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In the February 2008 Watchtower, The Society has just issued “new light” on the understanding of what Jesus meant by “this generation….” at Matt 24: 34 and Luke 21: 32.

The understanding from 1995 until this Feb 2008 Watchtower article was that “this generation“ is the contemporary wicked world that fails to discern the evidence of Christ‘s presence since 1914 - it was categorically stated that the generation is not true Christians. Now, the new understanding is that the “generation“ is all anointed Christians from 1914 until the end! This is a 180 degree flip flop from one black and white view to the other.

This so-called “new light” is pitiful to say the least. The Society have embarrassingly exposed themselves again as being quite happy to twist otherwise obvious scriptural meanings into nonsense in order to try and fit Jesus’ plain words around their erroneous 1914 chronology.

Contrary to the Watchtower's claims since 1995, Jesus did indeed mean “this generation” to be a marker of time. The Society's ongoing struggle to try and understand what Jesus meant by this "generation" is completely unnecessary, since it is not the meaning of what "this generation" is that is the problem - it is the false date 1914 to which the Society have pegged the term to. As long as they continue to cling to 1914 for when "this generation" began they will continue to embarass themselves with such nonsensical and unconvincing interpretations.

It's as simple as this: The contemporary “generation” Jesus spoke about - being his own listening disciples AND the wicked Israelite nation around about him (not one or the other) - saw the fulfillment of his words in 70ce when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. Therefore, the “generation” Jesus spoke about on the Mt of Olives saw “all these things occur” over a space of 37 years from when Jesus uttered the prophecy in 33ce. Jesus' words are thus in accord with the general OT scriptural definition of “generation” as being 40 years in length, highlighting the harmony of God’s inspired word. (Please see this exceptional article http://www.bric.uk.com/Appendix.html#App10).

Here are the salient paragraphs from the February 2008 article explaining this so-called “new light”:


The Generation Seeing the Sign

10 Previously, this journal has explained that in the first century, "this generation" mentioned at Matthew 24:34 meant "the contemporaneous generation of unbelieving Jews."* That explanation seemed reasonable because all other recorded uses that Jesus made of the term "generation" had a negative connotation, and in most cases, Jesus used a negative adjective, such as "wicked," to describe the generation. (Matt. 12:39; 17: 17; Mark 8:38) Thus, it was felt that in the modern-day fulfilment, Jesus was referring to the wicked "generation" of unbelievers who would see both the features that would characterize "the conclusion of the system of things" (syn-te'lei-a) and the system's end (te'/os).

11 It is true that when Jesus used the word "generation" negatively, he was speaking to or about the wicked people of his day. But was that necessarily true of his statement re-corded at Matthew 24:34? Recall that four of Jesus' disciples had approached him "privately." (Matt. 24:3) Since Jesus did not use negative qualifiers when speaking to them about "this generation," the apostles would no doubt have understood that they and their fellow disciples were to be part of the "generation" that would not pass away "until all these things [would] occur."

12 On what basis may we draw that conclusion? By carefully considering the context. As recorded at Matthew 24:32, 33, Jesus said: "Now learn from the fig tree as an illustration this point: Just as soon as its young branch grows tender and it puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. Likewise also you, when you see all these things, know that he is near at the doors." (Compare Mark 13:28-30; Luke 21:30-32.) Then, at Matthew 24:34, we read: "Truly 1 say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur."

13 Jesus said that it was his disciples, soon to be anointed with holy spirit, who should be able to draw certain conclusions when they saw "all these things" occur. So Jesus must have been referring to his disciples when he made the statement: "This genera-tion will by no means pass away until all these things occur."

14 "Unlike unbelievers, Jesus' disciples would not only see the sign but also under-stand its significance. They would "learn" from the features of that sign and "know" their true meaning. They would fully appreciate that "he is near at the doors." While it is true that both unbelieving Jews and faithful anointed Christians saw a limited fulfilment of Jesus' words in the first century, only his anointed followers back then could learn from these events—could understand the true meaning of what they saw.

15 Those without spiritual understanding today have felt that there has been no "strik-ing observableness" with regard to the sign of Jesus' presence. They reason that every-thing is continuing on as it did in the past. (2 Pet. 3:4) On the other hand, Christ's faithful anointed brothers, the modern-day John class, have recognized this sign as if it were a flash of lightning and have understood its true meaning. As a class, these anointed ones make up the modern-day "generation" of contemporaries that will not pass away "until all these things occur."* This suggests that some who are Christ's anointed brothers will still be alive on earth when the foretold great tribulation begins.

*The time period during which "this generation" lives seems to correspond to the period covered by the first vision in the book of Revelation. (Rev. 1:10-3:22) This feature of the Lord's day extends from 1914 until the last of the faithful anointed ones dies and is resurrected.—See Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! page 24, paragraph 4.
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Here is a brief history of the Society‘s interpretations of “this generation” (adapted from and thanks to an article on The Watchman Expositor website):

1889 - Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the Watchtower Society, teaches that Armageddon would occur in 1914.3
1950 - The Watchtower teaches that Christ returned to earth invisibly in 1914.4
1950 - The Watchtower emphasizes that the thirty-six years between 1914 and 1950 have drawn the world closer to Armageddon occurring before the generation alive in 1914 pass away.5
1961 - The Society states, "The foretold events having begun A.D. 1914, the generation of mankind that is still alive from that year is the generation meant by Christ."6
1967 - The Society changes the meaning of "generation" to include only those individuals who were alive in 1914 and able to view the events with understanding.7
1968 - The Society specifies that the age of understanding is 15 or older, meaning that Armageddon will occur before all those who were 15 or older in 1914 have passed away.8
1984 - The Society extends the "generation of 1914" to include all individuals who were babies during that year.9
1988 - The Society states that a biblical generation consists of 75 years.10 Thus, 75 years from 1914 comes to 1989, marking the potential end of that generation.
1988 - Later in 1988, the Society revises its definition of generation, referring to a range of 70-80 years. Thus, the "generation of 1914" could be extended until
1995 Nov 1 Watchtower p.19 -
“Therefore, in the final fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy today, "this generation" apparently refers to the peoples of the earth who see the sign of Christ's presence but fail to mend their ways. In contrast, we as Jesus' disciples refuse to be molded by the life-style of "this generation."
1999 May 1 Watchtower (reconfirms the 1995 position) -
“When would the end come? What did Jesus mean when he said: 'This generation [Greek, ge.ne.a'] will not pass away'? Jesus had often called the contemporaneous mass of opposing Jews, including religious leaders, 'a wicked, adulterous generation.' So when, on the Mount of Olives, he again spoke of 'this generation,' he evidently did not mean the entire race of Jews throughout history; nor did he mean his followers, even though they were 'a chosen race.' Neither was Jesus saying that 'this generation' is a period of time“.


References
3 Charles Taze Russell, Thy Time is at Hand, vol. 2 of Studies in the Scriptures (Allegheny, Pa: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1889), pp. 76-78, 98-99. The date 1914 was changed to 1915 in later editions.
4 "Who Will Share in the Final Witness?" The Watchtower, January 15 (1950), p. 22.
5 "Use the Remaining Time Wisely," The Watchtower, November 15 (1950), p. 419.
6 "Hope of Survival Faces the Problem," The Watchtower, April 15 (1961), p. 236.
7 "Where are We According to God's Timetable?" The Watchtower, May 1 (1967), p. 262.
8 Awake! October 8 (1968), pp. 13-14.
9 "1914 - The Generation that will not Pass Away," The Watchtower, May 15 (1984), p. 5.
10 "The Last Days - What's Next?" Awake! April 8 (1988), p. 14.
11 Insight on the Scriptures, vol. 1, (New York: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1988), pp. 917-18.
12 "A Time to Keep Awake," The Watchtower, November 1 (1995), p. 19.


Kind regards
Scattered sheep

Apparently there is some quote from a Wt. Publication dating around 1927 or 28 that describes 'this generation' as refering to the anointed, sorry but I don't have the exact reference.

One of the concerns about this type of statement has to do with the level of teaching it takes on in the religion.

When you write in an organic or wholistic style it is difficult for the reader to know if the statement is now a Church Doctrine or a lesser teaching such as a theory or hypothesis. In many Churches where they have Creeds or deliniate Doctrine from theory this is easier to distinguish.

Hi, Designs. Yeah, you're right. So, Schroeder wasn't really introducing anything brand new, after all, was he? (BTW, I always really love reading your posts.) But, at the very least, he was "reaching back into that hat," and pulling out a rabbit that hadn't seen the light of day for a good while, huh? :scratchhead:

And, you know how JW's are. They can't wait to devour any crumb from Brooklyn-On-High, treating it as manna from heaven. ***sigh***

W 15. Feb. 1927, p. 62
Question: In Matthew 24:34 Jesus said: "Verily I
say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all
these things be fulfilled." What did he mean by "this
generation" ?
Answer: It could hardly be said that he meant any
human being living on the earth at that time. He was
giving testimony concerning things that were to transspire
at the end of the world. That was a long way off.
No generation of the human race has ever existed as
long as a thousand years. It follows then that Jesus
must have meant something else. What could he have
meant ? At the Jordan Jehovah started a new generation,
a new creation, of which Christ Jesus is the Head.
Jesus selected twelve disciples, who were with him for
three and one-half years. Eleven of these we have
every reason to believe constitute a part of that new creation.
In 1 Peter 2:9 the apostle, speaking to the church
of course, referred to those who are faithful. The irresistible
conclusion therefore is that Jesus referred to
the new creation when he said: "This generation shall
not pass until all these things be fulfilled." This then
would be a strong indication that some members of the
new creation will be on the earth at the time of Armageddon.

So it's not 'new light' at all - it's an OLD light that's been flickering for 80 years! :readthis: :funnyface:
I can only imagine the grateful comments about how timely and insightful is this information from the faithful slave... :dontknow:

*SIGH*

Hopefully, there will be many who will be disturbed enough about all this as to want to delve into it a bit further.:(:read:I'm so glad I know what I know now!How blind those so called guides are!
Agape,
sis Grateful

Isoman, Justica,

Thanks.

Billy, There was a Wt. magazine a few years ago that introduced the Noah generation time line into the Last Days scenario.

Being overly concerned with the "When" question seems to be a natural part of human curiosity. The Disciples at the Ascension asked Jesus the "When" question and he gave them the answer- 'It does not belong to you to get knowledge of the times and seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction' Acts 1:7

That only partially stopped the Christian Faith from trying to figure it out. Groups and individuals have consistently tried to calculate the 'When' and devised all sorts of unlocked mystery schemes. There have been more dates for 'When' than Carter has pills. Some have gone to sources outside the Bible to calculate the 'When'. CTRussell got fascinated with some British Zionists and Pyramidists theories.

All Believers should yearn for the fullfillment of God's promises and trust they will be completely fulfilled and live every day doing the Lord's will caring for others to the best of our abilities, Acts 1:8+.
We have the Comforter with us always in this journey as promised.

"Yes, I am coming quickly" 'Amen! Come Lord Jesus" Rev.22:20

It is sufficient.

agape

designs

Everytime new (old) light flashes up, people leave the organization. It must be so disheartening especially for older members of the congregations. My mom is 61 years old and honestly never thought I would grow up in this "system of things". She told me the other day she will probably get old and die before the end. That was so depressing! I told her that I probably would grow old and die too. We just simply dont know the day or the hour.

Christ told us no one knows the day or the hour--only the Father. So why the constant speculation? I know us humans are just impatient. It will come at the right time.

This was on the May 1 2007 KM.

"However, genuine anointed Christians do not demand special attention. They do not believe that their being of the anointed gives them special “insights,” beyond what even some of experienced members of the great crowd may have. They do not believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the other sheep have; nor do they expect special treatment or claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed elders in the congregation."

Some six months later we have this.

"On the other hand, Christ's faithful anointed brothers, the modern-day John class, have recognized this sign as if it were a dash of lightning and have understood its true meaning."


AR

the wto said they added 120 yrs to 1914 and come up with 2034, 120 yrs being the amount of time that Noah preached as he was building the ark.

:clap: Greetings fellow slaves!! :clap:

:shocked: This is not new light, it is new vomit. Id rather watch Days of our Lives. :shocked:

May LOVE be with you!

your bro -- beau! :friends::friends::friends:

Hi wasblind,:hibye:

You're right, humans are all too impatient - but then again, perhaps that is why the carrot of imminent salvation works so well.

Perhaps that's why they refer to "generation" as a lifespan of people, but Jesus had referred to another form of "generation" in his previous sentence, which gives a more straightforward meaning.

http://www.worshipJehovah.org//Arts/6Sup...ration.asp



It's sad that there is so much reliance placed on prophesy, just to keep people interested. We all love God, don't we - we don't need to know what all of the prophecies mean to have confidence that Jehovah will provide for us, now and in the future. No disrespect, but I think the WatchTower could be closer to fine worship - and certainly be less self-absorbed - if they focused on what was important in God's eyes. All those real lovers of God in the kindgom halls and elsewhere certainly deserve it.

Best wishes to you all,

Acts5v29

Hi folks!
Jesus use of the phrase "this generation" has always had time connotations, both with the early Christians, and with JWs. They have always exploited this concept, to instill a sense of urgency in the flocks. The problem with this new explanation, it that they are attempting to remove the time element, by saying that the generation is the anointed alive during the time of the end, and not necessarily alive at the beginning in 1914! That way they can keep their 1914 dogma alive, while still retaining a sense of urgency... How ever, there is no way you can remove the time connotation from the phrase "this generation". Thats why Jesus used it. Otherwise, it has little or no meaning. Basically what they are saying is, that there will be some of Christ's brothers alive, up to and through the Great Tribulation........ DUH!

And the congregation says, "Amen, to the great Slave!"