"I never thought I'd ever be this old"
Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15 "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.' Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers."
"Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarships or employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests first."Kingdom Ministry, June 1969, p. 3 "Of course, there may be a tempting offer of higher education or of going into some field of work that promises material rewards. However, Jehovah God holds out to you young folks many marvelous privileges of service in his organization. Which will you decide to take up? In view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous. On the other hand, a decision to take advantage of what God offers through his organization opens up excellent opportunities for advancement as well as a rich, meaningful life that will never end"
May, 1974 Our Kingdom Ministry "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."
This is only skimming the surface of their history. How disappointing it must be for those who put their faith in a deceitful organization. Why not put your faith and trust in He who is true?
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change."
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
5 comments:
Sometimes I wonder about the scripture at Matt 24:48-9 about the slave who becomes concerned that the "master is delaying," and who, in response, starts to beat his fellow slaves. Do you think there is any relevance?
Your post is quite correct. There are many older ones who literally never thought they'd see old age in this system. Obviously, some prophesies were misinterpreted. Because of that, many have found themselves "out of sync" with practical life, sometimes seriously so. Undeniably, it is a great inconvenience for those in that boat. (though there's always the other type of person who adapts to anything - nothing inconveniences him. Ah. I wish I were one of them)
The slave in the Matt 24 scripture starts beating his fellow slaves. "I was misled! They double-crossed me! It was mind control!" You hear people say such things. But other slaves who may also have gone out on a limb simply suck it up and move on. Admittedly, that is not necessarily easy and some opportunities, when they pass, may never return. But the Christian faith, after all, is that this is not the "real life," (1 Tim 6:19) and faithful ones can expect to be a bit like Abraham, who is described as residing as an alien in a foreign land.
Have some Witnesses been "disappointed?" Probably. But only in matters relevant to this system of things, which is not the real life. After all, a few decades will find us all senile and in diapers in this system of thngs. This system of things disappoints people all the time. Ask them about that in Iraq.
Compared to recent centuries, our time is the most materialistic, individualistic, and self-centered ever. That's not a criticism of any individual. It's the world we're born into and it permeates our being. And it's harder on any new generation because the backdrop has become more and more pronounced.
I suspect the real question will be the one Jesus raised in Luke 18:8
"when the Son of man arrives, will he really find the faith on the earth?”
Frankly, I have great respect for the governing body. They alone are unafraid to go out on a limb. Everyone else hedges their bets. Everyone else covers their rear end. Everyone else tries to make sure they can have it both ways. They don't.
It's not as if they personally benefit from any failed prophesies. They live in dormitories, for crying out loud. Nice dormitories, to be sure. But dormitories, all the same. Should they decide to leave, they don't walk away with a pension or 401K.
Hi Tom Sheepandgoats, thanks for taking the time to comment.
Matthew 24 is loaded with the goods. This is precisely the reason why I believe the "faithful and discreet slave" is not the Governing Body.
Jesus encourages all his followers to be expecting His coming, for "no one knows" when that will be. He illustrates this in many ways, including a house owner (v42) who would either be watchful or careless, likewise for a servant (v46). Jesus said that if this same servant is not faithful then there would be the most awful of consequences.
So Jesus was not referring to an inspection and approval of a society as the sole channel of communication. Again, every christian must be faithful and discreet to our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (Jude 1:4). Peter reminds all believers the Day of the Lord will arrive unexpectedly (2 Peter Ch3).
Even if the Governing Body presently benefits or not from their failed prophecies, it does not alter the fact.
The Watchtower, June 15, 1957 Issue, Page 370: Respond to the directions of the organization as you would the voice of God
The Watchtower, January 1, 1942 Issue, Page 5: God uses The Watchtower to communicate to his people: it does not consist of men's opinions
Ah well.
Assuming those quotes are correct (and I don't really doubt it):
1. they were a long time ago.
2. the authors can be forgiven on the basis of Jesus sacrifice.
3. it's not really their "failed prophesies." It's their misinterpretation of an existing Bible prophesy. There is a significant difference. Jim Jones had "failed prophesies," ones that just came out of his own head.
4. if the Christian pattern holds from 1rst century times, there is an organization that has some authority, per Acts 15, also 16:4,5
5. IMHO
There's a lot more going on here than just misinterpretations. They claim to be God's sole channel of communication.
Watchtower July 1, 1973: Only this organization functions for Jehovah's purpose and to his praise. To it alone God's Sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book.
Watchtower February 15, 1983 p.12: A third requirement is that we be associated with God’s channel, his organization.
Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.
Does truth ever stop being true?
Watchtower 1990 December 15 p 26: For over a century, delightful, correct words of truth covering every aspect of life have been presented in the Watch Tower Society's publications.
Watchtower of April 1, 1972: So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet?
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 Awake magazine announced in its pages until 1995: The Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.
This promise was attributed to the Creator. What does Jehovah say?
Deut 18:20 "But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death."
Notice that in Acts 15 it was the men from Judea (Jerusalem) that were the ones causing trouble in the Antioch church. It is not surprising it was resolved there, but not among a "governing body" who decides every issue.
Acts 15:22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
In Acts 16:4-5 continues with the outcome of this issue. Note that it is the Holy Spirit who is leading the spreading of the gospel in all locations.
Yes, those authors can be forgiven, but only if they truly repent and put all their trust in Jesus. We are filthy sinners and there is no one else we can go to.
John 6:68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
Good stuff, Sacchiel. On another note, I know many God fearing Christians who have this same position about savings, retirement, education, etc. because they think Christ will "rapture" them, or even return, lessening their need to prepare for future life on earth. Very good post. I'll keep these passages handy for my next JW encounter!
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