Studying the new "Keep on the Watch!" brochure - Dates but no dates (p14)

by ozziepost 4 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  ozziepost

  "If you knew for sure that the impending execution of divine judgment would not come for a few more years, would that change how you are using your life? If the end of this old system is already later than you expected, have you allowed this to slow you down in Jehovah's service?" - Page 14

  So we come to page 14 in our series of critiquing the new "Keep on the Watch!" brochure.

  In the above quote, we have code words:

  • "slow down in Jehovah's service" means hours in field service and attending meetings at the Kingdom Hall.
  • "impending execution of divine judgment" means destruction at Armageddon for all those non-JWs.

  What else is unsaid? Notice the expression "If you knew for sure that the impending execution of divine judgment would not come for a few more years." A dub will understand that to refer to the setting of dates - something that they have done in the past. They will have in the back of their minds that although they don't "officially" have a date for "Armageddon", the "brothers" still speak of the time being short till the end; that 1914 is now 90 years ago and so little time is remaining.

  In short, the Watch Tower Society wants to have it 'both ways'. Since officially discarding the generation teaching the publications have denied that dates could be set, yet simultaneously claim there is little time remaining.

  So it is with this paragraph on page 14. The WTS have a dilemma - how to maintain the sense of urgency whilst refraining from being specific about times and dates.
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  ezekiel3

  Suddenly the Service Department has an epiphany:

  No promised Armageddon deadline = no growth!

  Caught between a rock (a world-wide watchdog group that will pounce on any WTS "date") and a hard-place (no zeal, diminishing productivity in mainstay USA/Europe). What to do...
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  new light

  So true, Ozzie. How long will the WTS be able to walk this tightrope they've stretched out for themselves and their followers? How many generations have to come and go before this cult finally fizzles out? As long as there are people who crave guidance at any cost, there will probably be Jehovah's Witnesses. I know democracy includes religious freedom, but can't we just outlaw this one little cult, pleeeeease?
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  A Paduan

  How many generations have to come and go before this cult finally fizzles out?

  Quite a few

  A snake sheds its skin many times during the life cycle. At this point, the skin becomes somewhat of a hazard to the snake in terms of preventing comfortable growth or simply preventing the acquiring of a slick new skin with less drag while crawling around. The snake has no moveable eye lid so the skin is all one large covering, including that area over the eye itself. At the time of shedding, the snake's skin has become dull and drab, and the area over the eye cap is cloudy. Before the skin is sloughed off or shed, the snake must see through this rough and cloudy surface. This would cause a blurry or shadowy view of the world beyond, much like when we look through a shower curtain. The vision is still present, but the view is blurred. It typically consists of movement and shadows only. During this period, the snake may rely more heavily on other senses or tend to be more dormant.
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  dothemath

  For any problem in the world, the answer is always God's Kingdom. That's a great long-term view, but many people could use help in the here-and-now. I feel the organization has become like the Pharisees- lots of rigid rules, yet "have disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness...." (Matt. 23: 23,24)

  We're actually discouraged from giving to worthy charitable groups............but that doesn't change the fact it is a very Christian thing to do.........

  Many people in ancient time served God admirably, even though they knew the end was far off..........it says a lot about witnesses that they always need to be thinking it's very near, or their spirituality goes down the drain.