Brothers (sisters) .
As you may, or may not be aware, I am currently studying with the Witnesses again, from the Bible primarily, and it is agreed between myself and my study conductor that material will be examined relative to REVELATION 8. The scene of immediate particular interest: that immediately prior to the 7 TRUMPET BLASTS. Now I have a book from 1969 interpreting Revelation that I studied as a youth (Though my study conductor, of course, is ignorant of that fact. Lol) This book is called THEN IS FINISHED THE MYSTERY OF GOD (1969).
Now, talking about the period immediately prior to the first TRUMPET BLAST this book states:
QUOTE/ As the historic facts show. Gods tremendous pre Armageddon work was by no means finished at that date as regards the later ingathering of the great crowd. Reasonably then, the time for the opening of the 7 th seal would be at the start of this period. Let us accordingly locate ourselves at the start of the post war period at the transition from the year 1918 to 1919. From this standpoint we watch what the Apostle John saw.
And when he opened the 7 th seal a silence occurred in heaven for about half an hour . Silence in heaven for about half an hour! But why? It was evidently a time for prayer to be heard from the earth. At the temple in earthly Jerusalem the offering of incense by the priest took about a half an hour. During this time the people worshipping outside kept silence while they engaged in mental prayer......."
A couple of questions, Brethren. I need input.
What HISTORICAL FACTS is he talking about that demonstrate the correctness of his claims that 1919 was significant?
Why is it REASONABLE that the 7 th seal was opened at the start of 1919?
Why is it EVIDENT that the half hour silence in heaven equals the remorseful prayers of the Remnant in 1919?
Page 212 of this 1969 book claims that certain WATCHTOWER ARTICLES were significant, at this time, in fulfilling Revelation by HURLING FIRE TO THE EARTH . The book says:
QUOTE / ....The fire of the heated issue of Gods Kingdom was thrust upon the earthly stage by the Remnant in 1919, undoubtedly under angelic guidance, yes under Christs guidance. Testifying to that fact are articles in issues of the Watchtower that year, such as HERALDS OF THE KINGDOM KILLED (May 1, 1919). KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AT HAND (May 15, 1919). THE KINGDOM OF GOD ( August 1, 1919). ANNOUNCING THE KINGDOM ( Sept 15, 1919)......
In the next breath, these are likened to:
QUOTE/ ..... EXPRESSIONS OF GODS SUPERNATURAL POWER..thunders, voices, lightnings, and AN EARTHQUAKE. There were thunderous storm warnings. Stormy voices, or sounds.....
We get the picture. However brothers, I have a slight problem. It is in reference to the More recent book interpreting Revelation: REVELATION, ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND ( 1988). Speaking of this exact same period, THIS book says on page 131:
QUOTE/ .....The sincere Christians of the John class were perplexed. What did God want them to do next? When would they be taken up to heaven? An article entitled "The Harvest Ended-What Shall Follow?" appeared in the May 1, 1919, issue of TheWatchTower. It reflected this state of uncertainty and encouraged the faithful to continued endurance......
And:
QUOTE/ ..... But notwithstanding the momentary discouragement, there was a burning desire to proclaim the message of the kingdom."-See the September 15, 1919, issue of TheWatchTower, page 280........
Now brothers, (and sisters) my concern is that the WATCHTOWER articles of PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE in the 1969 book are DIFFERENT from the ones mentioned ( and assumedly significant) in the 1989 book.
What I need to know is, have the articles quoted from the 1969 book FALLEN FROM GRACE in terms of significance? Are they now perhaps considered to be among the APOSTATE WRITINGS from that period that we continually hear about?
Inquiring minds would know.
Anyway Let us press on:
Page 213 of the 1969 book Includes a Witness convention in 1919, That at Cedar Point, as of PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE:
QUOTE/.. .... Notable that year was the week long general convention at Cedar Point, Ohio. The public talk THE HOPE OF DISTRESSED HUMANITY was given Sunday Afternoon, September 7 th , by the then President, J.F.Rutherford.
In the very next paragraph, terms such as " Divine lightnings of enlightenment flash to illuminate Bible Prophecies and Truths". are used referring to this speech and the "WORLD SHAKING" aftermath that it unleashed. Lol.
That is from the 1969 book brothers. Now all this is fair enough ..(sisters).. except for one thing. The 1989 book states on page 131:
QUOTE/ ....at Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A. Joseph F. Rutherford, recently released from prison and soon to be completely exonerated, boldly addressed that convention, saying: "Obedient to the command of our Master, and recognizing our privilege and duty to make war against the strongholds of error which have so long held the people in bondage, our vocation was and is to announce the incoming glorious kingdom of Messiah." That is the primary issue-God's Kingdom!.
And:
QUOTE/ ....the speaker said: "So pitiless was the onslaught of the enemy that many of the Lord's dear flock were stunned and stood still in amazement, praying and waiting for the Lord to indicate his will. . . . But notwithstanding the momentary discouragement, there was a burning desire to proclaim the message of the kingdom."-See the September 15, 1919, issue of TheWatchTower, page 280........
Brothers.
This more recent book doesnt even MENTION the WORLD SHAKING effect of the DIVINE LIGHTNING of JF Rutherfords talk " THE HOPE OF DISTRESSED HUMANITY".
Why is that? Is Rutherfords speech now redundant? Or is it that it doesnt matter WHAT the Org said in 1919..... it was PROPHETICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
Can someone of the ranks of the anointed offer council??
Edited by - refiners fire on 11 February 2003 4:8:22