Whatever Happened To THIS Belief?

by Sunspot 32 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  fish

  ***

  w042/1pp.20-21"TheSceneofThisWorldIsChanging"***

  How

  theFinalActWillPlayOut

  11

  Aware that his end is approaching, Satan since 1914 has been stepping up his efforts to mislead "the entire inhabited earth." Always the master deceiver, Satan works behind the scenes, putting on the stage the world’s leaders and trendsetters as role players. (2 Timothy 3:13; 1 John 5:19) One of his goals is to deceive mankind into thinking that his way of governing can bring them true peace. By and large, his propaganda has succeeded, for people remain optimistic in spite of mounting evidence that conditions are going from bad to worse. The apostle Paul foretold that just before this system of things is destroyed, there will be a notable expression of satanic propaganda. He wrote: "Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman."—1 Thessalonians 5:3; Revelation 16:13.

  12

  In recent years, politicians have often used the phrase "peace and security" to describe various human schemes. They even dubbed 1986 the International Year of Peace, although that year did not live up to its name. Do such efforts by world leaders constitute the complete fulfillment of 1 Thessalonians 5:3, or was Paul referring to a specific event of such dramatic proportions as to claim world attention?

  13

  Since Bible prophecies are often fully understood only after they are fulfilled or are in the process of fulfillment, we will have to wait and see. It is of interest, though, that Paul compared the sudden destruction following the cry of "Peace and security!" to the birth pang of a pregnant woman. Over a period of about nine months, an expectant mother becomes increasingly aware of the baby that is growing within her. She may be able to hear her baby’s heartbeat or feel its movements in the womb. It may even kick her. The signs often become more and more pronounced until, one day, she feels a sharp pain, a pang, indicating that the hoped-for event—the baby’s birth—has arrived. Hence, however the prophesied cry of "Peace and security!" may be fulfilled, it will lead to a sudden, painful, but ultimately blessed event—the destruction of wickedness and the beginning of a new world system.

  14

  The coming destruction will be fear-inspiring for faithful Christians watching from the sidelines. First, the kings of the earth (the political part of Satan’s organization) will turn on the supporters of Babylon the Great (the religious part) and will destroy them. (Revelation 17:1, 15-18) Thus, in a stunning plot twist, Satan’s kingdom will become divided against itself, with one part attacking the other, and Satan will be powerless to prevent it. (Matthew 12:25, 26) Jehovah will put it into the hearts of the kings of the earth "to carry out his thought," namely, to rid the earth of his religious adversaries. After false religion is destroyed, Jesus Christ will lead his heavenly armies in a complete rout of what is left of Satan’s organization—the commercial and political elements. Finally, Satan himself will be put out of action. With that, the curtain will fall, and the long-running drama will come to an end.—Revelation 16:14-16; 19:11-21; 20:1-3.
• 

  Sunspot

  Serendipity,

  Thanks for posting the article.

  It certainly appears that the WTS is talking out of both sides of its mouth (again or as usual?) and has no more clue than your mailman as to what's going on.

  This should go up on the block along with the "King of the North" predictions that they guessed at for all those years----finally being forced to admit they had no clue about that either.

  Annie
• 

  enlightenedcynic

  I still attend meetings (unfortunately), and this point is certainly not stressed or emphasized as much as it once was. Just to illustrate how the average dub just turns off all logical thought...my wife comes home the other night from meeting with her 50 tracts for the campaign. She's all excited and says to me, "I really think that the slave has some kind of knowledge regarding the end of the system...they must because why else would they print this tract?" I couldn't take it, so I politely asked her if she remembers what Matt 24:26 says? She didn't so I got out the bible and showed her were it says NOBODY execpt the father knows the time of the end!!! She answers, "Well I am STILL sure that Jehovah has communicated something to the slave class". No scriptual basis for that feeling, mind you...just her blind faith in this org. So there you have it...when faced with a contradiction between what the "slave" says and what the bible says, you know what way the average dub is gonna lean.
  
  ec
• 

  Finally-Free

  But beware! “Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security,’” warns the Bible, “then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape.” Thus, cries of “peace and security” will signal God’s time “to bring to ruin those [who through pollution, nuclear and otherwise, are] ruining the earth.”—1 Thessalonians 5:3, 4; Revelation 11:18.

  We are still patiently waiting for the watchtower to create a new definition for the word "instantly", just as they've done with the word "generation". Then they have to come up with major and minor fulfillments of this text, as well as typical and antitypical meanings for it. Then they need to figure out who, precisely, is saying "peace and security". Is it the "king of the north"? South? Both?

  This could take a very long time.

  W
• 

  Sunspot

  *** w042/1pp.20-21"TheSceneofThisWorldIsChanging"***

  fish,

  What year was this printed? "w042" doesn't help me at all.....

  12 In recent years, politicians have often used the phrase "peace and security" to describe various human schemes

  The WTS has also used this term......and quite often, I might add

  The "information" in paragraph 13 sounds to me like a copout to minimize the WTS former speculations....the birth of a baby and all that. When one is familiar with the wording and phrases of the WTS, it it easy to see how their now "simple explanations" are not as simple as they would like their readers to think.

  14 The coming destruction will be fear-inspiring for faithful Christians watching from the sidelines.

  How refreshing to see that faithful Christians will all be included in this.....and not only baptized JWs!
• 

  blondie

  Quotes from 2000-2004 (2005 CD at home)

  *** w04 2/1 p. 21 "The Scene of This World Is Changing" ***

  12

  In recent years, politicians have often used the phrase "peace and security" to describe various human schemes. They even dubbed 1986 the International Year of Peace, although that year did not live up to its name. Do such efforts by world leaders constitute the complete fulfillment of 1 Thessalonians 5:3, or was Paul referring to a specific event of such dramatic proportions as to claim world attention?

  13

  Since Bible prophecies are often fully understood only after they are fulfilled or are in the process of fulfillment, we will have to wait and see. It is of interest, though, that Paul compared the sudden destruction following the cry of "Peace and security!" to the birth pang of a pregnant woman. Over a period of about nine months, an expectant mother becomes increasingly aware of the baby that is growing within her. She may be able to hear her baby’s heartbeat or feel its movements in the womb. It may even kick her. The signs often become more and more pronounced until, one day, she feels a sharp pain, a pang, indicating that the hoped-for event—the baby’s birth—has arrived. Hence, however the prophesied cry of "Peace and security!" may be fulfilled, it will lead to a sudden, painful, but ultimately blessed event—the destruction of wickedness and the beginning of a new world system.

  *** w03 1/15 p. 27 "Zealous Kingdom Proclaimers" Joyfully Assemble ***

  Timely, indeed, was the public discourse, entitled "The Scene of This World Is Changing." Our day has been marked by dramatic change. The Bible foretold that such conditions, including a cry of "peace and security," would lead up to God’s fear-inspiring day of judgment. (1 Thessalonians 5:3) It will bring about wonderful changes—the end of all wars, crime, violence, and even disease. Rather than trust in this system of things, then, this is the time to pursue godly devotion and maintain chaste conduct.

  *** w00 1/15 pp. 13-14 "Keep on the Watch" ***

  What Lies Ahead?

  19

  What does the future hold for us? Exciting times are yet to come. Paul warned that "Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night." Referring to men who appear to be worldly-wise, he says: "Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them." Hence, Paul urges his readers: "Let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses." (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3, 6) Truly, those who look to human institutions to bring peace and security are ignoring reality. Such individuals are fast asleep!

  *** wt chap. 20 p. 182 Keep Close in Mind Jehovah’s Day ***

  Another highly significant Bible prophecy foretells: "Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3) What form that proclamation of "peace and security" will take remains to be seen. But it will certainly not mean that world leaders have truly solved the problems of mankind. Those who are keeping Jehovah’s day close in mind will not be misled by that proclamation. They know that immediately afterward, sudden destruction will come.

  *** dg part 9 p. 21 How We Know We Are in "the Last Days" ***

  How many Bible prophecies remain to be fulfilled before God destroys this present system? Very few! One of the last is at 1 Thessalonians 5:3, which states: "While they are talking of peace and security, all at once calamity is upon them." (TheNewEnglishBible) This shows that the end of this system will begin "while they are talking." Unforeseen by the world, destruction will strike when least expected, when the attention of humans is on their hoped-for peace and security.
• 

  Sunspot

  You show us that the GB is ready to go any direction they want to with the cry. They will use printed words to
  say it DID happen if that fits their needs. They will use them to say it DID NOT happen yet if that fits their needs.

  OnTheWayOut;

  It appears that after having so MANY failed predictions, prophecies, and speculations....the WTS editors have taken the "safer route" and slickly slide around the thing they print....so that they CAN backtrack in later years when it all turns out to be hogwash.

  They can proudly state that whatever their readers understood from what was said....that they can later claim "we never said that"....and as you said.....it fits their needs.

  Dishonest? You betcha!
• 

  blondie

  They even dubbed 1986 the International Year of Peace, although that year did not live up to its name. Do such efforts by world leaders constitute the complete fulfillment of 1 Thessalonians 5:3, or was Paul referring to a specific event of such dramatic proportions as to claim world attention?

  13

  Since Bible prophecies are often fully understood only after they are fulfilled or are in the process of fulfillment, we will have to wait and see
• 

  Sunspot

  It's not been talked about much lately, but I'm sure it's still a belief

  Someone pointed out on here recently that every day JWs get a little further behind in preaching worldwide, with very little growth among the Witnesses and another 200,000 people to preach to!

  Don't let anyone tell you all of the prophecies have been fulfilled except the "peace and security" cry.

  S4,

  I guess it would still be "a belief" only because the WTS hasn't denounced it as such! Of course....we know they can paint themselves into a corner and have wet paint still on the brush.....but will paint something to cover up the misinformation, LOL!

  They issued a 4-page insert in this years September Kingdom Ministry with 'new light' about the Revelation book. They detailed... I think, 70 changes to the Revelation book

  Zico,

  So....this 4-paged insert was pretty much filled with "new" information ....to cover up the "old" information found in the previous publication? Was this printed to cover their butts, or what?

  Annie
• 

  blondie

  I still encounter JWs even now who talk about the "peace and security" cry as a future bur near prophecy. The WTS has said that would come just before the destruction of Babylon the Great so the 2 events are tied up in their minds.

  The WTS has mentioned this enough in recent years that even new JWs are aware of it. I'm sure after going through the Revelation book, everyone will have it clearly in mind.

  Blondie

  *** re chap. 11 p. 56 Is Your Name in the Book of Life? ***

  Yes, up to this very hour, each one of us, whether of the anointed or of the great crowd, needs to stay alert and fight against drifting into spiritual sleep. When Jehovah’s day comes "as a thief in the night," may we be found wide awake so as to receive a favorable judgment.—1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3; Luke 21:34-36; Revelation 7:9.

  *** re chap. 21 p. 136 Jehovah’s Plagues on Christendom ***

  At the same time, Protestant evangelical groups have worked in Central America to counter what they call the communists’ "vicious and relentless thirst for power." But none of these convulsions in the sea of mankind can bring peace and security.—Compare Isaiah 25:10-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

  *** re chap. 32 pp. 231-232 God’s Anger Brought to a Finish ***

  Echoing this warning, the apostle Paul said: "Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them." Satan is even now maneuvering the nations toward making that false proclamation of "Peace and security!"—1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3.

  *** re chap. 34 pp. 250-251 An Awesome Mystery Solved ***

  Further, it is deeply significant that the world’s religious leaders should join hands with the United Nations in calling for peace at this time. They would like to influence the UN to their own advantage, especially in this modern age when so many of their people are abandoning religion. Like the unfaithful leaders in ancient Israel, they call out, "‘There is peace! There is peace!’ when there is no peace." (Jeremiah 6:14) No doubt their cries for peace will continue, rising in support of the climax concerning which the apostle Paul prophesied: "Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape."—1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3.

  14 What form will this significant cry of "Peace and security!" take? It is here mentioned as being outstanding just before the sudden destruction of those making the cry. Hence, it will have to be something more pronounced than any previous declarations by world leaders. No doubt it will be on an earth-wide scale. Yet, it will be no more than a facade. Underneath, nothing will really have changed. Selfishness, hatred, crime, family breakdown, immorality, sickness, sorrow, and death will still be here. That is why the coming cry will mislead those who are not awake to Bible prophecy. But it need not mislead you, if you have been awake to the meaning of world events and have heeded the prophetic warnings in God’s Word.—Mark 13:32-37; Luke 21:34-36.