Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: gross@dg-rtp.dg.com (Gene Gross) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses, part 2 Message-ID: Date: 10 Nov 90 13:27:36 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Data General Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC Lines: 142 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu To answer the question, "What happened in 1925?", let us pretend that we are Jehovah's Witnesses living in the early 1920s. Our message is: Millions Now Living Will Never Die! That is also the title of a book we distribute door-to-door. The book tells us that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will rise from the dead soon, in 1925: "There fore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews chapter eleven, to the condition of human perfection." ('Millions Now Living Will Never Die,' 1920, pp. 89, 90). The Watchtower Society says we should put our own interests aside and spend more time preaching this "good news." We don't have time to do other things--the end is so very near! Isn't it strange how some people can doubt the Watchtower's predictions about the year 1925? After all, 'The Watchtower' of April 1, 1923, said: "1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures... As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith than Noah had...upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge." (p. 106). And again, here in 'The Watchtower' of July 15, 1924, page 211, we read: "The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly marked in the Scriptures, even more clearly than that of 1914." Finally 1925 arrives; we can hardly wait to open our January issue of 'The Watchtower'! Here on page 3 it says: "The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during this year." Oh yes, this is truly our hope, based on the Society's interpretation of the Scriptures to us! Now, let's read on. The Society says: "This may be accomplished. It may not be." It may not be!? What!? Didn't the Society say it was the Scriptures that foretold the year 1925? Many of us have sold our homes, others have quit school to do this work full time! What will our friends and neighbors think? Yes, the Society mislead many to believe that 1925 was a Bible date indicating the return of the ancient Hebrew princes. When individual Witnesses became upset and demanded an explanation for the failure of these princes to arrive on time, 'The Watchtower' (Sept. 1, 1925, p. 262) said this: "It is to be expected that Satan will try to inject into the minds of the consecrated the thought that 1925 should see an end of the work, and that therefore it would be needless for them to do more." The Society not only met with prophetic disaster in 1914 and 1925, but during World War II as well. As you may already know, the Society misrepresented the chaos of WWI by claiming it was Armageddon. But what about WWII? At the present time, the Society denies that it prophesied the end during WWII as they had during WWI. In the 'Kingdom Ministry,' January 1968, p. 5, it says: "During World War I God's people expected it to lead directly into Armageddon, but Jehovah prevented such a climax at that time. We didn't succumb to such an expectation during World War II." Is this a true statement? Well, here is what the Society said in 'Consolation,' October 29, 1941, p. 11: "Meantime the German people are awakening to their horrible predicament...the near future will bring and is already hastening to bring them--Armageddon, the battle of that great day of God Almighty." But the evidence does not end here. The Society did connect WWII with Armageddon. They predicted the destruction of Germany, not by the Allied nations, but by Jehovah God! In the December issue of 'The Watchtower' magazine, they were extremely specific and made these points: 1. WWII will not end in decisive victory for either side because the Bibleprophecy will not allow it. (December 15, 1941, p. 372) 2. America and England will turn into dictatorships. (December 15, 1941, p. 372) 3. The end of Nazi rule will mark the end of demon rule. In other words, God will rule when the Nazis are defeated. (December 15, 1941, p. 377) All of these prophecies deceived many. Today, the Society claims not to have linked WWII with Armageddon. Yet their own magazines say otherwise. There were other things that the Society said about WWII as well. The booklet 'Judge Rutherford Uncovers Fifth Column' said in 1940 that the Nazis would destroy the British Empire: "...I [Judge Rutherford] stated that the Nazis and Fascists were bent upon destroying the British Empire, and that that would be accomplished." (p. 15). They said in the September 15, 1941 issue of 'The Watchtower' (p. 288) that it was just a matter of "the reamining months before Armageddon." As I have already pointed out, the Society prophesied the return of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for 1925. Few people are aware of the fact, however, that the Society fell into the same false teaching during WWII. According to 'Consolation,' May 27, 1942, on page 13, these ancient Hebrew princes were due to return from the dead "any day now." It seems to me that their day and Armageddon are long overdue! The Society has not ceased to have problems with WWII. For quite a number of years, the Society remained prophetically quiet. Then in the August 15, 1968 issue of 'The Watchtower' appeared an article titled "Why are you looking forward to 1975?" This article set the stage for the next major prophecy from the Society for Armageddon and the end of things. The text of this article was based upon a speech given by Fred Franz, then vice president of the Organization, now President since the death of Nathan Knorr. The premise is that 6,000 years of man's existence upon earth would occur in 1975. Then in the 'Kingdom Ministry' for June 1969, we find the following statements: "In view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous. Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarships or employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests first." (page 3) Then again in the 'Kingdom Ministry' for May 1974, we find these statements: "Yes, the end of this system is so very near! Is that not reason to increase your activity? Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service [note: pioneering is full-time ministry]. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end. -- 1 John 2:17. Circumstances such as poor health or responsibilities with your family may limit what you can do in the field ministry. And yet, the pioneer ranks include many who have health limitations, as well as some persons with families." When 1975 came and went without the end of the world, many Witnesses were left holding the bag so to speak. They were very upset and had every right to be. Let me quote again from 'The Watchtower.' This time from the April 1, 1972 issue, page 197, "Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a "prophet" of God. It is another thing to prove it. The only way that this can be done is to review the record. What does it show?" Now, I've presented the record. Will one of the Witnesses on the net please explain this record to me and others on the net? If the Society presents the truth of Jehovah God to the world, then please explain this lack of accurate prophecy. Standing on the Solid Rock, Gene Gross