will soon be up, yes, within this generation. … So in not many years within our own generation we are reaching what Jehovah God could view as the seventh day of man's existence. How appropriate it would be for Jehovah God to make of this coming seventh period of a thousand years a sabbath period of rest and release, a great Jubilee sabbath for the proclaiming of liberty throughout the earth to all its inhabitants! This would be most timely for mankind. It would also be most fitting on God's part, for, remember, mankind has yet ahead of it what the last book of the Holy Bible speaks of as the reign of Jesus Christ over earth for a thousand years, the millennial reign of Christ. … It would not be by mere chance or accident but would be according to the loving purpose of Jehovah God for the reign of Jesus Christ, the 'Lord of the Sabbath,' to run parallel with the seventh millennium of man's existence." Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God 1966 pp.26-30

"It did not take the brothers very long to find the chart beginning on page 31, showing that 6,000 years of man's existence end in 1975. Discussion of 1975 overshadowed about everything else. "The new book compels us to realize that Armageddon is, in fact, very close indeed," said a conventioner. Surely it was one of the outstanding blessings to be carried home!"….. Brother Franz. 'Does it mean that Armageddon is going to be finished, with Satan bound, by 1975? It could! It could! All things are possible with God. Does it mean that Babylon the Great is going to go down by 1975? It could. Does it mean that the attack of Gog of Magog is going to be made on Jehovah's witnesses to wipe them out, then Gog himself will be put out of action? It could. But we are not saying. All things are possible with God. But we are not saying. And don't any of you be specific in saying anything that is going to happen between now and 1975. But the big point of it all is this, dear friends: Time is short. Time is running out, no question about that." Watchtower 1966 October 15 pp.629,631

"Does God's rest day parallel the time man has been on earth since his creation? Apparently so. … In what year, then, would the first 6,000 years of man's existence and also the first 6,000 years of Gods rest day come to an end? The year 1975. … It means that within a relatively few years we will witness the fulfilment of the remaining prophecies that have to do with the "time of the end". Awake! 1966 October 8 pp.19-20

"Serving with Everlasting Life in View" Well now, as Jehovah's Witnesses, as runners, even though some of us have become a little weary, it almost seems as though Jehovah has provided meat in due season. Because he's held up before all of us, a new goal. A new year. Something to reach out for and it just seems it has given all of us so much more energy and power in this final burst of speed to the finish line. And that's the year 1975. … Well, we don't have to guess what the year 1975 means if we read the Watchtower. …And don't wait 'till 1975. The door is going to be shut before then….As one brother put it, "Stay alive to Seventy-Five" Wisconsin Sheboygan District Overseer Brother Charles Sunutko 1967

"The immediate future is certain to be filled with climactic events, for this old system is nearing its complete end. Within a few years at most the final parts of Bible prophecy relative to these "last days" will undergo fulfilment." Watchtower 1968 May 1 p.272
"The fact that fifty-four years of the period called the "last days" have already gone by is highly significant. It means that only a few years, at most, remain before the corrupt system of things dominating the earth is destroyed by God." Awake! 1968 October 8 p.13

The August 15 issue of the 1968 Watchtower went into great detail to prove that 1975 really is the end of 6000 years, giving credence to 1975 speculation.

"WHAT about all this talk concerning the year 1975? Lively discussions, some based on speculation, have burst into flame during recent months among serious students of the Bible. Their interest has been kindled by the belief that 1975 will mark the end of 6,000 years of human history since Adam's creation. The nearness of such an important date indeed fires the imagination and presents unlimited possibilities for discussion.
2 But wait! How do we know their calculations are correct? What basis is there for saying Adam was created nearly 5,993 years ago? Does the one Book that can be implicitly trusted for its truthful historical accuracy, namely, the Inspired Word of Jehovah, the Holy Bible, give support and credence to such a conclusion?
35 One thing is absolutely certain, Bible chronology reinforced with fulfilled Bible prophecy shows that six thousand years of man's existence will soon be up, yes, within this generation! (Matt. 24:34) 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." (Matt. 24:36) 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. Make no mistake, it is sufficient that the Father himself knows both the "day and hour"!
36 Even if one cannot see beyond 1975, is this any reason to be less active? The apostles could not see even this far; they knew nothing about 1975. All they could see was a short time ahead in which to finish the work assigned to them."
Watchtower 1968 August 15 p.494 Why Are You Looking Forward to 1975?

"Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of things. Do not be influenced by them. Do not let them "brainwash" you with the Devil's propaganda to get ahead, to make something of yourself in this world. This world has very little time left! Any "future" this world offers is no future! Wisely, then, let God's Word influence you in selecting a course that will result in your protection and blessing. Make pioneer service, the full-time ministry, with the possibility of Bethel or missionary service your goal. This is a life that offers an everlasting future!" Watchtower 1969 March 15 p.171

"If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. Of the generation that observed the beginning of the "last days" in 1914, Jesus foretold: "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur."-Matt. 24:34. Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in highschool and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone!" Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15
"Bible chronology which indicates that Adam was created in the fall of the year 4026 B.C.E. would bring us down to the year 1975 C.E. as the date marking 6,000 years of human history with yet 1,000 years to come for Christ's Kingdom rule. So whatever the date for the end of this system, it is clear that the time left is reduced, with only approximately six years left until the end of 6,000 years of human history." Watchtower 1970 May 1 p.273
The Watchtower, August 15, 1968, p. 494
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Photocopies from the book : "Life everlasting in freedom of the sons of God"(1966) :
To consult online :
 
http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/lifeeverlasting/1966_Life_Everlasting.pdf
Mr. Fred Franz, 4th (official) President of the Watchtower Society announced on January 1975, the end of the world in 1975.
In the Awake! 1971 October 8 a timeline was presented with the "Millennial reign of Jesus Christ" starting on the six thousandth year with the caption "As we near the end of 6,000 years of human history in the mid-1970's there is the thrilling hope of a grand relief."
"And now, as the year 1975 opens up, some thousands of the anointed remnant, still alive on this earth, look ahead to realizing that joyful prospect. The increasing "great crowd" of their sheeplike companions look forward with them to entering the New Order without interruption of life. In the New Order Jehovah God will add to the "length of days" of the anointed remnant on earth to the point of satisfying the members thereof. It remains to be seen whether they will be yet retained here on earth to see the start of the resurrection of the earthly dead and to meet faithful witnesses of ancient, pre-Christian times. They would enjoy that, before being taken off the earthly scene to the heavenly reward with Christ." Watchtower 1974 December 15 p.766

Post 1975 Print Edition Changes

The 1968 edition of The Truth book contained subtle quotes pointing to the fact that the world could not survive past 1975.

"Back in 1960, a former United States Secretary of State, Dean Acherson declared that our time is "a period of unequaled instability, unequaled violence" And he warned: "I know enough of what is going on to assure you that, in fifteen years from today this world is going to be too dangerous to live in"" The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life p.9 1968 edition
The revised edition published in 1981, replaced this quote to read as follows:

"Also, as reported back in 1960, a former United States Secretary of State, Dean Acheson, declared that our time is "a period of unequaled instability, unequaled violence." Based on what he knew was then going on in the world, it was his conclusion that soon "this world is going to be too dangerous to live in."" The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life p.9
Likewise the 1968 edition contained a quote from the book Famine--1975! referring to how unlivable the world would be by 1975.

""By 1975 civil disorder, anarchy, military dictatorships, runaway inflation, transportation breakdowns and chaotic unrest will be the order of the day in many of the hungry nations.""The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life pp.88-89
The 1981 edition replaced this with a 1980 quote on famine from the London Times.

Post 1975 Admission of Guilt
After the failure of 1975 very little was ever said. The first indication of compliance was not until the Yearbook 1980 p.7

The only formal admission of guilt was a 1980 Watchtower article which confessed excitement surrounding 1975 was encouraged. However, one can not help note with disappointment the 5 years span before such admission, or the subtle shifting of the blame to the attitude of the members.

 

"In modern times such eagerness, commendable in itself, has led to attempts at setting dates for the desired liberation from the suffering and troubles that are the lot of persons throughout the earth. With the appearance of the book Life Everlasting-in Freedom of the Sons of God, and its comments as to how appropriate it would be for the millennial reign of Christ to parallel the seventh millennium of man's existence, considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975. There were statements made then, and thereafter, stressing that this was only a possibility. Unfortunately, however, along with such cautionary information, there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility. It is to be regretted that these latter statements apparently overshadowed the cautionary ones and contributed to a buildup of the expectation already initiated. In its issue of July 15, 1976, The Watchtower, commenting on the inadvisability of setting our sights on a certain date, stated: "If anyone has been disappointed through not following this line of thought, he should now concentrate on adjusting his viewpoint, seeing that it was not the word of God that failed or deceived him and brought disappointment, but that his own understanding was based on wrong premises." In saying "anyone," The Watchtower included all disappointed ones of Jehovah's Witnesses, hence including persons having to do with the publication of the information that contributed to the buildup of hopes centered on that date. Nevertheless, there is no reason for us to be shaken in faith in God's promises. Rather, as a consequence, we are all moved to make a closer examination of the Scriptures regarding this matter of a day of judgment. In doing so, we find that the important thing is not the date. What is important is our keeping ever in mind that there is such a day-and it is getting closer and it will require an accounting on the part of all of us. Peter said that Christians should rightly be "awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah." (2 Pet. 3:12) It is not a certain date ahead; it is day-to-day living on the part of the Christian that is important. He must not live a single day without having in mind that he is under Jehovah's loving care and direction and must submit himself thereto, keeping also in mind that he must account for his acts." Watchtower 1980 March 15 p.17

Is it fair for this article to blame the members for their excitement over 1975?

 

The Effect

 

This teaching had a dramatic effect on people's lives. In 1974 the Kingdom Ministry reported that the number of pioneers boomed, with people commended for selling homes to spend the short time left in God's Service. Likewise it was recommended to put off raising children.

 

"Yes, since the summer of 1973 there have been new peaks in pioneers every month. Now there are 20,394 regular and special pioneers in the United States, an all-time peak. That is 5,190 more than there were in February 1973! A 34-percent increase! Does that not warm our hearts? Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end." Kingdom Ministry May 1974 p.3 How Are You Using Your Life?

 

"Today there is a great crowd of people who are confident that a destruction of even greater magnitude is now imminent. The evidence is that Jesus' prophecy will shortly have a major fulfilment, upon this entire system of things. This has been a major factor in influencing many couples to decide not to have children at this time." Awake! 1974 November 8 p.11

Witnesses stocked up on long life food, reminiscent of Mormon pantries. One of my friend's families hid items in the bush, including a cross bow so they could quietly hunt animals during Armageddon. Others went further; they cashed in superannuation plans, cancelled health insurance and sold their homes and bought caravans to live in. This created great problems for many families as they were totally unprepared for lives that would extend on for many decades.

 

Even external news sources understood the message that the Watchtower was indicating. The July 18th 1969 issue of Time contained an article "Witnessing the End" that stated;

 

"In fact, they fully expect the cataclysm of Armageddon within the next few years. The latest calculations of this energetic, eschatology-minded sect date the end of the world in autumn, 1975. Fearful as it may be to other religious believers, the end is a prospect that rejoices the hearts of the 323,688 U.S. members of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, as the Witnesses are..."1

Jehovah's Witnesses are forced to ignore intelligent lines of reason and follow whatever is promoted in the Watchtower, with the excitement over 1975 as testament to how their thinking ability atrophies. There are at least three obvious reasons for why 1975 could not be the date for Armageddon.

 

1. Adam's creation was neither the end of creation nor the start of God's day of rest. The Bible does not tell when God created Eve. The Watchtower 1955 February 1 p.95 specifically said as much:

 

"The very fact that, as part of Jehovah's secret, no one today is able to find out how much time Adam and later Eve lived during the closing days of the sixth creative period, so no one can now determine when six thousand years of Jehovah's present rest day come to an end."

 

During the 1975 hype it began being stated that Adam and Eve were created in the same year, speaking of "the year of Adam and Eve's creation in 4026 B.C.E." (Watchtower 1968 May 1 p.271)Immediately following the failure of 1975 the Watchtower reverted to their original position.

 

"But that great rest day did not begin immediately after Adam's creation. Other events took place after Adam's creation but before the close of the sixth creative day. One of these is of great importance to all of us. That is the creation of the first woman, Eve." Watchtower 1976 July 15 p.436

 

 

2. The Bible does not specify the length of the creative days or the seventh day. It does not indicate that God's day of rest is 7,000 years, or that Jesus reign is to start after 6,000 years.

 

3. The Bible states that angels did not know the time for the end.

 

Matthew 24:36 "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father."

 

The angels watched as the day of creation ended and hence would know the day for the start of Armageddon if it was to be a simple 6000 year calculation.

Promoting 1975 with such shallow reasoning does not say much for the doctrinal integrity of the Watchtower Society. Acceptance of it says wonders about the gullibility of the followers, indicating a lack of any deep desire to see truth beyond what appears written in the pages of the Watchtower.

The failure of 1914 and 1925 taught the Watchtower the danger of specific date setting, but there can be no misunderstanding the implication of the articles prior to 1975. However, ask a Jehovah's Witnesses now whether 1975 was ever thought to be the end of the world and the answer will invariably be denial. This is in line with how the Watchtower paints this part of its history. Notice the brief discussion the Proclaimers book devotes to this important time of growth and the extent of an admission of error.

 

"Brother Franz then referred to the many questions that had arisen as to whether the material in the new book meant that by 1975 Armageddon would be finished, and Satan would be bound. He stated, in essence: 'It could. But we are not saying…. However, other statements were published on this subject, and some were likely more definite than advisable." Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom p.104

 

Footnotes

 

1.http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,901074,00.html 8th August 2006

 

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES AND FALSE PROPHECY

 

20 Questions for Jehovah’s Witnesses on False Prophecies of the Watchtower Society

 

 

1 How can we know the difference between a true prophet and a false prophet?

 

“True, there have been those in times past who predicted an ‘end of the world,’ even announcing a specific date. …Yet, nothing happened. The ‘end’ did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing?  …Missing from such people were God’s truths and the evidence that he was guiding and using them.”—Awake!, October 8, 1968, p. 23 **

 

2 Has the Watchtower Society claimed to be God’s “prophet”?

 

“So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? …He had a “prophet” to warn them. This “prophet” was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses. …Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a “prophet” of God. It is another thing to prove it. The only way that this can be done is to review the record. What does it show?” —The Watchtower, April 1, 1972, p. 197

 

1914

 

3 What does the Watchtower Society’s record show? Did the Society proclaim that 1914 would “end” world governments?

 

“…the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty’ (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced.”—The Time is At Hand, Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 2, 1886, 1911 edition, p. 101

 

4 How sure was the Society that the date 1914 would not be “changed” and that it was “not the date for the beginning, but for the end”?

 

“We see no reason for changing the figures—nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble.”—Zion’s Watch Tower, July 15, 1894, p. 226-231 [Watchtower Reprints, p. 1677]

 

1915

 

5 When 1914 failed, what “date” did the Society “change” in their updated edition of The Time is At Hand book?

 

“…the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty’ (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1915 with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced.”—The Time is At Hand, Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 2, 1886, 1915 edition, p. 101

 

1918

 

6 When 1915 failed, what did the Society say God would do in 1918?

 

“Also, in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church members by millions, it shall be that any that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russel to learn the meaning of the downfall of ‘Christianity.’ ” —The Finished Mystery, Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 7, 1917, p. 485

 

1925

 

7 When 1918 failed, what date did the Society give for the “old world” to end and the “new order” to begin with the “resurrection” of the Old Testament saints?

 

“…the old order of things, the old world, is ending and is therefore passing away, and that the new order is coming in, and that 1925 shall mark the resurrection of the faithful worthies of old… it is reasonable to conclude that millions of people now on the earth will be still on the earth in 1925. Then, based upon the promises set forth in the divine Word, we must reach the positive and indisputable conclusion that millions now living will never die.”—Millions Now Living Will Never Die, 1920, p. 97

 

1940’s

 

8 Why did the Society discourage Jehovah’s Witnesses from bearing children in 1938?

 

“…it would therefore appear that there is no reasonable or Scriptural injunction to bring children into the world immediately before Armageddon, where we now are.”—The Watchtower, November 1, 1938, p. 324

 

9 How soon was Armageddon to break out in 1941?

 

“Never was there a more moving sight in these ‘last days’. …Receiving the gift, the marching children clasped it to them …the Lord’s provided instrument for most effective work in the remaining months before Armageddon. What a gift! and to so many! The manner of releasing the new book Children was an outright surprise to all….”—The Watchtower, September 15, 1941, p. 288

 

1975

 

10 Why were Jehovah’s Witnesses looking forward to 1975?

 

“WHY ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO 1975? WHAT about all this talk concerning the year 1975?  …Their interest has been kindled by the belief that 1975 will mark the end of 6,000 years of human history since Adam’s creation.”—The Watchtower, August 15, 1968, p. 494

 

“According to trustworthy Bible chronology six thousand years from man’s creation will end in 1975, and the seventh period of a thousand years of human history will begin in the fall of 1975 C.E.” —Life Everlasting – In Freedom of the Sons of God, 1966, p. 29

 

11 What did the Society say “would have to be” occurring in the “seventh in a series of thousand-year periods or millenniums”?

 

“…six millenniums of mankind’s life on earth would end in the mid-seventies. Thus the seventh millennium from man’s creation by Jehovah God would begin within less than ten years…. In order for the Lord Jesus Christ to be ‘Lord even of the sabbath day,’ his thousand-year reign would have to be the seventh in a series of thousand-year periods or millenniums…. Would not, then, the end of six millenniums of mankind’s laborious enslavement under Satan the Devil be the fitting time for Jehovah God to usher in a Sabbath millennium for all his human creatures? Yes, indeed! And his King Jesus Christ will be Lord of that Sabbath.” —The Watchtower, October 15, 1969, pp. 622-623

 

12 Did the Society encourage Jehovah’s Witnesses to sell their homes in preparation for the “wicked world’s end” to come in 1975?

 

“Yes, the end of this system is so very near! Is that no reason to increase our activity?… Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world’s end.”—Kingdom Ministry, May 1974, p. 3

 

THE GENERATION OF 1914

 

13 What time period did the Watchtower Society say would bring “the end”?

 

“THE Bible speaks of the time in which we are living as the ‘last days’ or the ‘time of the end.’ …The facts show that this is a limited period that has a definite beginning and a definite end. It began in 1914. …there are people still living who were alive in 1914 … ‘This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.’ Some of them will still be alive to see the end of this wicked system. This means that only a short time is left before the end comes!”—The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life, 1968, pp. 94-95

 

“We can be happy, therefore, for Jesus’ assurance that there will be survivors of ‘the generation of 1914’—that this generation will not have completely passed away—when the ‘great tribulation’ rings down the curtain on this wicked world system.”—The Watchtower, October 15, 1980, p. 31

 

14 How long did the Society say a “generation” would last?

 

“When the term ‘generation’ is used with reference to the people living at a particular time, the exact length of that time cannot be stated, except that the time would fall within reasonable limits. These limits would be determined by the life span of the people of that time or of that population. …Today, much as it was in the time of Moses, people living under favorable conditions may reach 70 or 80 years of age.”—Insight on the Scriptures, vol. 1, 1988, pp. 917-918

 

15 If the “generation” of the “time of the end” would last up to 80 years, what date failed to bring the end as prophesied by the Society?  1914 generation + 80 years = 1994.  How did the Society excuse away this false prophecy?

 

“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.  However, we ‘bring a heart of wisdom in,’ not by speculating about how many years or days make up a generation, but by thinking about how we ‘count our days’ in bringing joyful praise to Jehovah. …Is anything to be gained, then, by looking for dates or by speculating about the literal lifetime of a ‘generation’? Far from it!”—The Watchtower, November 1, 1995, p. 17, 19

 

A NEW “GENERATION” TO BRING THE END!

 

16 Since the “generation” of 1914 failed to bring the end, what new “generation” does the Society now point to in order to bring in the end?

 

“…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.…Evidently, then, some of Christ’s ‘chosen ones’ will still be on earth when the great tribulation begins. …It seems that by the year 1935, the general ingathering of the anointed was complete.” —The Watchtower, January 15, 2000, pp. 13, 16

 

“As a class, these anointed ones make up the modern-day ‘generation’ of contemporaries that will not pass away ‘until all these things occur.’ This suggests that some who are Christ’s anointed brothers will still be alive on earth when the foretold great tribulation begins. …Can We Calculate the Length of ‘This Generation’? …So when the term ‘generation’ is used with reference to people living at a particular time, the exact length of that time cannot be stated except that it does have an end and would not be excessively long.”—The Watchtower, February 15, 2008, pp. 24-25

 

TRUE OR FALSE?

 

17 Do you agree that Jehovah “will put all false prophets to shame …by not fulfilling the false prediction”? Do you agree, “false prophets will try to hide their reason for feeling shame by denying who they really are”?

 

“Jehovah, the God of the true prophets, will put all false prophets to shame either by not fulfilling the false prediction of such self-assuming prophets or by having His own prophecies fulfilled in a way opposite to that predicted by the false prophets. False prophets will try to hide their reason for feeling shame by denying who they really are.”—Paradise Restored to Mankind—By Theocracy!, 1972, pp. 353-354

 

18 Does the Watchtower Society deny that they are a “false prophet” by claiming that they never presumed to “originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah’ ”?

 

“Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, having suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’”—Awake! March 22, 1993, p. 4

 

19 Is it true that Jehovah’s Witnesses “never” presumed to speak as a “prophet” in the “name” of Jehovah?

 

“More accurately, was there any group on whom Jehovah would be willing to bestow the commission to speak as a ‘prophet’ in His name, as was done toward Ezekiel back there in 613 B.C.E.? What were the qualifications? …It is of importance to every individual on earth to identify the group that Jehovah has commissioned as his ‘servant’ or messenger. …For this reason forthcoming issues of The Watchtower will further discuss the identity and work of Jehovah’s commissioned messenger as revealed in His vision to Ezekiel.”—The Watchtower, March 15, 1972, pp. 189-190

 

“ ‘They shall know that A PROPHET WAS AMONG THEM’ …So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? …He had a “prophet” to warn them. This “prophet” was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses.”—The Watchtower, April 1, 1972, p. 197

 

20 Do you agree that people should no longer trust false prophets “as safe guides”?

 

“Their prophecies did not come true.  Therefore they are false prophets; and the people should no longer trust them as safe guides…”—The Watch Tower, May 15, 1930, p. 156

 

“However, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die.  And in case you should say in your heart: ‘How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?’ when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him.’ ” —Deuteronomy 18:20-22, New World Translation

 

 

Source : http://4jehovah.org/jehovahs-witnesses-and-false-prophecy/

 

 

 

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