I've had this thought for quite a while and wonder if fits with the recent talk about the WTS claiming that Matt. 24:14 has been fulfilled. My thought was this --- In the wake of the recent cutbacks at Bethel, scaling back of literature, and other cost cutting measures, could the WTS be preparing the r&f for the complete or massive reduction of literature that would normally be placed with "householders?" As we all know, the WTS is bleeding red ink. Everything they have done over the last several years points to this fact. In order for them to survive, they must reduce expenditures while at the same time keeping roughly the same amount of cash flow coming in. By eliminating all of the WT's printed over a count of ~15 million, this number would just cover the amount of publishers and their families and studies. They could do away with the Awake altogether. Other literature items could be scaled back to just cover the publishers and family.
I remember a few years ago trying to guess what steps the WTS would take to cut back on expenses(scaling back the Awake to once a month!). Applying Matt. 24:14 was genius. I never even thought of that route. What a great way to eliminate a wasteful printing program. Tie it into bible prophecy - the r&f will easily fall for that excuse. Plus, it covers over the fact that they are getting killed with their expenses. The jdubs will never know what is really going on. They will simply get all fired up that the work is ending and armageddon is sooo close now! I wouldn't be surprised if they just used tracts out in service, if they continue to go out in service. I imagine that there will still be some sort of field activity to qualify brothers for work and to keep tabs on the r&f's "faith meter."
So, what do you think? Plausible? Or could there be another reason for these talks? Remember, how could these talks be tied to money? Answer that question, and I think we'll find where they are heading.