David Splane grapples with the "overlapping generation" teaching in a new video
David Splane grapples with the “overlapping generation” teaching in a new video

The September JW Broadcasting episode is now available on tv.jw.org, and for any avid follower of goings-on at Watchtower this month’s offering from the ‘faithful and discreet slave’ is a must-watch.

Governing Body member David Splane addresses his audience on one of the many subjects best swept under the rug by Watchtower – the incomprehensible “overlapping generation” teaching.

Simply put, this teaching (which first appeared in the April 15, 2010 Watchtower) is a hastily-contrived get-out-of-jail-free card for the failed 1914 “this generation” teaching.

For decades Watchtower publications insisted that Armageddon was imminent because, they argued, the generation of anointed Witnesses (who believed they were going to heaven) who witnessed and understood the events of 1914 would not die out before Armageddon arrived.

This claim was based on Matthew 24:34, where Jesus told his followers that the generation that witnessed various apocalyptic signs would not die out until all his words, including the “great tribulation” (the prelude to Armageddon), came true.

So certain was Watchtower of this claim that it even had it included in its masthead for the Awake! magazine…

awake-page-4-generation-masthead-oct-1995-tn

That is, until they quietly changed the masthead to read as follows…

awake-page-4-masthead-nov-1995-tn

Increasingly it became obvious that Watchtower’s self-imposed time limit on Armageddon had expired, because too much time had passed since 1914 for there to be any survivors among Jehovah’s Witnesses old enough to have memories of the outbreak of World War I. In fact, at the time of writing in September 2015, only 50 individuals older than 110 years old are known to still be alive.

“New light” was called for, and in 1995 and 2008 the organization made various stabs at squaring the circle. Paul Grundy has done a great job of documenting these fluctuating “understandings” on his JWfacts resource.

The most recent solution, as proposed by Watchtower in 2010 (and regurgitated by Splane in the above clip), is to essentially embellish Jesus’ words by suggesting that “this generation” doesn’t have to be just one generation, but can be two.

The first “group” of “this generation” would witness and understand the events of 1914, and the second group would be those who were born before the last individuals in the first group died (hence an “overlapping” generation).

If you don’t understand this, it is not due to any failure on your part. It is because it doesn’t make sense. The teaching rides roughshod over the English language, redefining what “generation” means, and relying on the audience to willfully bypass their logical thinking skills by asserting the incomprehensible as indisputable truth.

After all, if you can arbitrarily insist that a generation can be composed of two groups, why not have three, four, five – on into infinity? The word “generation” quickly loses all meaning.

The wisest course of action for Watchtower would have been to either distance itself from the “overlapping generation” teaching as a well-meaning slip-up (perhaps by arguing “this generation” was figurative rather than literal), or ignore the matter altogether.

Instead, the Governing Body apparently concluded that a 12-minute video presentation rehashing the teaching, complete with diagram and stick pointer, was just what the doctor ordered.

Their mistake is an inevitable byproduct of their delusion and bullish devotion to their own contrived dogma. It is, to my mind, further proof that the Governing Body are not cynical con-men but really do believe their own nonsense – and expect us to believe it too. Otherwise, they would have steered clear of the subject entirely, and spoken about something more compelling and universally appealing.

In addition to this obvious faux pas, I am also delighted at David Splane’s performance, which wreaked of cheesiness and insincerity…

As a side note – Splane is among three Governing Body members (together with Herd and Losch) who have apparently opted to deliver their JW Broadcasting episodes alongside “helpers” from the various Governing Body committees. The other Governing Body members (Lett, Morris, Sanderson and Jackson) tend to appear by themselves. I can’t help but question Splane’s decision to appear with a co-host, since he is in my view one of the more competent, persuasive speakers on the Governing Body. His uneasy interactions with his co-host only serve to undo the forcefulness of his individual presentation.

A costly mistake

When JW Broadcasting was first announced 11 months ago I said at the time it was great news. The worst thing the Governing Body could possibly do was reveal themselves to their doting followers. It is far easier to respect and admire your leaders when you can’t see or hear them. Having them thrusted at your TV screen or computer monitor in all their bumbling, arrogant, senile, jewelry-flashing glory changes the whole dynamic.

Yes, we have seen some extremely potent pieces of indoctrination designed to pull on the heart strings and appeal to people’s emotions. The standard episode will feature at least one visually appealing interview segment with powerful imagery and stirring music, in which a loyal Witness tears up as he or she relates how Jehovah’s hand has come to their rescue against all odds.

I will continue to do my best to expose these clearly coercive methods in my JW Broadcasting rebuttal videos. But I am growing increasingly confident that to any sincere, intellectually honest Witness capable of rudimentary reasoning skills, no rebuttals are needed. The delusion, absurdity and self-indulgence speaks for itself.

 

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Further reading…

389 thoughts on “David Splane explains the overlapping generation teaching (without actually explaining it)

  • September 14, 2015 at 4:10 am
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    The bouncing of the Menlo Park elders for daring to challenge
    Hierarchical authority. Exposes the “Designed to flatter teaching”
    of being appointed by Holy Spirit as a load of eyewash.

    “When the order comes down from the Pope defrocking a priest
    and kicking him out. He no longer has a say in the matter. —
    ( Calvin Rous, WT, attorney )

    “One is your master, all of you are brothers”. Matt,23:8.

  • September 14, 2015 at 5:31 am
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    The problem of what they believe regarding the resurrection is that they apply to themselves, the”anointed”, all the words of the New Testament.
    The message there is clearly a heavenly hope for everyone. Paul says in 1Cor.15 that if there is a physical body there is also a spiritual one. That people will be changed at the twinkling of the eye. They have gone so far
    as to say that Jesus is their mediator only. For those who are believers and considering that they’ve demoted him to being an angel, may wonder WHO really is the anti-Christ? How could we have believed all of that? I guess we can empathize with those who believe it now.
    Waking up to life has been the greatest gift.
    Reading all of you helped me tremendously, plus reading dozens of books in the past years.
    Thank you

  • September 14, 2015 at 5:47 am
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    Since the beginning of my life as a youngster I prided myself on reading and trying very hard to understand what I read from the bible and the mountain of material that was provided for us. Then in turn be able to explain it to someone with a good heart, (we believe that we know if someone has a good heart), the reality is that we don’t really know about their heart condition, that most important determination belongs to God, and their life lies in his very capable hands. So after a very long time being a witness I have finally figured out that if something was written under inspiration, or however they want to tell you they received the understanding, (for example, the generation topic), then for 50 or 60 years or even longer it should be able to stand the test of time and not be changed. The number of beliefs that have been changed, some of which have been around for close to 100 years, is staggering. The truth is I no longer try to keep up, the reality is my brain is turning to mush. I hear the friends, and even my family members try vainly to explain what they think the understanding is on these ever changing topics. I am much happier not worrying what is new and what is old, and if I am ask by anyone to explain these changes I simply say, I cannot. The ones that I say this to get a funny look on their face and move on to the next unsuspecting victim looking for the answer that will make them happy. At a dinner with family, some of these changes came up in the discussion and I sat quietly by and listened, it is amazing when you sit and listen carefully what you will hear. And another reason I don,t say anything is that I not longer feel like being chastised by my family for not being spiritual enough, or heaven forbid not keeping up with the “light”. To tell all of you the truth I feel like Lilly Von Schtupp ,(spelling?), in the movie Blazing Saddles when she said, “I’m Tired’. I am glad those of you that write, that your brain is still functioning on all cylinders, keep up the good fight!

    • September 14, 2015 at 6:21 am
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      @A Patient Man, I was exactly the same as you. I couldn’t keep up anymore and so my brain had turned to mush. Once I started to see all the lies and over-ups of the Society and I started to use my brain again, I realized that I actually did have a functioning brain after all. When I look around at all those that are in the Organization and think it’s the “truth”, I feel sorry for them.

      I was listening to a couple of videos from a youtuber called Christian Comedy Channel and he has several videos where he is discussing with Witnesses, the book “What Does the Bible Really Teach” and he discusses 1914, failed prophecies, the overlapping generation and flip flopping doctrines and what the Witnesses would tell him is something to the effect “that is what we used to think but now we believe this”. So, what those Witnesses were saying in effect is that they left their brains go dead and whatever the Society says is what they now believe and they can’t think for themselves anymore. It’s truly sad.

    • September 14, 2015 at 7:46 am
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      A patient man,

      I feel very much the same. I checked out a few years ago, the last time we went through the wonderful Revelation book. I remember sitting there like a deer looking into oncoming headlights, wondering how I would explain that each of the 7 trumpet blasts correspond to a resolution passed at a CederPoint Ohio convention. Or how the army of locusts is leaving behind stinging judgement messeges in the Watchtower and Awake publications. The whole thing was an elaborate house of cards. If even one of these interpetations is wrong, the whole mess just falls apart.

      • September 14, 2015 at 9:03 am
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        @questionall451. Don’t Worry I FELT the SAME as YOU after studying the RED REVELATION book for the Third Time.!! Those DAMN TRUMPET BLASTS always Got Me !! & the The DAMN Stinging Locusts! I knew NO-ONE on the Ministry would Believe or Understand the GB Explanation of that rubbish!!

      • September 14, 2015 at 10:40 am
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        I was still thoroughly snowed when we went through that book in the mid 90’s, but I do remember a slight tingly feeling as I saw that all the little infinitesimal early goings-on of the WTBTS were supposedly addressed prophetically throughout the chapters of Revelation. I didn’t doubt that I had the Truth. I just thought that maybe there were some things there that they weren’t exactly 100% right about. I was 100% dumb. But I’m being treated for that condition now.

        Your user image is great. Applewhite/Lett -two world-class space cadets. When the GB starts talking about the Hale-Bopp comet, you hanger-onners better get the HELL outta there!

        • September 14, 2015 at 12:47 pm
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          Aha! Some fellow Revelation book doubters. I recall driving home each week after the book study and telling my husband how hard I found it to agree with the material. He always asked whether it really mattered, and I had to agree that many of the things I struggled with were of little significance. Eventually I ceased answering in the book study because I felt such a hypocrite doing so. We decided at the time that we had the big things right and this seemed to keep us going. Of course, more recently we have changed our minds about having the big things right. One can hardly say of the generation teaching that it doesn’t really matter, that it is of little consequence! I just wish I had listened to my head of reason back then with the Revelation book (and others) and not continued sacrificing so much time and energy.

          • September 15, 2015 at 11:35 am
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            I couldnt agree more…I had to conduct the revelation book in the 90’s and I must say , I never really got to grips with it…that was then this is now…
            Important to get out there and live life!
            Learn from the past and move on…
            Shame the internet wasnt around in 1986 as we would never had made such a mistake..
            Saying that, look at how a whole nation was duped last century..I wonder how many have asked ” how did we believe that?”
            But cest la vie!
            Must go …red wine is saying “drink me”….

  • September 14, 2015 at 6:39 am
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    JBR, Garrett, PB,
    Zeppelin, Sabbath, The Who did you say, I’m well out of the
    loop here guys. I can only go back as far as O’l Blue Eyes,
    and am struggling to “Overlap”.

  • September 14, 2015 at 7:59 am
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    JB,Reezner, Garrett, Pickled Brain.

    Sabbath, Zeppelin, and Who did you say. I’m well out of the
    loop here guys, just not my generation. I can only go back to
    O’l Blue Eyes, and I’m struggling with the “Overlapping.

    • September 14, 2015 at 10:15 am
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      Yes Ted, “Behind Blue Eyes” was a GREAT song by The Who! Oh, no, you mean Sinatra. He was great, indeed. I mean, he wasn’t part of my personal music collection, but I liked My Way, New York, New York, Somethin’ Stupid, That’s Life, etc. But I do see where it would be difficult for a fan of primarily his type of music to transition from that style to the music that came along shortly after.

      But if history has taught us anything, it’s that we members of previous generations can join together (Join Together, by the way, another great Who song) in HATING the garbage on the radio that kids are listening to these days! (seriously)

      • September 14, 2015 at 1:02 pm
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        Michael Buble revived the song New York, New York, Somethin’ Stupid, That’s Life, etc. Are Michael Buble and Frank Sinatra belong to the same generation?

    • September 14, 2015 at 12:11 pm
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      @Ted. I like Frank Sinatras song ‘I DID IT MY WAY’
      Love the Words! …. ‘THE END is NEAR’ …. ‘ The FINAL CURTAIN ‘ …,, ‘I DID it MY WAY’ … I wonder if Good Old Frank was a SECRET GB Anointed Member’ ????

    • September 14, 2015 at 2:35 pm
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      @Ted. ‘THE END is NEAR’ …. ‘The FINAL CURTAIN ‘
      …I DID IT MY WAY’ !!!! This could be the Signature Tune of the Governing Body!! Perhaps Good Old FRANK was a Secret Member of the GB???

      • September 14, 2015 at 3:28 pm
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        PB that was BRILLIANT! A+ to you!

        And maybe for us, “Start spreadin’ the news, I’m leavin’ todayyy”. Okay, maybe not. That’s a song about going TO New York instead of gettin’ the HELL outta there!

        • September 14, 2015 at 11:21 pm
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          @JB Reezner. THANKS JB,much appreciated.We have a similar sense of humour. When I comment at meetings my wife (who idolises the GB) says my answers sound nearly Apostate like!!!
          I have been counselled by the Watchtower Overseer !! Doesn’t stop me though!

          • September 15, 2015 at 10:21 am
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            Excellent, PB. I know that surely you’d rather not be there, but I guess if you have to be, you can at least say some things that might make other WT victims THINK. Good on ya!

          • August 3, 2016 at 2:29 pm
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            PB they probably just think you are senile. No worries. LOL.

        • September 15, 2015 at 3:35 pm
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          @PB Reezner. I was reading your comments dedicated to me with the song ‘BABA O’RILEY’ when my wife walked into the room & asked me what I was looking at!!! I switched to the Weather App …. I said ‘ Dear I am just checking the weather for tomorrow ‘ then switched back to jwsurvey & your comments were deleted !!! I ASK YOU!! BABA O’RILEY I AM SURE is STEPHEN LETTS ‘Nickname ‘??? So it is related to the Thread Slimly???

          • September 17, 2015 at 6:00 pm
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            Hahaha, Weather App! That comment just killed me.. (And again, YOU are “PB”, I am “JB” dammit!)

            Yes, Lett is surely scouring the web looking for JW traitors! Be careful, because he can be DANGEROUS even when he is saying things that make you think he cares about you! Here is a rare video of him interacting with a helpless young brother: https://youtu.be/ArNz8U7tgU4

        • September 16, 2015 at 8:40 pm
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          Haha I’m going to post that on my fb page. In-joke that only myself and a few others will get. Bit like Guardian Of the Doctrine….. GOD. You guys crack me up.

  • September 14, 2015 at 8:33 am
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    dear a patient man guess what i had was terminal brainmush bordering on failure to thrive a very serious self diagnosable condition actually a requirement if you qualify as a jw in lala land .the remedy Stop reading drivel and if you feel so inclined go back to reading the Bible only. i did my last jw spew the return to Jehovah brochure and miracle of miracles that is exactly what i have done im putting on spiritual weight just like a baby getting bonny and strong ..so there is a cure Gods word. its not rocket science and its free and you can stop the cure anytime you please .ive returned to God with the aid of these friends here of all pursuasions and no more mashed potato coming out of my ears its great. you will know when your brain starts to work again because you start getting cheeky about the loons who govern us and then you parody them and final cure, uncontrollable laughter. after all laughter is the best medicine anyone fancy half a pint of generation gap its on tap at hq. tee hee ruthlee

  • September 14, 2015 at 9:01 am
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    Hi all,
    Just received this new Public Talk outline (Nº 192) and the second section has some very interesting statements, and I quote:

    “We need strong confidence in the Bible to choose a path contrary to the one followed by others around us
    If you are not fully convinced that the Bible is God’s Word, then examine the evidence (g 11/07 5-9)
    Use the Bible to examine your current beliefs carefully
    Jesus emphasized the need for our beliefs to be based on truth [Read John 4:23, 24]
    Like the apostle Paul, be willing to change your beliefs when presented with evidence (Ac 26:9-20)”

    I would so like to give this one. I already stress in some other talks I have that we have to PERSONALLY check to make sure a teaching rings true with what we already know from the Bible, even if we hear it from the platform but I thought that this outline could be very handy in defending yourself for disagreeing with a WTS Policy.
    Here’s a copy of the actual outline (valid only for 7 days on WeTransfer so get it whilst it’s hot!):
    http://we.tl/1EnHB6GcQ7

    All the best.
    AJ

    • September 14, 2015 at 12:35 pm
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      No thanks on the outline, I’m in the middle of a bs cleanse at the moment. Just a suggestion, perhaps as a matter of showing how the jw brotherhood has embraced change bring up a few of the failed prophecies that the gb has mustered up over the years. Maybe you could start by criticizing other faiths and pointing to Moses playbook to how to inherit the promised land Deutoronomy 18:20-22, Segway into the very wise council given in Proverbs 30:5,6 and how Jesus closes all scripture in the closing words of the Bible in Revelation 22: 18-21. Make a huge deal of people who exploit scripture for profit and are proven liars and false prophets when they say God is doing something and then he doesn’t, or they twist Gods word in every manner to suit their agenda. Maybe the body could be building up people like Russel, Ruggerford, Franz etc.. and then close mentioning your closing text Acts 26:9-20 and try to decent the failed 1914 Armageddon date, how Russel got it wrong about all the annointed having been completed in 1881, how Rutherford got the millions now living will never die bit off, how perhaps he jumped the gun saying the prophets of old were to arrive in 1925 and building them a luxury mansion, which he conveniently lived and passed away in. How 1975 was really just a guesstimate and everyone makes mistakes and that we all according to Paul’s words, screw all those other Biblical exortations, are supposed to just “be ready to embrace the new, new, new thing. Just an idea for your talk, I’m sure you can find a way to word it so that it seems genuinely in defence of GB.

      • September 14, 2015 at 12:40 pm
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        Laser keyboard, facepalm at all the misspelled words.

        • September 14, 2015 at 1:42 pm
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          “Ruggerford” is turning over in his grave for that mistake! Oops, I mean he’s turning over in Heaven. I can see him now, cruising those streets of gold in his 16-cylinder Cadillac, screaming “I’m the Generalissimooo!”

          • September 15, 2015 at 6:31 am
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            jb reezner
            …feel as though I know you so well!!
            truly well written ..

          • September 15, 2015 at 10:26 am
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            I really appreciate that, briefcasegone. I’m still feeling out the boundaries here and hoping not to offend anyone. Glad to meet ya!

      • September 14, 2015 at 2:42 pm
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        @Robert67 . CLEVER,VERY CLEVER… I LIKE YOUR CUNNING!! There are subtle ways to show up the STUPIDITY of the GB & that’s the best way to appear to be on the GB Side but SOW SEEDS of DOUBT & Playing Theocratic Warfare in Reverse… Brilliant!!

  • September 14, 2015 at 9:50 am
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    I do believe that the WTS has the same exact predicament with the ‘overlapping generations’ that they claim that the rest of ‘Christendom’ has when trying to explain the trinity.

    Ha Ha Ha!!!! The shoe is now on the other foot. How funny!

  • September 14, 2015 at 2:20 pm
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    last post of the day i needed this today ive set up a menu and invited a few birds to feast on all the garbage that has accumulated,. here is the list, the blue footed booby, the roseate spoonbill. the lyre bird, a murder of crows ,an unkindness of ravens and of course the loon enjoy your meal its on us rl

  • September 14, 2015 at 4:48 pm
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    Oh, the RUDDY RED REVELATION BOOK!
    It is ironic how the Watchtower made all the relevant bits apply to them, judgement messages, trumpet blasts, etc. What they failed to recognize is that because they too have misled millions, they are part of Babylon the Great and will receive the same plagues – hopefully!
    Just a point, there are certain illustrations in there which caused me concern: Page 52 the demon hand behind Jesus. Also what appears to be the destruction of the ‘twin towers’ on the same page. The mention on Page 106, para 7, ‘The fearful threat of TERRORISTS or states using ‘WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION’ has many people wondering.’
    This was way before George W. spoke of same – Spooky!!
    Of course, the old thought on the generation starting in 1914 was still being taught in 1988. Obviously the ‘insight’ on this doctrine was a little late in coming!!

  • September 14, 2015 at 4:59 pm
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    Problems only arise with Matt 24,when you remove it from it’s
    proper time frame ( Jesus Own Generation) and try to apply it
    to some future random generation. Which according to WT.org
    happens to be this greatly extended one that began in 1914.

    Different generations in the past have also claimed, it was to
    their time that those Bible verses applied.

    There is no confusion if we let the Bible speak for itself and not
    try to impose meanings upon it.

    Jesus unambiguously ties the fulfilment to his own time only
    At Matt 16:27-27. ( to paraphrase) Jesus is coming with his
    Angels to mete out justice, and there are some standing here
    who will not taste death, till they see the son coming in his
    Kingdom,

    For those imposing a future fulfilment, these verses present a
    problem, so they sidestep this by misapplying the reference
    of some there seeing Jesus coming in his Kingdom. And claim
    it refers to the Transfiguration.

    If you read the transfiguration account in Matt ch,17. you will
    instantly see it has no connection with the previous verses.
    Nowhere is there any reference to Jesus coming with his
    Angels to administer any justice.– That happened in 70CE
    and Within that Generation

    Rev,22:7 Jesus says, “I come quickly” by no stretch of the
    imagination can 2000 plus years be described in those terms.
    Some similar references to the urgency, are- Jas, 5:8-9,
    1pet, 4:7 & 17.

    Move Matt 24, out of context, and all kinds of unsatisfactory
    scriptural contortions are required and it still won’t make sense.

    • September 14, 2015 at 7:50 pm
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      Amen.

      • February 10, 2016 at 5:39 am
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        wtbs,.. especially the b.s..
        satan keeps transforming himself into an
        angel of light,, that’s all you need to know about wtbs and their “new light”

    • September 14, 2015 at 8:34 pm
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      Since you never get to read it at the hall, Mathew 24: keeps going by adding this bit “But if ever that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’ 49 and he STARTS TO BEAT his fellow slaves and to eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, 51 and he will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his place with the HYPOCRITES. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be. ———-• Here in Puerto Rico, there are some serious changes coming. The flood gates have been open and the congregations will slowly be learning these truths, so much good work to do. I really hope everyone helping others come to learn these truths about the WT does so respectfully and keeps in mind that the main instrument the friends will listen to is scripture and reasoning the way they are used to. Blatant God bashing comments are only going to make them put up a thicker wall against anything you have to say, regardless of how logical your argument is. Even in my case God will never be in the wrong. Many, many like myself will wake up, because we, unlike a good portion of the friends, have actually read the Bible over and over. We will always place Gods word, his sons message of love, mercy, healing, and freedom from religious oppression over that of the self appointed and treadmill allergic seven.
      The absolute majority of the friends have seen cowardly shift supervisors (elders) strike down with great vengeance on under age sinners for sins they committed while being sinful kids, a condition which God left us in, hence the need for his sons sacrifice, whose blood worth outweighs any sins we can possibly commit and still they shun children at their most crucial stage in life. We have to stay focused on attacking the cult and not the faith. Keep informing the masses as to the brain fart methodology used by these dangerously uneducated oppressors. Keep instilling in the friends that no man, not even the 7 samurai, can alter Gods word.
      I cannot picture any media outlet takeing faith bashers seriously, if you bash the Bible you insult a billion viewers. No sponsor can back up or push a hate site or podcast. We have to see the bigger picture and be self sacrificing in this “crusade” to free the mentally enslaved.

      • September 14, 2015 at 10:27 pm
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        Great points, Robert. Sensitivity to people’s varied levels of religious faith is vital here. I’m new here (my favorite excuse!) and I’m still going through the phase of regretting the tone and content of at least A THIRD of my comments immediately after I hit the Post Comment button.

        I don’t want to seem self-important enough to think you were referring to some of my comments, but if you do run across any submission of mine that seems to cross a line, please feel free to directly reply with something like “Okay, reel it in, JB! You went too far, you idiot!!”, and I will take the reminder to heart. Okay, you won’t really need to call me an idiot. (It will just be implied, lol.)

    • October 13, 2015 at 12:13 pm
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      As I progressed in my research about Jesus’ eschatological prophecy about the end of the world, I realized it never happened in his generation or any other. Recently I ran into a youtube video: “Jesus was Wrong”, explains exactly what I always suspected: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH9Q6ig02P8

  • September 15, 2015 at 6:35 am
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    After reviewing the broadcast network from Governing Body member David Splane, I am still confused. The Scripture states “this generation”, not “these generations”. Watchtower continues to Band-Aid their broken prophesies.

    • October 13, 2015 at 12:21 pm
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      Doc, As I progressed in my research about Jesus’ eschatological prophecy about the end of the world, I realized it never happened in his generation or any other. Recently I ran into a youtube video: “Jesus was Wrong”, explains exactly what I always suspected: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH9Q6ig02P8

  • September 15, 2015 at 7:06 am
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    hi ted and robert loved your thoughts and explanations its so true we have to be loving and kind but sometimes the anger and frustration arises within i suppose thats where really being a Christian shows up. the scriptures really are unalterable and speak Truth anyone is at liberty to read a Bible if they choose to .i guess so many got out of the habit and have been kept busy doing nothing. i hope we will look back at this time and realise we were part of a testimony that brought about some change and enlightenment as a force for good . what do you think?ruthlee

    • September 15, 2015 at 12:24 pm
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      Ruthlee, truly scripture is not to be altered. I would add that christendoms biggest flaws lie in those “prophets” who claim to interpret Gods word. It’s message is pretty clear; be good, be good to others, help the poor, the weak, share Jesus message of love and sit tight, waiting on him. 2 Peter 1:20 states “For you know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation.”
      When Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians he was writing to a congregation he had never and would never visit. He only knew what one of his fellow prisoners in Rome had told him of this specific congregation. There is no exortation by Paul to write to a GB or ask what a faithful slave said on the matter. Paul was writing to people living in the real world, facing real problems and real temptations. Paul knew Jesus words to his father stating that his followers should not be hermits in the world, but live freely amongst all people in every way setting Christ example of love and sharing his message of hope. That is why Paul reminded the Colossians in their disorientated (by many opinions) state, that their focus should be on Christ teachings, that Christ was in each one of us, and each one of us in Christ. Sadly as JW’s we have been conditioned to give Christ passing honor and to give most glory to the mother ship in Brooklyn. Once Toto pulled the curtain back and unveiled false prophecy after false prophecy after false prophecy after false prophecy, some of which actually cost people their very lives, livelihoods and absolutely worst of all their faith in Gods word, well……..Please continue to read your Bible, discovering and not interpreting Gods will.

      • September 15, 2015 at 1:40 pm
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        spot on so very true .peace and godslove ruthlee

  • September 15, 2015 at 7:30 am
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    David Splane talks to his lemmings. YouTube has a nice video on lemmings. Lemming video. You can see the parallels between a JW and a lemming.

  • September 15, 2015 at 3:44 pm
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    @PB Reezner. ‘TEENAGE WASTELAND ‘ sounds like the story of Teenage JWs getting Baptised too Early to make a Rational Decision with their lives.!! Geoffrey Jackson Baptised at 11 proves my point!
    Thanks For the Dedication on a previous post. My Mother ???BABA O’ RILEY ???had a Really Tough Life being Baptised as a Teenager. Made the wrong decision!! Keep up the Excellent Comments PB!

  • September 15, 2015 at 5:29 pm
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    We have just had a change of Prime Minister here in OZ, mid term removal, its interesting comments that are coming out, re: the end must be so close & we need the kingdom, i did a bit of research & discovered that 23 out of the last 29 didnt go the distance, wether it was resignation, death or removal, so i just say to them that the modern media swamps us all the time, so looking back at history this is nothing new,

  • September 19, 2015 at 3:44 am
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    I found it explained it pretty well , Joseph and his brothers were all of one “Generation ” Joseph was nearly 40 when his brothers including Benjamin who was then a young man, called “boy” in scripture came down to Egypt during the famine , different ages but all
    “one generation of brothers ” thats not hard to grasp at all !

    https://www.rt.com/news/315475-un-general-assembly-opening/

    scroll down to un ga presidents comment on the 15/09/2015 its in the box .

    1 Thessalonians 5:3 sound familiar , now is that JW
    prophecy or bible prophecy ?

    Please read the brochure below and dont be fooled into losing your eternal future .

    http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/return-to-jehovah/

    Please contact me if you require loving compassionate assistance from someone who has returned to Jehovah.

    • September 19, 2015 at 3:58 am
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      Lee,

      Thank you for your sincere interest in our salvation.

      Have you looked at Matthew 1:17?

      A simple calculation provides a generation lasting for around 40 years.

      I have read the “Return to Jehovah” brochure and it has failed to convince me to return.

      You have obviously made a different decision, which is your right.

      Have you thoroughly researched the WTBTS? Have you conducted your own independent research on its policies and history?

      There are plenty of articles here and on other sites to allow you to conduct your own research.

      I hope that you will take the time to examine your faith, and make sure that you are doing what you want to do, in line with your conscience.

      Peace be with you, Excelsior!

      • September 19, 2015 at 4:12 am
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        Yes i have all the way back to its beginnings and i am fully convinced that bible prophecy is being fullfilled right before our eyes .

        • September 19, 2015 at 4:56 am
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          @Lee Elvin, Let’s say that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled. What exactly does the Bible say that pinpoints our day? Does it say anything about the United Nations like what the Watchtower claims or do you “read into the Bible” United Nations when you read Revelation? I was “seeing” United Nations instead of a 7 headed beast (or whatever it really says) because I believed God was giving the Society a special understanding.

          I believed God was directing the Organization but if you read the literature, you will see that they do not claim to be “inspired” but “spirit directed”.

          They can’t claim to be inspired or else they would be claiming to be Bible writers the same as Paul and Moses. So, all they can “claim” is that God chose their organization in 1919 so what you need to do is look at what was being printed in 1919 and see if those doctrines or beliefs are the same today as when Jesus and Jehovah supposedly chose the Watchtower religion.

          That is the religion that was supposedly the only “approved” religion chosen by them. So, if the teachings or doctrines have changed, you need to ask yourself why?

          To say that the “truth” gets brighter with time is simply a “cop out”. If you want us to “return to Jehovah”, then you need to show us why God would choose the Watchtower religion of today over the Watchtower of 1919 when they were celebrating Christmas, the cross and birthdays and Rutherford said when all the women who were going to heaven would be changed to men at the end of the thousand years and the skin of the black man would be changed to white.

          • September 19, 2015 at 5:38 am
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            only the bible is inspired

    • September 19, 2015 at 4:25 am
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      @Lee Elvin . The BIG PROBLEM,Lee is that the GB have changed the meaning of ‘GENERATION ‘ 5 times since 1874 ! 3 times since 1993 when the GB were saying it meant No More than 70 or 80 years . Then in 1995 it was aWicked Generation of Contemporary People & Now since about 2010 an ‘Overlapping Generation ‘ …LEE I GUARANTEE YOU in 20 years time the GB will CHANGE Interpretation AGAIN!! Because they CANT change 1914 as then 1919 would be BASELESS when Jesus supposedly chose the F&D Slave!! There are NO SCRIPTURES for 1919,1931,1935 etc .. JUST MAN MADE by Rutherford & Clayton Woodworth!
      LEE you belong to an EVIL ORGANISATION that has HIDDEN CHILD ABUSERS!!You will wake up one day!!

      • September 19, 2015 at 4:38 am
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        I believe bible prophecy will be fulfilled when Jehovah sees fit at “his appointed time ” no man knows the hour .

        • September 19, 2015 at 1:22 pm
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          @Lee Elvin, can you explain how Bible prophecy will be fulfilled from Revelation? Can you explain the two Armageddons and Gog of Magog attacking God’s people AFTER THE THOUSAND YEARS HAVE ENDED without using Watchtower explanations???? Aren’t all those people supposed to be in heaven at that time? Also at the end of the 1,000 years of Jesus Christ’s rule, mankind is supposed to be raised to perfection, yet according to Revelation, all the “nations” will war against God AGAIN when the Watchtower says that anybody rebelling against God’s rule during the thousand years will be done away with. Please explain Revelation and the great tribulation and also while you are at it, explain to us how the evidence is so easy to see that Jesus is ruling in heaven (invisibly) and the evidence is more clear than electricity and wind when you can see evidence of electricity and wind? Saying that WW1 broke out in 1914 doesn’t answer it because the war broke out in the summer of 1914 but Satan wasn’t thrown to the earth until October of that year.

          You seem to understand the explanation of the over-lapping generation. Just how long have you been in the “truth”? I have been in this sham religion for 50 years and I don’t understand how it could make any sense so let’s hear what you have a say.

          Explain how Jesus chose Joseph Rutherford’s religion over all other religions in 1919 when he was thrown in prison in 1918 and from 1914-1918, the religion was as good as dead and until 1930, they celebrated holidays and birthdays and the cross.

          Explain it to us and I will believe again. Explain why God would have chosen Joseph Rutherford when he drove two new Cadillacs and lived in a mansion in California when at the same time, the men working at the Bethels didn’t even have heat in their bunk houses. Explain how he had a full time female nurse that lived with him year around but he didn’t live with his wife?

          • September 19, 2015 at 7:05 pm
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            @Anonymous. Good Reasoning on ALL Your Points Especially Gog & Magog after 1000 years have ended! As you say how can Gog & Magog … Which is now interpreted as ‘Coalition of Nations ‘ instead of Satan… Be attacking JEHOVAHS People on Earth if Gog (Coalition of Nations)was destroyed at Armageddon.!! As usual the More Changes of Interpretation of Scripture by the 7 MIDGETS then MORE HOLES can be found in their NEW LIGHT???

        • September 19, 2015 at 4:59 pm
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          @Lee Elvin . You say no man knows the hour !! THEN WHY are YOU FOLLOWING 7 MEN in BROOKLYN Who SHELTER & HIDE CHILD ABUSERS???

    • September 19, 2015 at 12:14 pm
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      Lee, when you say they “explained it pretty well”, I think you may simply mean that you understood Splane’s explanation. That is surely true of most of us here, even though most of our comments understandably center around the convoluted nature of it. But, if you are really telling me that someone who died 10 minutes after Joseph was born, and someone who was born 10 minutes before Joseph died, are BOTH part of Joseph’s generation, then that renders the word “generation” virtually meaningless with regards to the universally accepted purpose for its existence. As Ted noted, by properly using the word, the Bible itself precludes the fantastical, self-serving definition that the GB has invented. Even if it can possibly take on a less-constrained meaning in some instances, the proprietary calculus equation born out of pure desperation that the GB came up with would never satisfy any reasonable standards of its use.

      It’s a bummer not knowing if you’re just a troll trying to start some mess. If that isn’t the case, then I hope you will keep looking through sites like this one and JWFacts. We didn’t all simply lose our faith and jump ship so that we are in need of someone to come and remind us that our dear, loving, mother organization cares for us and wants us back. No, as we discovered more things about the Org that were clearly untrue, the Org simply lost its grip on us–that is to say–on our minds. If you are legitimately someone who values truth, then I hope that happens for you some day.

    • September 19, 2015 at 12:16 pm
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      Lee, when you say they “explained it pretty well”, I think you may simply mean that you understood Splane’s explanation. That is surely true of most of us here, even though most of our comments understandably center around the convoluted nature of it. But, if you are really telling me that someone who died 10 minutes after Joseph was born, and someone who was born 10 minutes before Joseph died, are BOTH part of Joseph’s generation, then that renders the word “generation” virtually meaningless with regards to the universally accepted purpose for its existence. As Ted noted, by properly using the word, the Bible itself precludes the fantastical, self-serving definition that the GB has invented. Even if it can possibly take on a less-constrained meaning in some instances, the proprietary calculus equation born out of pure desperation that the GB came up with would never satisfy any reasonable standards of its use.

      It’s a bummer not knowing if you’re just a troll trying to start some mess. If that isn’t the case, then I hope you will keep looking through sites like this one and JWFacts. We didn’t all simply lose our faith and jump ship so that we are in need of someone to come and remind us that our dear, loving, mother organization cares for us and wants us back. No, as we discovered more things about the Org that were clearly untrue, the Org simply lost its grip on us–that is to say–on our minds. If you are legitimately someone who values real truth, then I hope that happens for you some day.

      • September 19, 2015 at 2:33 pm
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        JB,

        “then that renders the word “generation” virtually meaningless with regards to the universally accepted purpose for its existence.”

        Thats the bottom line isn’t it? Great wording.

        Lee Elvin,

        “Please read the brochure below and dont be fooled into losing your eternal future.”

        No man holds the keys to the afterlife, if there even is one.

        Also, if there is a God that is full of love, justice, wisdom & power then I will let him/her/it be my judge not man.

        • September 19, 2015 at 6:44 pm
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          @PB Reezner & @ Grace . VERY WELL REASONED & ARTICULATED in response to LEE ELVIN unlike Lee who is an ARDENT FAN of the 7 MEN in BROOKLYN who HIDE CHILD ABUSERS…. Not One of 1006 Child Abusers were Reported to the Police in Australia. LEE YOU AWFUL HUMAN BEING For Supporting such an EVIL Organisation who is willing to Pay Tens of MILLIONS of Dollars in Compensation to SHUT UP the Mouths of Victims!!

          • September 19, 2015 at 6:57 pm
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            @ LEE ELVIN. OHhhh By the Way I have MORE THAN …..’TWO WITNESSES ‘…. On this SITE to YOU … LEE ELVIN… COMMENTING on an APOSTATE SITE such as this !! YOU COULD BE REPROVED for ASSOCIATING with APOSTATES … Remember the constant LOVING??? Counsel from the 7 WISE MIDGETS!!!
            NAUGHTY NAUGHTY LEE ELVIN!!! .. You see LEE … GO & TELL Your ELDERS that you have been commenting on this site ….. Or Are YOU AFRAID TO TELL THEM ??? If you are AFRAID then YOU Are in a CULT because you have LOST FREEDOM of SPEECH & you are FRIGHTENED of BEING SHUNNED!!!

        • September 20, 2015 at 12:40 am
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          He is the judge

          • September 20, 2015 at 12:42 am
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            I just hope my comment is seen by someone who appreciates it and who is on the verge of being misled .

          • September 20, 2015 at 12:51 am
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            @LEE ELVIN. ‘He is the Judge’ … If you are referring to Jehovah I would agree with you BUT SADLY the 7 WISE MIDGETS & the BODY of ELDERS are JUDGE , JURY & EXECUTIONER in the Congregations!!!

          • September 20, 2015 at 4:02 pm
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            7 WISE MIDGETS, you’re killing me Pickled brain! But I think we’ve been led down the troll road by Mr. Elvin.

    • October 13, 2015 at 12:29 pm
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      Lee, Yahweh maybe and Jesus are not in the same page and the NT was romanized sort of speak.
      As I progressed in my research about Jesus’ eschatological prophecy about the end of the world, I realized it never happened in his generation or any other. Recently I ran into a youtube video: “Jesus was Wrong”, explains exactly what I always suspected: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH9Q6ig02P8

    • October 19, 2015 at 11:49 am
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      it doesn’t matter what explanation they give you. It will always makes sense to you. It is called cognitive dissonance. If the overlapping generation teaching was produced by another church you would have laughed. But because it comes from jw.org then you put your trust. The teaching isn’t scriptural and it is an attempt to buy time avoiding the shame of total disappointment.

      Please remember that you judge other churches as wrong because have some wrong teachings, but JWs have been wrong for more then a century. Why the double standard? Remember that your religion expects people to complete trust men, something that the Bible warn us against. Expect one day the new light: this is not God org.

  • September 20, 2015 at 7:59 am
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    I’m not sure why they just didn’t say that it was the generation that saw ALL these things occur. The end started in 1914 but all the signs didn’t occur until some years later. It would have bought them about the same amount of time and made a lot more sense.
    I’m posting this here so that if they do try to use this line of reasoning later we will have proof that an apostate thought of it first.

    The new definition doesn’t seem to add anything. Even if it did include people of considerably different ages it would still need to have 1914 as the anchor.

    I’m hoping to live long enough to see the day when they claim that the bible was using a pre-flood lifespan as for the definition of generation.

    • September 21, 2015 at 4:25 pm
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      JimmyK,

      Noted. We’ll check back when they have to adjust it again.

      My hubby thinks that they should have just said ‘the generation’ is those that are anointed still living. That could just have left it open-ended.

  • September 22, 2015 at 3:58 am
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    What Watchtower needs is a good strategist, one who thinks from outside the box, like me!!! They have painted themselves into a corner big time with their century’s old Armaggedon’s coming message with NO results. What they need to consider is this. Maybe God, Jehovah, whatever he wants to be called, was indeed all ready to send fire and brimstone on humanity in 1914. But what happened is humanity got a heart in the intervening period. While Watchtower was preaching doom and gloom, mankind in its own course began to see that people mattered! There was civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights, child labor, social care, child abuse, and the list of things mankind has found wrong with human society for the thousands of years. Laws have been passed and mankind has made tremendous progress towards recognizing the rights of the masses. So like in the story of Jonah, God rethought the destruction of humanity. In fact so changed was evil humanity, that a Royal Commission displayed far more heart for abuse children than Jehovah’s own earthly representatives as plainly seen by G Jackson’s testimony. So God NOW won’t bring on the destruction of humanity like he originally intended. And Watchotwer like Jonah was pissed that God reneged on destroying Ninevah, is still awaiting the destruction of the world. I think the God changed his mind story is the only out for Watchtower if they plan to survive. You can’t keep preaching the end when then end never comes! You begin to lose a bit of credibility crying wolf all the time.

  • September 23, 2015 at 7:10 am
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    He said that Rutherford was anointed and understood the signal. Is this some kind of joke?

    • September 23, 2015 at 7:59 am
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      @CEDARs(Lloyd ) & EVERY JW & Ex-JW out there!
      David SPLANE has made a BIG BIG MISTAKE in using JOSEPH at Exodus 1v.6 as a GENERATION!
      Because the’ INSIGHT’ BOOK says Jacob didn’t have his FIRST SON until he was 77 years old & He had ALL his SONS within 30 years as Jacob had sons by LEAH,BILHAH,ZILPAH & RACHEL.
      SO SPLANEY .. ME OLD MATE…. A GENERATION is STILL DEFINED as Roughly 30 to 40 YEARS!
      JOSEPHs GENERATION of BROTHERs Born within 30 Years of each other so ALL DIED within Roughly 30 To 40 Years of Each other …., NOT GENERATIONS OVERLAPPING!!!!! SO JESUS DEFINITION still is Right about 37 years from 33 C.E till 70 C.E when Jerusalem was destroyed NOT OVER 101 years since 1914 & STILL COUNTING!!
      UTTER TRASH from the 7 PYGMIES of the GB

      • September 23, 2015 at 9:33 am
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        RE: “SO JESUS DEFINITION still is Right about 37 years …”

        Over the last 40 years, Watchtower teachings have stretched the length of the original 1914 generation to the breaking point. The overlapping generations myth is a feeble attempt to retain a false date, around which many other Watchtower doctrines revolve.

        If you listen to David Splane’s explanation, you will notice that the term “overlapping’ is no longer used. The latter-day anointed second generation is now referred to as being “contemporaries” of the first generation.

        The generations still overlap, but the terminology has changed. In Joseph’s case, the Watchtower leaders would have us believe that Joseph’s brothers were contemporaries of Joseph’s father for a generation that spanned over 120 years.

        So, the question is, are we going put our trust in the words of seven lying Governing Body members or the words that Jesus spoke?

        • September 24, 2015 at 12:36 am
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          Too RIGHT ScotWm !! I trust Jesus Every Time over the GB.

    • September 23, 2015 at 9:11 am
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      RE: David Splane’s claim that Rutherford, Franz and other “anointed” Watchtower leaders recognized that the Lord had returned invisibly in 1914:

      “The Scriptures show that the second presence was due in 1874… This proof shows that the Lord has been present since 1874″ (The WATCH TOWER, March 1, 1923, p. 67).

      “Surely there is not the slightest room for doubt in the mind of a truly consecrated child of God that the Lord Jesus is present and has been since 1874″ (The WATCH TOWER, January 1, 1924, p. 5).

      “To understand the events concerning the Lord’s second presence from 1874 to 1914 requires one to be spiritually minded…” (Creation, 1927 p. 312).

      Obviously, Splane has been caught telling a BIG lie.

      • September 23, 2015 at 9:52 am
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        @Scot WM . EXCELLENT,EXCELLENT & EXCELLENT REASONING & TOP CLASS RESEARCH!! UNLIKE the 7 PYGMIES of BROOKLYN!!!

        • September 23, 2015 at 10:16 am
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          Great job, PB and ScotWm! My simple mind will have to just stick with “because it’s clearly insane”, as the principal reason why Splane’s explanation doesn’t work, but I appreciate (seriously) the research you folks have put into the subject.

      • September 24, 2015 at 12:41 am
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        RIGHT AGAIN ScotWm ! Rutherford wrote Creation Book in 1927 …, 13 LONG YEARS after 1914 & Rutherford was still saying the SECOND PRESENCE of Christ was 1874 until the 1930s .. So David SPLANE is a BIG LIAR to say these ones Knew what was happening in 1914!! UTTERLY MISLEADING & a PACK of LIES!!

  • September 23, 2015 at 11:31 am
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    Pickled Brain,
    I looked up your comment on Splane’s use of Ex, 1:6. You first of all say.
    “Splane has made a big mistake in using Joseph at Exodus 1v6 as a
    GENERATION”
    You then you correctly explain how Joseph and his brothers were all
    born within a 30 year period, and are in fact a single GENERATION.

    Splane’s big mistake was using Ex.1-6, to explain an OVERLAPPING
    Generation. ( Maybe that’s what you intended to say.)

    In my view, Splane was reading material devised by someone else,
    It was totally unconvincing and a thoroughly weak attempt to
    explain the unexplainable. Only the gullible and those desperate to
    believe will swallow it.

    • September 23, 2015 at 11:53 am
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      @Ted, I also think the Splane was trying to explain something he didn’t understand himself and probably was just reading something that was written for him. It is hard to explain algebra if you don’t understand it yourself.

      I hear those men say a lot of times “the Watchtower said this and the Watchtower said that” as if that is the authority. They seem to think that as long as it is in the Watchtower, then it’s Biblical and as good con artists go, they con the majority of trusting Witnesses in the field and as all good nut jobs go, they also con themselves.

      As long as Witnesses are convinced they aren’t to do any “critical” thinking, they won’t bother their heads and think about it and think that they just aren’t as smart as the Governing Body who figured it out and go on with their life, not realizing they are being “conned”. They are lazy in their thinking but that is how they have been conditioned to think.

      The latest “con” from the Society is Anthony Morris’ morning worship talk about obedience. He chuckles under his breath when he tries and explain why the New World Translation uses the word decrees instead of dogma (bad meaning) at Acts 6:1-4. Also, he says “apostates” would like to think that the Watchtower is dogmatic but they would be wrong and then goes on to tell about how the rank and file are to be obedient to the Society even if they don’t understand something. It is simply amazing.

      I wonder how they know what “apostates” are saying about the Society being dogmatic? Are they watching “apostate” web sites????? Are they worried about what “apostate” web sites are doing to them in an underground movement???

    • September 23, 2015 at 3:18 pm
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      @Ted Exactly a VERY WEAK ATTEMPT!! But as discussed previously Why Didn’t SPLANE go to MATTHEW 1v17 which explains ‘GENERATION ‘ perfect as being the Lifespan of a person which on average from ABRAHAM (born 2018 B.C.E)to Jesus(2 B.C.E)is 42 Generations and 2016 years which is Aproximately 48 years when divided for EACH GENERATION !! This SEEMS More LOGICAL as Jesus Mentioned ‘THIS GENERATION ‘ in the SAME BIBLE at Matthew 24v. 34 !!!
      SILLY ME to THINK the GB would Use Logic!!

  • September 23, 2015 at 12:17 pm
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    At some point in time you’d think people would become weary and skeptical of Watchtower’s cries of “wolf” and increasingly convoluted rationalizations regarding the arrival of the end. I always envision Watchtower’s portrayal of the rapture like the Jonah Hill Seth Rogen, James Franco parody/comedy, “This Is The End.” It’s just that rediculous. But Watchtower is serious. I saw the historical JW.org video “The Kingdom, One Hundred Years and Counting.” The vid opens up with a creepy reenactment of Russell’s Oct. 1914 proclomation to the Bethel Family that the Gentile Times Have Ended. The actor they used to play Russell made Russell look like some creepy skeevy cult leader with this insidious gleeful smirk on his face when all his adherents were joyfully applauding his pronouncement. I don’t know, the clip gave me the creeps. But it was amazing how the video depicted the individuals. Bible Students still sing that hymn used in the clip…a re-versed version of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. We had original Wacthtower hymnals, Hymns of Millenial Dawn, in our home and congregation when I was growing up. Also they showed the Cross and Crown pins, rings, jewelry … My grandparents still had their originals. When I baptized in1978 when I was 23 , my mother gave me a gold Cross and Crown pin. At the Dawn Home , the was a large painting of CT Russell hanging over the fireplace . The video really did get the whole Bible Student thing pretty well correct! But it was still creepy, and even more unsettling for me to think I once actually believed a all that stuff. Today the movement is fading away. It’s getting noticeably smaller and smaller each year. I sneaked into the online broadcast of the Bible Students General Convention last July and what I noticed right off was how few attendees there were by the end of the week. When I attended in the 1980s peak attendance was close to 1000 and by the end of the week there were still several hundred present at the convention. This past July there were more attending online than were actually there physically. It looked like fewer than one hundred by Thursday evening. So it seems to me that the Bible Students will die out as a movement in not so many decades. Hopefully the same thing is in for Jehovah’s Witnesses. You can only cry wolf so many times before people catch on. It is even possible that the exodus could be precipitous. Think of all those disappointed Millerites in 1843! That failure resulted in many thousands dropping their faith and support of Miller literally overnight. Yes some still hung on which eventually led to Russell . But some day it has to happen to Watchtower. They simply just can’t go on forever with failed predications and claims. You’d think!

    • October 20, 2015 at 2:32 pm
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      Actually that hymn was a reworking of “The Saints Go Marching On” hymn. “John Brown’s body lies waiting in the grave and the saints go marching on.” We used to sing that at primary school and I remember getting a roasting from my mum when I sang it to her at home!!!
      I know the video you mean. Now I know it’s OK for the WTS to use non JW music (even hymns) to put their own words to, I think I’ll rework some of the current ‘kingdom songs’ to the music from “Stairway To Heaven”!

  • September 24, 2015 at 1:46 am
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    hi such great commonts especially the scriptual refs and old wt pub refs i have another explanation for those of us who struggle with the generation piffle.Time and Truth is like knicker elastic. You can bend it stretch it twist it turn it and even make a Mobius strip out of it, but just like all of us ladies know it will ping back. The point being, you cannot stretch something so far out of shape to make it fit without compromising the original purpose.Like the Mobius any twist will bring you back to where you started.The powers that be, have stretched their bonkers ideas all out of shape. They have expanded their empire beyond recognition . So tight pants tone get some extra elastic to accomodate these glaringly obvious ill fitting ideas.Corset yourselves in if you want to not be caught with the collective trousers down!

  • September 27, 2015 at 4:45 pm
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    It’s unbelievable to read the comments of die-hard JWs. Trying to reason with one is more difficult than getting a decision from a woman who is in the middle of giving birth, child mid vagina.

  • September 28, 2015 at 5:32 am
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    I am a young one JW and for me and also for my mum would be better if there in front of us speaking were some young and good looking brothers and sister, so they can attract more people to watch it. My mum does not like them even though I say to her someone have to lead us as a people. Because if the Governing Body would not exist, who would lead us? I know it is supposed to be Jesus Christ as the Head of the congregation, but He himself has to be a kind of mediator between us, so in my opinion (when it comes to this article http://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/the-governing-body-of-jehovahs-witnesses-explained it is obvious that there always have to be someone who will recieve his teaching and will spread it out to another people. If the GB wasn’t be here, who would lead our companionship all the imperfect people? I barely can imagine that if the GB would not exist Jesus communicated with each one of us…
    And back to this article… when I watched new broadcasting fot this month about the generation I did not understand it at all! I think it is too much difficult…maybe it is because I am young and so… but still, I think it does not makes sense. But in other way, when I try to look at it differently it kind of make sense. Because the are all old (except Mark Sanderson he is about 50 only) and all look like they are going to die in like 10 or 20 years, so the end of this system is really near…. But not that near because Mark Sanderson is only 50…so he can still be here for like 30 years, and I am from Europe, and you probably noticed what is going on here… I really start to frighten that there is war soon here, and I don’t want to suffer in a stupid war…. Although I know Jehovah God will protects us but still…
    So anyway, I don’t like to see the old brothers in such a modern tv thing, this should be for someone younger, so he can encourage others more…

    • September 28, 2015 at 6:18 am
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      Dear Abby, I was a Witness from around 1964 until last year and I was afraid of Armageddon all those years. The Watchtowers are all aimed to make us afraid it is going to happen at any time. It took me months of intensive research about the real history of the Organization to realize that the Watchtower is only a publishing company who is using the Bible to scare people into serving it with free labor to build up it’s real estate empire.

      Please do research about when Jerusalem really fell (586/587 B.C.E. not 607 B.C.E.). Please research what was being printed around 1918-1919 to see if Jesus would have chosen that organization as it preached an entirely different message then than it does now with celebrating birthdays, cross and Christmas and loads of other crazy stuff. Research to make sure that God would have chosen the Watchtower as his one and only true channel from him to mankind. Research from the Bible to find out if God needs a channel to communicate to man. The Bible doesn’t say anything like that.

      Before you get baptized, make sure you know what you are doing. Once you are baptized, you can’t just change your mind later without being shunned.

      • September 28, 2015 at 7:28 am
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        Thanks fo responding.
        I think that it is true armagedon can happen at any time according to Matthew 24:36 “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.”

        You wrote “They are only a publishing company who is using the Bible to scare people into serving it with free labor to build up it’s real estate empire.” well, it does not make sense for me then because why would Jehovah wanted to be a paradise on the earth when some human organization would be able do that by themselves. If you meant this… I think only God can make real change. Another thing that is interesting for me – if they wanted to build estate empire why they would do that when they know the end is near and one biblical verse says: “Store your treasure in heaven, not on earth.” (Matthew 6:19-34) so why empire? The evil one would destroy it anyway because he hates Jehovah God and JW’s people.

        I think Jesus wouldn’t have chosen that kind of organization but what if he gave them the right direction through the following years so they should not celebrate holiday or use a cross.
        Perhaps I know it was a symbol for quite a long time on their publishing but they were not call themselves JW yet but only the Bible scholars right?

        And where can I research what God would haev chosen as true channel – if there is another channel?

    • October 13, 2015 at 12:36 pm
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      @abbey, As I progressed in my research about Jesus’ eschatological prophecy about the end of the world, I realized it never happened in his generation or any other. Recently I ran into a youtube video: “Jesus was Wrong”, explains exactly what I always suspected: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH9Q6ig02P8

  • September 28, 2015 at 5:47 am
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    And also when I see them speaking in front of the camera I feel like they don’t like it to be there. It seems to be like they are bored or something. They don’t show as much emotions and happiness as the serving brothers and sisters in the other videos. It kinda makes me frustrated to listen to them and see them. They’re like without life…
    I know I’m not supposed to talk bad about them, but I just can’t help myself…

  • October 6, 2015 at 10:23 am
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    I would like to ask Mr Splane this question:

    Which anointed understood that 1914 was a special year?

    Was he a brother in Africa? Did they get letters from anointed around the world realising this special year?

    The only anointed that understood that was Russell. The society boss. What a strange coincidence.

    Who decided the the baptisimal questions should be changed? The anointed around the world, the Bible, God?
    No, the leaders.

    Who come up with the overlapping lie? the truth lovers around the world?

    No sane persone can come up with that conclusion.

    So please Mr Splane do not say the anointed but the org leaders invent the doctrines.

    The problem is that these guys say whatever they like and people do not check. This is how fairy tails are converted in truths.

  • October 7, 2015 at 6:28 am
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    I have had my doubts about this organization’s teachings for some years. But this latest teaching is the epitome of cow dung. It could signal the end of this empire.

    • October 13, 2015 at 12:40 pm
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      @Jackson, the NT it seems a “romanized” account. As I progressed in my research about Jesus’ eschatological prophecy about the end of the world, I realized it never happened in his generation or any other. Recently I ran into a youtube video: “Jesus was Wrong”, explains exactly what I always suspected: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH9Q6ig02P8

  • October 12, 2015 at 8:47 am
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    It is also very curious that the anointed (in practice only Russell did) were able to discern Christ presence but at the same time could not understand that Christ could not be worshipped.

    Another for decades were necessary to understand that.
    http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/worship-jesus.php

    They can have some success because their followers do not do any proper research. If they did they would spot the total non sense.

  • October 13, 2015 at 6:03 am
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    Thanks again “Cedar” for your excellent work to uncover the TRUTH about the “truth”. I’m an old timer sort of speak. I was baptized in Brooklyn in 1971 but I got out of the WT around 1978. I knew something was definitely wrong with the WT teachings but I need it to prove it with evidence. It took me years till in 1997 got my 1st computer, then a wealth of information was in reach. My research took me further than the WT cult. I started examining Christianity’s history, the Bible, and the NT in particular. Jesus teachings about “loving and praying for enemies” and “selling all material possessions and giving it to the poor” made no sense to me. Common sense, natural self preservation tells you those teachings goes against rational reasoning. As I progressed in my research about Jesus’ eschatological prophecy about the end of the world, I realized it never happened in his generation or any other. Recently I ran into a youtube video: “Jesus was Wrong”, explains exactly what I always suspected: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH9Q6ig02P8

  • October 13, 2015 at 12:44 pm
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    @Anthony, As I progressed in my research about Jesus’ eschatological prophecy about the end of the world, I realized it never happened in his generation or any other. Recently I ran into a youtube video: “Jesus was Wrong”, explains exactly what I always suspected: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH9Q6ig02P8

  • September 29, 2016 at 12:41 am
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    I have seen this apostates videos on Youtube. It is mind blowing how Cedar believe he can use his own understanding to correct Jehovah’s anointed. I have found several mistakes in Cedars rebuttals. 1st the “Truth” is just that the truth. Romans 3:4 sates, “Certainly not! But let God be found true, even if every man be found a liar…” 2nd Cedar attempts to lead people away form the teachings of JW, but not once does he use the Bible. Jeremiah 10:23. this verse shows that man can’t even lead himself so how can Cedar lead others. 3rd
    God is not a man that he should lie nor the son of man that he shall feel regret. (Numbers 23:19) This being said this apostate has made Jehovah God a liar in say that he does not keep his promises. READ Isaiah 55:11. In this same chapter of the inspired word of God Isaiah wrote “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So my ways are higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isiah 55:9) If Jehovah clearly state that man is a liar and he is the truth then how can this man who is less than God correct the things said by Jehovah’s anointed? Nor only that but most people that follow this blog agree with this apostate cause what he says tickles their ears. (2 Timothy 4:3) Now let us consider the fulfillment of Prophecy: Namely 1914, What were Jesus’ word in Mathew 24 and 25 concerning the end of the Satanic system of things. What did Daniel prophesy in the 12 chapter of Daniel. During what “time” are Daniel and Jesus referring to. What is the great woe mentioned in Revelation 12? Who are those with “insight” in Daniel 12? How long is “times, half a time” mentioned in Daniel 12:7? can you answer this? Please, tell me do you Know? Is it for man to know?
    Answer: Wars and rumors of War- WWI was know as the war that change the world-BBC
    This war started in 1914
    607 BCE the trampling of Jehovah’s people begins with the Babylonian exile. this will end at the appointed time (Luke 21:24)
    Ezekiel 21:26-27 shows that Jesus has the legal right to rule God’s kingdom.
    When would That kingdom be established? Answer Daniel 2:44
    Continuing as to how 1914 is the “time” of the end of this wicked system ruled by Satan.
    Daniel chapter 4 tells of 7 times. How long is that?
    7=3.5×2 Revelation 12:6,14 or 3 and 1/2 years
    or 1260 days. so 7 times would be 1260 days x2 or 2520 days. If we apply the principal found at Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6 then 1 day = 1 year, a day for a years. So 2520 days or 7 times= 2520 years. 2520 years from what? Answer: From the time that Jerusalem was trampled or 607 BCE. this would mean that at 1913 the times of the nations would end, however we know that there is no 0 year so that would mean that we need to add a year to = the some total of 2520 year. this would bring us to 1914. Now form Science, History, Math, and the Bible we can see that 1914 is the beginning of the end of this system of things that Jesus and Daniel mentioned in the Bible. 1914 is not WHEN the Satanic system would end but when its beginning of being concluded or brought to end would come. When will it END? Only God knows that. However we are given a sign Mathew 24 and 25 give a good detail of that sign. Can we say that ever since the Great War or WWI this world has be in WOE? Lets reason together Paul said. Do you think that the END of Satan’s system is near.

    • September 29, 2016 at 1:03 am
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      You wrote so many easily shown to be false crap that I do not know where to start.

    • September 29, 2016 at 3:34 am
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      Roy, do you think that Jesus couldn’t count years? If Jesus said he didn’t even know when the “end” would be, then what makes you think Jehovah’s Witnesses are smarter then Jesus when they say they can figure it out by putting different scriptures together?

      If Charles Russell has been demoted to the John class, then what makes you think that Jehovah was giving him special information to pin point 1914? Up until 1943, the Watchtower taught that Jesus returned in 1874 and you can find that in the Proclaimer’s book on page 133 so the Watchtower wasn’t watching for Jesus because they thought that he had already come.

      David Splane said that only the anointed were smart enough to see the sign in 1914 in one of their latest speeches and so that was an out and out lie, proved by the Proclaimer’s book so what makes you think that Jehovah would be backing a bunch of liars?

      Also, look up in any enclyclopedia and you will see that Jerusalem was destroyed in 586/687 B.C.E. and not 607 B.C.E. Jehovah’s Witnesses are the only ones stupid enough to believe the Society when they claim it happened in 607 B.C.E. and they are being made fools of to spread that fictional lie.

      Just a side note: Look up in your Insight book under mediator and you will see that the Governing Body claim that they are the only ones who Jesus is the mediator for. You do not have a way to approach Jehovah through Jesus. Only they have that approach to Jehovah. Did you know that? If you don’t understand that, then ask your elders about it and you will be accused of being an apostate too. We don’t need scriptures.

      Another lie that the Society keeps telling you and we all believed is that the Society put God’s name back in the Bible when in the Feb. 1, 1980 Watchtower magazine in the article “The Divine Name in Modern Times” says that Jehovah was the invention of a Catholic monk in the 1200’s A.D. The name Jehovah was never in the Bible so how could they “restore” it in the Bible? If they were going to “restore” God’s name it would be YHVH, not Jehovah. Even the “Bible in Living English” in it’s forward says that the name Jehovah was a “blunder” and that Bible was printed by the Watchtower Society. If you have one, read the forward and you will see for yourself.

    • September 29, 2016 at 7:50 am
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      “Can we say that ever since the Great War or WWI this world has be in WOE?”

      From what I can see the world has improved since 1914 … we live longer, many diseases have been eradicated, education is within reach of many more people and I could go on. If you could choose… would you live in 1800 or in our days?

      • September 29, 2016 at 10:51 am
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        Well said Victor! Any that want to claim that things are so much worse now, let them go back and live the way things were pre 1914. Deal with measles, mumps, whooping cough, etc. Need antibiotics? Tough, they didn’t exist pre 1914. A simple infection could kill you. Most families lost at one child to disease if not more. The US civil war (1861-1865) was one of the bloodiest ever fought. It killed more Americans they both world wars. No wonder they thought they were in the last days in 1874! But who back then knew things would actually improve?

        Due to their own congnitive dissonance people are driven to try to find reasons to believe things are so much worse today, rather than accept the evidence that the JWs predictions are a complete bust.

        Here’s an interesting tidbit about flawed prophecy. CT Russell used the dimensions of the pyramid at Giza to prove that 1874 was the start of the parousia. However as he began to change his focus toward 1914, he changed the measurements he reported in later editions of studies in the scriptures. You can read both the early and later editions here: http://www.neirr.org/pyramidscheme.htm

        WS

  • April 2, 2017 at 2:42 am
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    Contrary to your headline, I think he not only explains it, but explains it very clearly. One may not agree with the explanation, but what is being said makes sense. It also eliminates the continued adding infinitum generation theory, as any further generation would be part of the generation before, but not of the ‘original’ generation from understanding in 1914. Again, whether one chosen to accept the explanation is purely a personal choice..

    • April 2, 2017 at 8:49 am
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      Bo Janglez, Jesus was speaking about his own generation that he was living in being done away with and it was in 70 C.E. when Titus destroyed Jerusalem. End of story.

      Matthew 28 says that Jesus was given all authority on heaven and earth at his death.

      There is nothing in the Bible that says that Jesus began ruling in heaven in 1914 and came “invisibly” to the earth and looked at all the religions and chose Watchtower as his only “true” religion. If Jesus chose the Watchtower as his only “true” religion in 1919, then Jesus and Jehovah would be approving of celebrating birthdays and Christmas and the cross today because that is what the Witnesses were doing in 1919.

      Good intentions aren’t what make a “true” religion.
      Printing religious books and calling it spiritual “food” isn’t what makes a “true” religion.
      Refusing to vote doesn’t make it a “true” religion.
      Preaching the name Jehovah doesn’t make it a “true” religion” especially when the name Jehovah was never in the Bible in the first place but an invention of a Catholic monk in the 1200’s A.D.
      Refusing to join in the army isn’t what makes a “true” religion.
      Growing numbers isn’t what makes a “true” religion, especially when we have no idea how many of the “new” members are children of Witnesses already converted.
      Refusing to allow “gays” into a religion isn’t what makes it a “true” religion.
      What makes it not a true religion is allowing pedophiles to roam free in your Kingdom halls and nobody is to know about it or report them to the police on the threat of being expelled themselves for spilling the beans and making the religion look bad in the eyes of the “world”.
      What makes it not a “true” religion is making a rape victim appear before a committee and making her prove her innocence or be disfellowshiped for consenting to the rape and committing adultery or fornication.
      What makes it not a “true” religion is tricking people and especially young children into getting baptized when they are not allowed to read anything critical of the religion first and not being allowed to even question whether or not the Society is actually being run by Jehovah and Jesus.
      What makes it not a “true” religion is shunning anybody who finds out about what the Bible “really” says that is different that what the Society teaches and tells somebody about it and then gets disfellowshiped for apostasy.
      What makes it not a “true” religion is classifying people into categories such as pioneers, elders, ministerial servants, special pioneers, Governing Body, and “only” publishers and being encouraged to only associate with those who are “spiritually” good enough for you to associate with lest you be brought down “spiritually”.
      What makes it not a true religion is when the rank and file are kept from knowing about all the sex abuse scandals and the real history of the organization and how their donations are being used to pay off sex abuse victims instead of building new Kingdom Halls for the poor people in the 3rd world.
      What makes it not a true religion is buying up properties and using their brothers and sisters to improve those buildings with “slave” labor and then reselling those properties for millions and millions of dollars more than what they paid for them and then building for themselves a “compound” in New York for themselves with the best of the best while the people in poor countries are still waiting for a roof over their heads during meetings.
      What makes it not a “true” religion is lying about when Jerusalem was really destroyed to keep the rank and file in the dark about how the Society came up with the “invisible” appearance of Jesus in 1914.
      What makes it not a “true” religion is disfellowshipping anybody who tells anybody about how they found out that Jerusalem was really destroyed in 586/587 B.C.E. instead of 607 B.C.E.
      What makes it not a true religion is twisting scriptures to make them say something they don’t say like when Watchtower printed it’s own “version” of the Bible and said that Jephthah didn’t actually fulfill his vow to Jehovah by actually killing his only daughter and burning her up as a burnt sacrifice to his god Jehovah and ending Judges chapter 11 by saying: “From year to year the daughters of Israel would go to give commendation to the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite, four days in the year.” instead of like the King James says: “That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.”There is a reason Watchtower wants you to read only their Bible and not the King James because of scriptures like the one I quoted above.
      What makes it not a “true” religion is lying about why the Society was a member of the United Nations for ten years when we all know that the U.N. is the beast in Revelation that is supposed to turn on all religions and destroy them and then if you tell anybody about how you found out that the Society was a member of the U.N. for ten years, you will be hauled before a committee and disfellowshiped for apostasy. You can find out about stuff like that but you had better keep your mouth shut and never tell anybody what you found out or be shunned and if you find out about all the things the Society is lying about and want to stop going to meetings and just fade, you will be monitored for the rest of your life so if you do something against the rules like putting up a Christmas tree or buy a birthday present for somebody, you will be expelled and shunned from every body you ever knew in the “truth” and that includes even your own family.

      They don’t want you to take any classes about the Bible, other than what you read in their literature because if you take any classes (such as in college) and you actually study the history of the Bible and you learn about things that disagree with what Watchtower says about it or doesn’t say and you tell anybody about it in your congregation, you will be expelled and shunned for apostasy.
      You will shunned and treated as bad association if you do go to college but if you do go to college and get a degree, you will be treated with extra respect and admiration and given jobs that lowly publishers (who followed the rules and didn’t go to college) will never get.

      Watchtower is so far from being a “true” religion that it’s almost funny but it’s not funny.

      People are dying for that religion every day because they are being kept in the dark, not only about the true nature of the Watchtower organization but about how they are being used and abused by it in the guise of saving the world before the “end” comes. It’s a doomsday cult just like all the other doomsday cults since the beginning of time.

      That is my definition of what is “not” a “true” religion.

    • April 2, 2017 at 9:00 am
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      @Bo,

      When Jesus first told his disciples (in the first century) this prophecy about the generation not passing away, did they understand that an overlapping generation would take place before Jerusalem was destroyed? If they did, they must have had the socks shocked off them when the destruction happened less than 40 years later, before any generation could overlap.

      If the disciples did not understand this to mean an overlapping generation, why must we?

  • April 13, 2017 at 10:50 am
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    Hi there, you guys rock, keep up the good work. I want to share an observation with you. In his presentation for “this generation” brother Splane quotes a scripture to prove the “overlapping” generations. He uses Exodus 1:6 which reads
    “Joseph eventually died, and also all his brothers and all that generation.” He then went on to say as you will see in the video that a generation are people alive at the same time. Now according to this reasoning that generation was everyone alive at the same time as Joseph and his brothers in the whole world. In other words when the scripture says all that generation died, it means that everyone on earth alive at that time died. The whole world died. So how are we alive if this is true. If that is not a nail that he put in the coffin himself, then I really don’t know what else could be.

  • April 21, 2017 at 9:41 am
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    MEASURUNG A GENERATION USING WORLD POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS BY AGE, VITAL STATISTICS, GERONTOLOGY STUDIES, GOVERNMENT CENSUS AND THE CALANDAR YEAR OR HISTORICAL EVENTS
    Today with well-kept vital statistics (birth and death certificates) along with technology, it is possible more than ever to measure, quantify and qualify populations and generations. In order to determine the length of a generation this study will use the calendar year, Pre-World War One, the World War One generations and a single family line of decent as an example.
    The Calendar Year
    A calendar year generation expires when the last oldest living person born in that specific year dies. It’s just that simple.
    As an example; Emma Morano (2) was born November 29, 1899 and was considered to be the oldest verifiable living person in the world at 117 years 108 days old; as of March 17, 2017. She died on April 15, 2017, living 117 yrs. 137 days.
    Secondly, Emma Morano had one other distinction; she was believed to be the very last verifiable person alive who was born in 1899. Keep in mind Emma Morano was once a new born baby. On Dec. 31, 1899 the last newest born baby (ies) and the oldest living person(s) marked the parameters of the generation of 1899, with everybody else, the entire world population, in between. They all continued to die off until the last one, Emma Morano was left. When she died, the generation of 1899 died. In fact all other generations in the past years 1898, 1897, 1896 etc. have also passed away.
    Historical Events
    The second way to mark a generation is by using an historical date. It works the same way as the calendar year except a specific historical date is used. When the last oldest living person, who was born the closest to the event, or on the day of the event, dies, that generation is dead. That’s it!
    One question is: How many people left, from a given time period, amount to a generation? Is it 10,000; 1000; 100; 10 or just 1? There is no answer to this question. However, once the last living person dies, so dies the generation.
    Because Emma Morano was born in Nov. 1899, before WWI began, she is part of the pre-World War One generation. Today there are still thousands of people who were born on or before July 27, 1914, the day before WWI began. Therefore the pre-WWI generation is still alive and will be for a short time until the last oldest living person, who must have been born on or before July 27, 1914 dies.
    In other words, when the oldest living verifiable person is found to be born on or after July 28, 1914, the day World War One began, the pre-World War One generation will be dead; it’s the generation’s end.
    Therefore to determine the length of a generation, all you have to do is keep an eye on who is the oldest living person, the date of this person’s birth and the event date in question.

    Measuring a Generation-A World Population
    It should be kept in mind that because WWI was a world event, the entire world population can be used to take the measurement of a generation. WWI was declared, erupting on July 28, 1914 a historically marked time period. Therefore, anyone born on and before July 27, 1914 is part of the pre-WWI generation. Most were also alive to experience WWI at that time. (If a person wants to be accurate to the extreme, you can use the very day, hour, minute and second before WWI was declared to divide the pre-WWI generation from the WWI generation. Just find the official document of declaration of war and check for a time stamp, if one exists.)
    Statistical Data
    It is possible to know how many people are still alive from that WWI area. According to the World Almanac there were approx. 1.6 billion people on the face of the earth about that time. As always the world population age ranged from the very oldest people to the newest born babes. Today in 2017 those newest born babes are some of the oldest people on the face of the earth
    In 2014 it was estimated by the United States that there were 450,549 (1)(5) people around the world who were 100 years old or older. Statistically, of all those who live to be 100 years old, only 1 out of 1,000 will live to be 110. That means at the 110 year mark from the date of July 27, 1914, there will be at best approximately 451 people round the world who will be 110 years old and older.
    According to supercentenarian studies, (supercentenarians are people 110 years old and older)(3) once people hit the age of 110 they will die off at 2 out of every 3, until full mortality is reached at around 114 to 116 years of age, with possibly, not always, only a very few, 1 or 2 or so, going beyond that age. Very few make it to 117 or older. In fact from 1955 to the time of this writing, March 2017, only six verifiable people have lived to be 117. Only 2 lived beyond that age, one to 119 and the other, Jeanne Louise Calment who lived to 122 years, 164 days. Most of the oldest living people died at 114 years of age. (Keep in mind researchers are unable to determine whether they have all the information at hand and so use best figures at that particular time.)
    The question is how long will they live and so mark the end of the Pre-World War One generation? Only time will tell. (One point of note: the Spanish Influenza took many lives and may have cut short the length of time of the oldest living people from that pre-WWI generation, the WWI generation and the post-WWI generation. Nevertheless as always, when the last one dies, regardless of their age, the generation dies.)
    The WWI Generation
    WWI ended on November 11, 1918. Therefore the generation of WWI was composed of those people living when WWI broke out and those who were born during WWI. (July 28, 1914 to November 10, 1918.) Once the last pre-WWI generation member dies, the next generation to become the oldest living people on the face of the earth will be those who were born during WWI. They will die off a few years after the pre-WWI generation. Anyone born after Nov.10, 1918, is not of the WWI generation but they are part of the post-WWI generation.
    This being said, people live through various events in their lives. Someone who was part of the pre-WWI generation, if they lived long enough, was also part of the WWI generation and the post-WWI generation. If they lived even longer they were also part of the pre-WWII generation and the WWII generation. Some of them actually participated in WWII. (Note: the post-WWI generation can also be known as the pre-WII generation depending on how someone wants to present an idea.)
    A Step Down
    A generation can also be used to mean a step down or the next step in the line of one’s decent. As an example, a married couple who were born in the pre-WWI era has a baby born the day after WWI began. That baby cannot be part of the pre-WWI generation. But it is a part of the WWI generation as are the parents. Generations cannot perpetuate but events can go on a long time after a generation has died such as some wars which have historically lasted hundreds of years.
    Consider the seasons of the year. Summer, fall, winter and spring are specific. They each are definite marked time periods starting on a given day every year and ending on a given day every year. Spring does not and cannot perpetuate or overlap into summer regardless of the temperature or world events. So it is with a generation, it is marked either by a specific historical date or calendar year. When the last oldest living person dies, the generation dies. Generations come and go just as spring time and the other seasons come and go. Multiple events can go on within the life of a generation. Likewise the reverse is true, past wars of history have prolonged for hundreds of years, while multiple generations have been born and died within those war years.
    There may be some claims that generations are built around historical events. However, this claim brings up the question, when does the generation end? How many years after an historical event must be counted to still mean a specific generation is in existence? It becomes arguable and hazy and not worth discussing as it yields no certain answer. It is much more specific and exact to count those who were born after an event ended as the post- generation of such an event.
    Use of the Word Generation
    BEWARE: It’s important to know how the word generation is being used within the context of the speaker or writer to understand the specific meaning of the word. This report doesn’t cover every use of the word. See a dictionary for more information.
    Unverifiable Ages
    At this point take note we have been dealing with verifiable birth records and not unverifiable claims of a person claiming to be older than those whose ages are verifiable. How these unverifiable individuals should be viewed depends upon other factors or questions. Here are some examination questions to use to determine if such a person’s age can be accepted. (4)
    1) Is the person male or female? Usually women live longer than men. So the odds against male claimants being the age claimed is reduced but not out of the question.
    2) Is the person from a developed country or a third world country? In third world countries there is usually little to no health care and more lawlessness. A person’s life is cut short by these and other factors.
    3) Is the person literate? If the person is not literate, they probably can’t count. Nonetheless to be certain, ask the person if they can count? If so, ask when did they learn how to count? Was it late in life? If late in life this isn’t a valid test. But if a person claims they learned to count at an early age, use this test:
    As an example, if a person claims to be 150 years old, ask the person to count from 0 to 150. If that person misses half the numbers than its probable that person is 75 years old or close to that age. In other words, however many numbers they miss during the count, subtract that from the age they claim.
    4) Does the claimant know what a calendar is? Do they know how to use it? If they never or sporadically had a calendar, then it’s much easier to lose track of time and they may have guessed at their age now and then.
    5) Does the person smoke, chew tobacco, use drugs for recreation, over eat or engage in any habits that cut a person’s life short? In developed countries these habits, despite medical care, do indeed cut one’s life short; so it becomes very questionable if a third world claimant is the age they claim.
    6) Does the person have any health problems? As an example, a weak heart. This in itself will affect a person’s memory as a weak heart doesn’t pump enough blood to the brain and so affects the memory.
    In conclusion, anyone who can’t verify their claims to be older than those who can validate their age is probably not accurate and should be held highly questionable and probably discounted.

    References:
    (1) World Population by Age and Sex – U.S. Census Bureau
    https://www.census.gov › … › Data › International Data Base

    (2) List of the verified oldest people – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_verified_oldest_people

    (3) Supercentenarian – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercentenarian

    (4) Typologies of Extreme Longevity Myths – Hindawi
    https://www.hindawi.com/journals/cggr/2010/423087/
    (5) (http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/theme/ageing/index.shtml). Their current estimate for world population 100+ in the year 2015 is 451000
    See Also:
    Centenarian – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centenarian

    Guinness World Records, see oldest living person.
    (https://esa.un.org/unpd/popdev/Profilesofageing2015/index.html). If you have further questions on this information, you can contact Population Division directly at population@un.org.
    “Table C – World’s Oldest Person (WOP) Titleholders Since 1955”. grg.org. Retrieved 27 July 2015.

  • April 24, 2017 at 9:50 am
    Permalink

    The Amplified Bible reads Matt. 24:34 this way, “Truly I tell you, this generation (the whole multitude of people living at the same time, in a definite given period) will not pass away till all these things taken together take place.”

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