Thread: Jehovah's Witnesses: When will the WT Society accept responsibility for

their false 1914 prophecy? Why is the Watchtower Society continuously attempting to conceal their gargantuan blunder about this doctrine? For example, why do pre-November 1995 issues of Awake! state this as the purpose of their publication:

"...Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away."

But after 11/1995, it reads:
"... Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things."

Why the sudden change?

In the past, the Watchtower Society has diffused criticism of their past prophetic failures by professing never to have claimed to be a prophet - an assertion that is simply false. (See Watchtower, 4/1/1972, "The Nations Shall Know that I am Jehovah")

But the Watchtower cannot use this excuse with their 1914 failure -- They even called this prediction for the 1914 generation "Jehovah's prophetic word":

"From a purely human viewpoint, it could appear that these developments could hardly take place before the generation of 1914 disappears from the scene. But fulfillment of all the foretold events affecting the generation of 1914 does not depend on comparatively slow human action. Jehovah's prophetic word through Christ Jesus is: 'This generation [of 1914] will by no means pass away until all things occur.' (Luke 21:32) And Jehovah, who is the source of inspired and unfailing prophecy, will bring about the fulfillment of his Son's words in a relatively short time."

"Just as Jesus' prophecies regarding Jerusalem were fulfilled within the life span of the generation of the year 33 C.E., so his prophecies regarding 'the time of the end' will be fulfilled within the life span of the generation of 1914... Yes, you may live to see this promised New Order, along with survivors of the generation of 1914 - the generation that will not pass away." (Watchtower, 5/15/1984, pp. 6-7).


JWs: Doesn't it seem clear that the WTS is indeed guilty of false prophecy?
http://www.bible.ca/jw-1914-generation.htm
http://www.bible.ca/Jw-inspiration.htm
http://www.bible.ca/Jw-inspiration.htm#UnderstandBibleOrganization
http://www.watchman.org/jw/1914hst2.htm
http://www.cftf.com/1914/index.html#p4

And the 1915 prophecy. And the 1918 one. And, er, the 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975 and 1994 ones...

There isn't any false prophecy. We are not prophets. All prophecy comes from the Scripture. The dates are correct, as was the event spoken of. What we now have is a clearer understanding of is the meaning of the term 'generation' that Christ used in his prophecy.

So you've never adjusted your thinking on anything? That's odd, most people who know they are imperfect have to do it from time to time, The ability to adjust ones understanding comes from being humble. Stiff necked people will never change what they do or say.

For as long as they continue to maintain that Jesus Christ's 'parousia' took place invisibly in 1914, they will refuse to admit there is anything wrong with what they have declared about 1914. They say he became 'present' in heavenly, kingly power, taking up the throne to reign in October that year, but only those with spiritual eyes of discernment (themselves) 'saw' it happen. This is their get-out-clause. It's The King's New Clothes trick.

But they are not stupid and they know it's essential to get their spot-light off 1914 and re-focussed on the coming Great Tribulation. That's what they've been gradually doing over the past two or three decades. Less and less talk about 1914, more and more talk about the Great Tribulation. Less and less talk about the generation alive at 1914, more and more talk about the generation alive when the Great Tribulation starts. It's an old, well tried out tactic that has got them off the hook for over 100 years. New recruits don't recognise it. Old JWs, who know full well that statements that got them into the religion are now discarded, put up and shut up. Why? Because they've invested so much negative spiritual equity in this belief-system, they feel trapped.