The Watchtower Study Edition, March 15, 2015, Pages 8-10:
In recent years, the spiritual instruction provided by Jehovah’s organization has reflected an increased emphasis on simplicity and clarity. Consider three examples. First, there is the simplified edition of The Watchtower. This edition has proved to be, in effect, a loving gift to those who struggle with language or find reading a challenge.
As we might expect, over the years Jehovah has helped “the faithful and discreet slave” to become steadily more discreet. Discretion has led to greater caution when it comes to calling a Bible account a prophetic drama unless there is a clear Scriptural basis for doing so.
Additionally, it has been found that some of the older explanations about types and antitypes are unduly difficult for many to grasp. The details of such teachings—who pictures whom and why—can be hard to keep straight, to remember, and to apply. Of even greater concern, though, is that the moral and practical lessons of the Bible accounts under examination may be obscured or lost in all the scrutiny of possible antitypical fulfillments. Thus, we find that our literature today focuses more on the simple, practical lessons about faith, endurance, godly devotion, and other vital qualities that we learn about from Bible accounts.
So that's why I am starting a new series of posts on this website entitled "Simplified Suggestions." I'll be giving suggestions to the Governing Body for much simpler, accurate, interpretations based on the context. Now, for this first post in this series, it will be all about...
The Generation of 1914 (Matthew 24:34) -- Simplified Suggestion
My Simplified Suggestion for this topic is larger than most of these suggestion posts will be, because there are so many good, valid interpretation options that are much better than the current "Overlapping Generation."
The current "Overlapping Generation" doctrine is that there are TWO groups of Anointed who make up the one generation. The first group are the Anointed who were alive to be eyewitnesses of the events in 1914. The second group are any of the Anointed who received their anointing while the first group were still alive. In theory, this could push Armageddon to 2060, 2070, or even 2080. But it doesn't really have any Biblical support whatsoever.
From 1995 until 2010 or so, the Society said that the generation was any wicked people who saw the signs since 1914 and refused to repent.
Prior to 1995, the Society said that the generation were all the people born in 1914.
Going back even further, into the 1970's, The Watchtower Society said this generation was all the people who were eyewitnesses of the events of 1914.
So here are my Simplified Suggestions:
- Say that "this Generation" simply refers to all of the Anointed, and Jesus was saying there would always be some faithful Anointed Christians on earth. (Matthew 28:20)
- Say that "this Generation" refers to the entire Christian Congregation replacing Israel as God's "chosen race." (1 Peter 2:9)
- Say that "this Generation" only applied to the people living while Jesus was speaking, and this was fulfilled in 70 A.D. (Use their new Types/Antitypes Rule to justify this change)
- Say that "this Generation" begins with the Cry of Peace & Security/Outbreak of the Tribulation. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5)
- Say that "this Generation" refers to wicked religious leaders/clergy such as the Pharisees. Jesus was saying unfortunately the clergy would always be with us until the Tribulation. (Acts 20:29)
- Say that "this Generation" refers to the foundation of the"Disgusting Thing"(United Nations) on October 24th, 1945, and that a generation is around 100 years.
- Say that "this Generation" was referring to the Jewish people. As part of God's unconditional promise to Abraham, God feels obligated to keep some Jews alive at all times so they have the opportunity to hear the Good News and be saved. (Romans 11)