Question on the generation teaching

by expatbrit 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  expatbrit

  We all know about the WT's dramatic about face in 1995 on the generation thing. It was a large nail in their coffin, as far as I was concerned.

  After all, surely a verse so important, so relevant to our modern times would have been studied intensively at Bethel. How could they have got it so wrong for so many decades? How could the guiding holy spirit have been so screwed up?

  And oh! so convenient! A generation is 70 or 80 years, and then suddenly in the 81st year, bingo! new light!

  But my question is this: how have other religious groups, scholars and commentators historically viewed "this generation"? Has the WT moved to a position already held by some parts of "Christendom"? If so, if Christendom's light has been brighter on an important doctrinal point like the generation, then this would surely show the WT's claim of being "God's channel" to be a preposterous fraud.

  I've started looking for some info. on this, but if anyone has already done some research, I'd certainly appreciate your help!

  Expatbrit
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  outnfree

  Expat,

  Haven't done any personal research on this, but the pastor at the non-denominal church I've been attending DID mention recently that there is a large library available to all in the office.

  Perhaps I'll take a peek on Wed. PM.? I'll let you know what I find in the diverse "Commentaries."

  This is interesting to me, too, as I've found that all those WT warnings about Christendom not having the correct understanding on things was a bunch of bull-roar! I've already heard an "Honesty" sermon that could've come straight from a WT outline and Bible studies (without aids!!!) on Sunday mornings have leaders spouting quotations from different sources and references to the original language nuances, etc., just like all that GREAT spiritual food we got at the Kingdom Hall.

  Talk to you soon!
  outnfree
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  ozziepost

  It's a literal period of 70 years and refers to the time of the end for Jerusalem culminating in its destruction by the Roman armies in 70 A.D.. Simple, really!

  Ozzie (of the keep it simple stupid class)

  Freedom is not having to wear a tie.
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  sandy

  It's a literal period of 70 years and refers to the time of the end for Jerusalem culminating in its destruction by the Roman armies in 70 A.D.. Simple, really!

  Ok, I was doing some reading on this topic over the weekend. I was looking at the old live forever book, and some old wt articles.

  So, from the time of the destruction of Jerusalem to 1914 when war broke out in heaven (ridiculous if you ask me) God didn't have an earthly organization representing him?

  Why? Do the jws offer any reason for this? I can not understand why God would leave us alone for all that time. Did I miss the read where the jws explain why God abandoned us for all that time? It seems rather cruel.

  I do not understand the bible. It seems too much like a fairytale.
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  Love_Truth

  I don't know what others believe or teach, (I'm not real fond of iinterpretations of prophecy) but my suspicion is that "generation" carries no more significance than "day", as in an undetermined period of time.

  Love_Truth- That's my two cents.
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  xjw_b12

  Holy Thread Resurrections Batman !
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  Englishman

  Maybe you'd better contact the author with congratulations.

  Englishman.
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  funkyderek

  I don't know what others believe or teach, (I'm not real fond of iinterpretations of prophecy) but my suspicion is that "generation" carries no more significance than "day", as in an undetermined period of time.

  Doesn't seem like much of a prophecy then. "All these things will happen within an indefinite period of time." It's meaningless.
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  LittleToe

  Derek:

  Doesn't seem like much of a prophecy then. "All these things will happen within an indefinite period of time." It's meaningless.

  LOL - that is sooo true.
  Damn, I'm agreeing with ya again!
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  Hunyadi

  wt 11/1/95 pages 16-21

  6 Not only must we pay attention to the inspired prophecies concerning these final days of a wicked system but we must anchor our faith primarily on the precious sacrifice of Christ Jesus and God?s marvelous promises based thereon. (Hebrews 6:17-19; 9:14; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; 2 Peter 1:16-19) Eager to see the end of this evil system, 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. (Psalm 90:12) Rather than provide a rule for measuring time, the term "generation" as used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics.

  This was the backdoor for the predictions made for the end.