On page 13 of the December 15, 2014 Watchtower (study edition), the first 2 sentences of paragraph 10 say:
"The symbolic separating of fish does not refer to the final judgment during the great tribulation. Rather, it highlights what would happen during the last days of this wicked system."
But notice the words of the illustration recorded at Matthew 13:47-50 (especially the verses 49 and 50):
“Again the kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet let down into the sea and gathering up [fish] of every kind. 48 When it got full they hauled it up onto the beach and, sitting down, they collected the fine ones into vessels, but the unsuitable they threw away. 49 That is how it will be in the conclusion of the system of things: the angels will go out and separate the wicked from among the righteous 50 and will cast them into the fiery furnace. There is where [their] weeping and the gnashing of [their] teeth will be."
Jesus words clearly indicate that it is the angels that do this separating work and that it involves casting the unsuitable ones in the "fiery furnace", indicating their everlasting destruction. Note that verse 50 is virtually word-for-word the same as what is stated at Matthew 13:42 - just a few verses above. How does Watchtower interpret Matthew 13:42?
The July 15, 2013 Watchtower (study edition) discusses this very verse (Matthew 13:42) on page 13. In commenting on the expression "weeping and gnashing", they say this in paragraph 13:
"Speaking about the condition of the weed class, Jesus states: "There is where their weeping and the gnashing of their teeth will be." (Matt. 13:42) Is that happening right now? No."
Then in paragraph 14 they say:
"During the great tribulation, after all organized false religion has been destroyed, former adherents will run for cover but will find no secure place to hide. (Luke 23:30; Rev. 6:15-17) . . . As Jesus foretells in his prophecy about the great tribulation, at that dark moment, they "will beat themselves in lamentation." - Matt. 24:30; Rev. 1:7"
Then in paragraph 15 they say:
Fourth, pitched in to the furnace. What will happen to the bundles of weeds? The angels "will pitch them into the fiery furnace." (Matt. 13:42) That means complete destruction. Hence, those former adherents of false religious organizations will be destroyed during the final part of the great tribulation, Armageddon"
Thus, it is very clear from the July 15, 2013 Watchtower that they understand Jesus' expression at Matthew 13:42 about being cast into the fiery furnace and experiencing weeping and gnashing of teeth refers to events during the great tribulation. How can they come now and say that Jesus illustration of a separating work involving angels and where he used this very same expression, does not refer to a separating work happening during the great tribulation? Why, Matthew 13:47-50 is practically a less detailed repetition of the illustration of the wheat and the weeds found in the very same chapter! Watchtower is a brazen false teacher!
Awake ones still in: paragraph 10 of this week's Watchtower study provides an opportunity to share a subtle TTATT comment exposing the brazen false statement made at the start of that paragraph.
