How many Jehovah's Witnesses are alive today, born prior to 1914?

Question

As I understand it, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus was speaking about 1914 when he said "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur."

1914 was 93 years ago... it seems that there couldn't be many living Jehovah's Witnesses remaining who are this old. Does the Watchtower Society keep track of how many there are left today? Honest question. Thanks.

Achtung: You said "The November 1, 1995 issue of "The Watchtower" clarified this matter for Jehovah's Witnesses."

First, is there a place online that I can read this article in its context?

Second, are you saying that
Jehovah's Witnesses who stopped reading the Watchtower magazines prior to 11/1995 are unable to properly interpret Scripture on the subject?

Answer 1

Strangely, I agree with keiichi

As the WT reiterated time and time again for several decades, Jesus promised deliverance to those who observed "these things" - specifically, according to the WT, the beginning of WWI. The WT also taught

1. Jesus would not be speaking to babies or children, but to people old enough to understand the meaning of the events which began unfolding in 1914 and

2. The end would come - not at the END of the lifetime of those people, but BEFORE the generation passed away

3. Psalm 90:10 was quoted to say that a generation is usually 70 to 80 years; therefore, it was the unspoken conclusion that Armageddon would arrive within 80 years, at the absolute latest. Simple math - 1914 plus 80 = 1994 - --note that Achtung said this teaching was 'clarified' in 1995....for obvious reasons.

As Keiichi said, WWI holds no meaning for the "generation' living today, but the WT is too invested in "1914" to admit they were all wrong. So they only admit it was "wrong" in gradual stages.

Answer 2

This question seems to be based on a teaching Jehovah's Witnesses clarified more than a decade ago. For the vast majority of their modern history, Jehovah's Witnesses have taught (and continue to teach) that "the last days" or "the conclusion of the system of things" began in 1914.
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_10.htm

(2 Timothy 3:1) In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here

(Matthew 24:3) Disciples approached [Jesus] privately, saying: "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?"


The Scriptures also call this period 'the second coming' of Jesus or the second "presence" of Jesus. The Scriptures continue to describe a list of signs given by Jesus that would indicate that this time had arrived.
http://watchtower.org/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_09.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20051001/article_02.htm

Jehovah's Witnesses noticed something else particularly interesting in Jesus' discussion of these "last days" as recorded in the Gospels:
...(Matthew 24:34) Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.
...(Mark 13:30) Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.
...(Luke 21:32) Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur.

It seemed logical to suppose that Jesus was referring to the generation which had seen the initiation of these signs in 1914, and this was the understanding of Jehovah's Witnesses for many years.

However, bible scholars among Jehovah's Witnesses realized that Jesus had actually used the expression "this generation" more than a dozen times in the Gospels. Interestingly, none of his other usages was in reference to a lifespan! Instead, Jesus had elsewhere used the term "this generation" to refer simply to a group that was identified with a particular mindset (See Luke 11:29-33).

The November 1, 1995 issue of "The Watchtower" clarified this matter for Jehovah's Witnesses. Witnesses now understand Jesus' words to mean that there the list of signs would continue without real improvement, and the mindset of most humans would remain unconcerned about the impending judgment of Armageddon.

(Matthew 24:37-39) For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of [Jesus] the Son of man will be.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_10.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm

Answer 3

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Christ's second coming happened invisibly in 1914 and that the generation alive at that time would be the generation to see the "end to this wicked system of things" (Armageddon) and the start of Christ's millennial reign over a paradise earth.

They were told that 6,000 years of human history was about to end and therefore the millennial reign of Christ over a paradise earth was imminent. Their book 'The Time is at Hand' said, on page 33, that 6,000 years of human history ended in 1873. Then the date was moved to 1972 (The Truth Shall Make You Free, 1943 edition, page 152). Then the date was moved to 1975 (Awake! October 8, 1968). Now the Governing Body has switched emphasis away from predicting the end of 6,000 years of human history, claiming it is merely an interesting chronological milestone, but with no real theological importance.

My parents became Witnesses around 1945 and absolutely believed that they would be alive to see God's earthly kingdom established. They died disappointed.

You are absolutely correct to suggest that there cannot be many living JW's who were born prior to 1914. Interestingly, there are 8,500 of the 'anointed' class (those with a heavenly hope) as of spring, 2007. I doubt anyone will admit to how many were born prior to 1914 - it would be far too embarrassing because it would show the Governing Body up for the false prophet it is.

Most JW's who have answered this q are too young to realise how much emphasis the Governing Body placed on the events from 1914 onwards. They absolutely said that the generation alive in 1914 would be the same generation that saw the earthly kingdom established. My parents believed this. I believed this. Millions of JW's believed this. Can't you see? They keep changing the goal-posts. Please, please, please lift your head out of the sand and DO SOME INDEPENDENT RESEARCH INTO THE HISTORY OF THIS ORGANISATION. I am not telling lies. I am not making anything up. Everything I have said can be corroroborated from the Watch Tower Society literature. You are following a false prophet.

Answer 4

Well around the world is difficult but when you read that prior to Armagedon all false religion represented with a harlot in Revelation 17 and 18 have to be destroy and actually is exactly what we have been watching in CNN how religions are becoming a problem more than a solution I suggest that keep hearing what JWs are saying cause let supposed that nothing happens with religion and is false that they are going to fall, it wont cost you money (we don´t ask tithing) and you will realize a lot thing that is in the bible that are important for our life.

Answer 5

You asked what the wtbts states on this matter so here it is with more if you follow the thread... “This Generation” of Christ’s Prophecies. When Bible prophecy speaks of “this generation,” it is necessary to consider the context to determine what generation is meant. Jesus Christ, when denouncing the Jewish religious leaders, concluded by saying: “Truly I say to you, All these things will come upon this generation.” History recounts that about 37 years later (in 70 C.E.) that contemporary generation personally experienced the destruction of Jerusalem, as foretold.—Mt 23:36. Later that same day, Jesus again used practically the same words, saying: “Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.” (Mt 24:34) In this instance, Jesus was answering a question regarding the desolation of Jerusalem and its temple as well as regarding the sign of his presence and of the conclusion of the system of things. Before his reference to “this generation,” however, he had focused his remarks specifically on his “coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” and the nearness of the Kingdom of God. Immediately afterward, he continued with references to his “presence.” (Mt 24:30, 37, 39; Lu 21:27, 31) Jesus was using the word “generation” with reference to humans whose lives would in some way be associated with the foretold events.—Mt 24. The people of this 20th-century generation living since 1914 have experienced these many terrifying events concurrently and in concentrated measure—international wars, great earthquakes, terrible pestilences, widespread famine, persecution of Christians, and other conditions that Jesus outlined in Matthew chapter 24, Mark chapter 13, and Luke chapter 21.

Answer 6

"that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur."

Clearly, Jesus intended to use a generation to establish a time frame. In order for Jesus' words, "when you see all these things," to have any relevance, it must be that individuals could observe all the foretold events as they unfold.

As it stands, the present generation has no firsthand recollection of World War One.

Answer 7

Your information is incorrect. That is not one of the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses.

So the number of Witnesses born prior to 1914 is irrelevant.


EDIT:

Unsilenced : As an "average Witness," I am perfectly aware of how we used to view Jesus words about the "generation." This question is worded to imply that it is speaking of a belief we hold at present, and so it IS incorrect.

Answer 8

Not many are left, that is for sure.

"Seasonded with Salt" - you need to go back and check some older Watchtower magazines and you will see for yourself, that there has been changes and omissions.
Contact me if you like and I will email you some quotes and they you can look them up. Good day

Answer 9

And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” Gen. 6:3

Not to much time is left for them. They only have 27 years before they are all dead for sure because no one can live past 120 years.

It's my understand that the generation that sees Israel reborn would not fall away until the second coming. I know there is a verse for this but it's not in my head right now.

It wouldn't surprise me if they keep track, although that seems impossible.

The JW's only have another 27 years before they are severely embarrassed again and only have this much time to come up with another false teaching to explain why this one failed.

Answer 10

They have this information in each of their yearbooks. The Watchtower is a diligent group that sends in all sorts of statistics to the head office.