Jehovah's Witnesses, What is the Truth?

Question

For example, the "new light" concerning the Generation alive in 1914.

Was the old view the truth or is the new view the truth?

Did the truth change?

When you were telling you Bible Studies and people at thedoor that the Gen alive in 1914would see armageddon were you lying or not telling the truth?

Does Jehovah know the truth?

Why did he let his "true followers", his "faithful slave" who he has charged with dispensing the truth to the flock and to the world through door to door preaqching, preach something that was "not the truth" on such an important and pivotal point, for 100 years?

It seems the "truth" does change.

So, now that we are not waiting for the 1914 Gen to die, and Armageddon could be 10, 100 or 1,000 years away, than the Witnesses can relax as there is much less urgency.

MZ Lady. Was the original understanding, the Truth or is the presant understanding the Truth?

Look, I am an apostate and as evil as that sounds, I'm looking for an answer. If the JW's simply dismiss this as some sly devious way that I am trying to trick JW's, what ever. The question remains.

I would be happy to email you directly. I just wanted you to know I am an apostate and disfellowshipped. If you still want me to email you, email me first.

ADAMS RIB, Actually the Witnesses before 1914 thought Arnageddon was coming in 1914. See Mathairs answer.

The Watchtower said:

Wt 7/1/69 pg395

Do you not recall that Jesus, in prophesying of this period of the last days which commenced in 1914, also said: “Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur”? (Luke 21:32) People who were only just old enough to understand what was happening to the world in 1914 are now approaching seventy years of age. Yes, the numbers of that generation are dwindling fast, but before they all pass away this system must meet its end.

Do you actually know what you "are supposed to" believe?

This is a central doctrine, genius. Try some personal study.

Answer 1

HEY ADAMS RIB!
yes I'm yelling but just to get your attention.

You said that they didn't say Armageddon was coming in 1914.

You are mistaken:

The JW's taught for years that Jesus came in 1878:

"The year A.D. 1878, being the parallel of his assuming power and authority in the type, clearly marks the time for the actual assuming of power as King of kings, by our present, spiritual, invisible Lord...." Studies in the Scriptures - Thy Kingdom Come p.239


"Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present since October 1874, A.D., according to the testimony of the prophets, to those who have ears to hear it: and the formal inauguration of his kingly office dates from April 1878, A.D." Studies in Scriptures Series IV (1897) p.621

"Now, in view of recent labor troubles and threatened anarchy, our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They do not see how present conditions can hold out so long under the strain. 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." Zions Watch Tower 1894 July 15 p.226


AND this is where the LIE comes in:

"The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence…that Jesus' presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914." Watchtower 1993 January 15 pp.5,9


"Even earlier, however, C. T. Russell wrote an article entitled "Gentile Times: When Do They End?" It was published in the Bible Examiner of October 1876, and therein Russell said: "The seven times will end in A.D. 1914." He had correctly linked the Gentile Times with the "seven times" mentioned in the book of Daniel. (Dan. 4:16, 23, 25, 32) True to such calculations, 1914 did mark the end of those times and the birth of God's kingdom in heaven with Christ Jesus as king. Just think of it! Jehovah granted his people that knowledge nearly four decades before those times expired." Yearbook 1975 p.37

NOW in regards to prophesying that 1914 was the date of Armageddon:

"A.D. 33, to A.D. 70 was 36 ½ years; and so from A.D. 1878 to the end of A.D. 1914 is 36 ½ years. And, with the end of A.D. 1914, what God calls Babylon, and what men call Christendom, will have passed away, as already shown in prophecy." Studies In the Scriptures Series III - Thy Kingdom Come (1891) p.153


"The seventh trumpet sounds from Aug. 1840, until "the time of trouble," or day of wrath is ended. Hence, it doubtless ends with the times of the Gentiles, and this forty years of conquest; and therefore, sounds until A. D. 1914; at the end of which, Babylon the great, will have fallen, and the "dragon" be bound: that is, the nations will be subdued, and "the prince of this world cast out."" Three Worlds and The Harvest of This World (1877) p.143

"Now, in view of recent labor troubles and threatened anarchy, our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They do not see how present conditions can hold out so long under the strain. 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." Zions Watch Tower 1894 July 15 p.226

"… the battle of the great day of God Almighty… The date of the close of that "battle" is definitely marked in Scripture as October 1914. It is already in progress, its beginning dating from October, 1874." Zion's Watch Tower 1892 January 15 p.23

Once again, look back at HOW they present their history:

"The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence…that Jesus' presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914." Watchtower 1993 January 15 pp.5,9

"Of all men used by God to prophesy, Jesus is outstanding. Based on what he said, along with the words of Daniel and John, Jehovah's witnesses pointed to the year 1914, decades in advance, as marking the start of "the conclusion of the system of things." Awake! 1973 January 22 p.8

1973 "Do You Really Believe It?.. If you are one of Jehovah's dedicated witnesses, you believe that the generation of people now living is in its 'last days.'.. We know that Jesus Christ will take such action within this generation. Bible chronology clearly establishes that in 1914 C.E. he was given rulership over the world of mankind." {WT Jan 15 1973 56/61}

So you see, the thing is that yes, current, active JW's believe the Watchtower Society when they say that they have Always taught that 1914 was never prophesied as being the date of the end of days. And that they only prophesied that Jesus was enthroned as King.
This is no mere mistake, the Society has outright lied to people.

Does this sound like a religion that could be considered the Truth?
Especially when they refuse to acknowledge that Russell did NOT claim that these were his Own ideas, but rather that these were God's Dates!

Answer 2

My parents became JWs, long before I was born. They were told in the mid 1930s that Armageddon was imminent and that THEIR generation was the generation that would be alive when Armageddon broke out. (They were in their mid 20s then).

It is misleading for any JW to deny that they told untruths about 1914 by saying they have always taught that was when Jesus returned invisibly. That completely evades the specific point of this Q about the generation alive in 1914. But perhaps such a JW actually does not know that, until the 1980s, the Watchtower Society stated hundreds of times in print that 'the generation alive in 1914 will still be alive when Armageddon starts.' They insisted that a generation lasts 80 years maximum, so, come 1994 that idea was proved untrue. Before then, they had come up with a new teaching on 'a generation' and now it is a future generation that will see Armageddon, not identified until Armageddon starts.

The old view was not the truth. The truth didn't change. Any JW who denies the old view was taught as God's truth is not telling the truth.

Answer 3

The truth does not change ,it changes with people who think they have a direct contact with a god that only communicates with them, lets be knowledgeable if I told you I had a Nissan today and you come over the next day and I have a Toyota can I really tell you that was the truth I told you yesterday but today the truth is that it is a Toyota? I worked with the criminally insane in Ann Arbor, Mi and this truth reminds me of the work I had there. Insane. The god jehovah is not a god, the name is in error so how do you not know that you are praying to a demon god? That's a man made name for God, look it up, it was coined by a catholic monk by the name of Raymundus Martini. TRUTH, if truth was truth then we all should of been dead in 1914 as the false prophet stated.

Answer 4

Jehovahs witnesses and the reality? * Not togheter. if jehovahs witnesses should not have the reality, then why do they are living there lives to the nice of there potential through residing through bible concepts. which of path is the phrase of god and now not the phrase of guy. * Many could also be looking to are living there lives to the nice of there potential, however the crisis is that they're being misled within the teachings they acquire from the WatchTower Organization.

Answer 5

They micro-interpret every syllable in the Bible for hidden meanings. Sometimes, there are no hidden meanings. Also, they often take some, or most, passages out of context to fit with their particular viewpoint. Their "Truth" changes all the time. First it's absolute, then it's not, then it is again. I visited a website for ex-JWs once while browsing, and the pain and confusion that those poor souls were going through because of self-doubt and self-condemnation was heartbreaking. If there's one religion that can take ALL the joy out of being a Christian and being saved, it is them...

Answer 6

Can any tell me of Jehovas Witnesses send out those little books that have pictures and say that all people who give out Holloween candy are witches. You know which ones Im talking about, expeically if your a waitress. When I was little my mom got one that told when the end of the world was going to be, the day and exact time.

Answer 7

there "god" is a devil, why do you think he requires them to go into a box and shut out the true gods creation every week, wouldent the true god have given us every thing we need to learn from this life in the wonderfull world he created for us??

Answer 8

Their "truth" changes often, and in more than one category. This is necessary to avoid future debates, yet they will never vanish.

Answer 9

I AM one of Jehovahs witnesses and we are NOT A CULT DESPITE WHAT ANYONE SAYS anyway. .. . i dont quite understand your question . . . E Mail Me

Answer 10

I'm pretty sure that you know exactly what you mean.