Jehovah’s Witnesses have had wrong
expectations about when the end would come. Like Jesus’ first-century
disciples, we have sometimes looked forward to the fulfillment of
prophecy ahead of God’s timetable. (Luke 19:11; Acts 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2)
We agree with the sentiment of longtime Witness A. H. Macmillan, who
said: “I learned that we should admit our mistakes and continue
searching God’s Word for more enlightenment.”
Why, then, do we continue to highlight the nearness of the end?
Because we take seriously Jesus’ words: “Keep looking, keep awake.” The
alternative, to be found “sleeping” by Jesus, would prevent us from
gaining his favor. (Mark 13:33, 36) Why?
Consider this example: A lookout in a fire tower might see what he
thinks is a wisp of smoke on the horizon and sound what proves to be a
false alarm. Later, though, his alertness could save lives.
Likewise, we have had some wrong expectations about the end. But we
are more concerned with obeying Jesus and saving lives than with
avoiding criticism. Jesus’ command to “give a thorough witness” compels
us to warn others about the end.—Acts 10:42.
We believe that even more important than focusing on when the end will come, we must be confident that it will come, and we must act accordingly. We take seriously the words of Habakkuk 2:3,
which says: “Even if [the end] should delay [compared to what you
thought], keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true.
It will not be late.”
The question everyone must stop and ask is: WHY would they say this?
Why would they admit they got predictions wrong?
If this is Jehovah's Organization, they cannot get things wrong. If they are not Jehovah's Organization, then they should not be admitting this. So something is up.
They said Jesus returned invisibly in 1914 to judge the world and that the end would come any time, now that the year 2014 is just around the corner, it means Jesus has not "immediately" returned 100 years. This could mark some sort of easing transition the Watchtower is trying to make in
maybe abandoning 1914 (see the link) or something similar.
This whole admission is fishy, because the JWs were founded on predicting dates and founded on the idea they are the only ones preaching the truth that the end is coming any time now. They made themselves by saying Jesus would return within a "generation," which first was 30 years, then 70, and now we're at 99 years. SOMETHING is fishy.
8 comments:
Anyone that questions the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses will be labeled an "opposer" and a heretic or apostate by the members.
Then the extreme shunning and isolation of that person will follow. Even family members will refuse to speak to the person. Some have even committed suicide as a result. --
Danny Haszard Bangor Maine
Well, it's time for the missionaries targeting the Jehovah's Witnesses to start coming out of the woodwork.
Millions of neo-Arians being brought into the Orthodox Church is a very attractive idea to me. Hmm...
Lord have mercy!
Hi Danny--you wrote:
"Then the extreme shunning and isolation of that person will follow. Even family members will refuse to speak to the person. Some have even committed suicide as a result."
Chilling. I expect, however, that an appeal might be made to Titus 1--
[10] As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him,
[11] knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
--to justify shunning.
What's the humane way to interpret and implement this passage...?
JWs get their dates wrong all the time. No surprise there. Thanks for defending the TRUE faith
I really don't want to be picky here but I am going to. It struck me that the author of this website did not read and understand what the Watchtower actually said. After quoting from that magazine the author said (ALL CAPITALS MINE of emphasis)
“Why would they admit they got PREDICTIONS wrong? “
The article said nothing at all about predictions, it used the wording
“have had WRONG EXPECTATIONS “
There is a clear difference between a prediction and an explanation.
the WTS (JWs) never predicted anything they just gave their understanding (explanations) on what some Bible prophecy was all about. They even tell why they have had such underthings the article said
“Because we take seriously Jesus’ words: “Keep looking, keep awake.” The alternative, to be found “sleeping” by Jesus, would prevent us from gaining his favor. “
Your_Word_is_truth, that isn't so. That they interpreted Scripture doesn't mean they didn't their by also make predictions, predictions they claim guidance from God on - Indeed, just as often, they attribute specific books or claims or predictions to God, not just claiming to be guided in general. Does this rise to the level of false prophecy? I think so. If not, it is more than mere imprudence, and in any event shows their organization to have no ability to interpret prophecy. In which case, there I and reason to accept their present predictions and prophetic inteptetaions, including those that they claim show God has established them as their sole spokesman.
To be fair, they sometimes, indeed often, speak of these predictions and prophetic interpretations as being but sincere conjecture, but quite often speak differently. In short, they're talking out of both sides of their mouth, they want their cake and to eat it too.
See: https://tobeholdthyface.blogspot.com/2017/12/no-loopholes-allowed.html and the following two posts (where I produce numerous quotations from their literature).
Sean,
The GB have never prophecied anything. Have they made mistakes. Of course they have. Even the disciples in the first century made mistakes. They changed their minds on some teaching, there is even a case of what, using your terminology was a false prophecy. It wasn't in reality as it was more a misunderstanding of what Jesus said, but a saying went out to all the people that something was going to happen and it never did.
No, the WTS has never prophesied anything at all. They have offered explanations of Bible prophecy that have been incorrect.
Here are a few you-tube videos to watch that cover that subject
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOOia8dHTGA false alarm effect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTRE0jLGBz8 are JWs prophets
And there are a few more at that site
If I have time beyond work and my usual studies, I'll take a look at these. Judging by the description of one video, I suspect that they'll try to equate what Witness leaders have done with what some disciples did when they mistakenly thought St. John wouldn't die. (If you look at the specifics of what Witness leaders have said, I don't think you can pull this supposed parallel off.)
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