PROGRESSIVE
WATCHTOWER LIGHT (from 1968-present) ON “THIS GENERATION”
In 1968 the youngest of the 1914
generation were 15 years old.
"Jesus was obviously speaking about those who were old enough
to witness with understanding what took place when the 'last days'
began. ... Even if we presume that youngsters 15 years of age would
be perceptive enough to realize the import of what happened in 1914,
it would still make the youngest of 'this generation' nearly 70
years old today." (Awake! Oct 8, 1968 p13)
In 1978 the youngest of the 1914 generation were
clearly not babies
"Thus, when it comes to the application in our time, the
"generation" logically would not apply to babies born
during World War I. It applies to Christ's followers and others who
were able to observe that war and the other things that have occurred
in fulfillment of Jesus' composite "sign.""
(Watchtower Oct 1, 1978 p31)
In 1980 the youngest of the 1914 generation were
revised to 10 year olds.
"As indicated by an article on page 56 of U.S. News &
World Report of January 14, 1980, "If you assume that 10 is the
age at which an event creates a lasting impression on a person's
memory," then there are today more than 13 million Americans who
have a "recollection of World War I."" (Watchtower Oct
15, 1980 p31)
In 1984 the youngest of the 1914 generation were
reduced to babies.
"If Jesus used "generation" in that sense and we
apply it to 1914, then the babies of that generation are now 70 years
old or older. And others alive in 1914 are in their 80's or 90's, a
few even having reached a hundred. There are still many millions of
that generation alive." (Watchtower May 15, 1984 p5)
In 1988 the youngest were babies that were born
in 1914
"Likewise today, most of the generation of 1914 has passed
away. However, there are still millions on earth who were born in
that year or prior to it." (Watchtower April 8, 1988 p14)
In 1995 age no longer was a factor in determining
the 1914 generation
“Rather than provide a rule for measuring time, the term
“generation” as used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary
people of a certain historical period, with their identifying
characteristics.” – Watchtower Nov 1, 1995, p.20.
Finally in 2010 the 1914 generation overlaps.
“How, then, are we to understand Jesus’ words about “this
generation”? He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who
were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would
overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start
of the great tribulation. That generation had a beginning, and it
surely will have an end. The fulfillment of the various features of
the sign clearly indicate that the tribulation must be near. By
maintaining your sense of urgency and keeping on the watch, you show
that you are keeping up with advancing light and following the
leadings of holy spirit.—Mark 13:37.“ Watchtower 04/15, 2010
Article: Holy Spirit’s Role in the Outworking of Jehovah’s
Purpose
