Early October 2014 will mark precisely 100 years of Christ’s invisible rule from the heavens – according to the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
As this website has already pointed out, the passage of the centenary should be a cause of some embarrassment to the Watch Tower Society, who for decades have taught that the interval between Christ’s 1914 enthronement and Armageddon would only be a “short period of time.” (Rev. 12:12)
But rather than understate the significance, there has been a concerted effort in recent publications to capitalize on the year 2014 with the apparent aim of heightening expectations among Witnesses. A clear example of this can be found in the new March edition of the Witness-only journal, Our Kingdom Ministry.
The final paragraph on page 2, in an article about the forthcoming Memorial, reads as follows…
Witnesses will be quick to point out that the above paragraph doesn’t definitively say the 2014 Memorial WILL be the last. Even so, it is beyond reasonable doubt that its careful wording is intended as a nod towards the 1914 Centenary, since the writers describe the 2014 Memorial as a “unique opportunity to show gratitude.” Why should this year’s Memorial be more unique than any other year if not for the Centenary?
Though the writers are rightly careful about making any firm predictions, they can certainly be said to be toying with Witnesses – encouraging them to entertain the prospect of Armageddon coming in 2014.
Such teasing may produce a short-term effect, with perhaps some Witnesses deciding to muster one last push for the 2014 Memorial season. But in the long run, falsely building up expectations can only backfire, as we saw in the years following 1975 when significant numbers left the organization in the wake of its failed prediction for that year.
There will always be goldfish Witnesses with short memories who will readily respond to ANY goading from Watchtower over the nearness of Armageddon, no matter how repetitive it may be. But then there are elephant Witnesses who refuse to forget the past as readily as Watchtower would like them to.
As far as the latter are concerned, Watchtower needs to tread carefully.
Further reading…
Related video…
I wonder if there is a place where it’s possible to see Our Kingdom Ministry copies … It should be interesting to read. I haven’t seen one in years.
It’s a real art, you know, creating an effect then saying “oh, but I never said THAT” …
I remember about 1975, although the argument changes over time, the “method” remains the same.
http://jwleaks.org/
For your downloading pleasure….
Thank you so much enrigonz !
You should be able to access it with this link. It is available on JWN most months.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/vk0dfm
I’m not sure if teasing is the right word, they are just trying to play the same old con trick on their followers that they have played countless times before.
I think as John says it will probably work and there will be an increase this year in memorial attendance, but in the long term will do them no good.
Hold on a sec. You mean to say that this isn’t the last ever memorial? Damn. I wish it was. I keep getting invites from Jehovah’s Witnesses and it’s so frustrating.
If this were the last one, they wouldn’t bother me any more. Yay!
Love,
Jaymes
Much of Watchtower doctrine does seem to be based on the presupposition that the deity has a curious affinity for round numbers.
This is basically the same as what Dr. Who does in the UK. Every so often, it’s the “last episode ever” and every time they get more views. The society know that memorial numbers are down since 2011 and this is essentially a publicity stunt to boost their yearbook figures.
I am sure thats what they said from 1968-1974, does that mean I am an elephant? Can I have a badge please?
I find it revolting that the GB have used this wording. As I said to my dear old mum, the end cannot come until a witness has been given to the entire inhabited earth. There are 2 billion or so people in India and China who have most probably never even heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Will this Memorial be the last? Hell no!
Yet it doesn’t stop the GB causing psychological damage to the rank and file with this spurious question.
Notice that this isn’t in the public domain, so normal folks won’t see it.
Yet another example of the mind games that are used by the GB to keep the poor old witness rank and file under their control. It sickens me.
Peace be with you
Excelsior!
Thanks for the link alanv.
This COULD be your last chance to publicly REJECT Christ’s sacrifice!
The GB has already set themselves up in positions as lawmakers and judges. Jesus had better show up this time. The Master’s delay is starting to make them look foolish.
Or, maybe they will pass around a new emblem for all the obedient to partake. Don’t swallow the blue pill! That would be one way for them to ensure that this is the last memorial. How many would die in obedience, with the assurance that Jehovah will remember them?
Oh well, 1975 all over again but written with selective words not to get burn again. Between the lines the WT is hoping this year will end in Armageddon. Again crying wolf for the duped rank and file.
It seems to my family that I’m not only an elephant, but a White Elephant. I think that the WTBTS knows that the 100 year anniversary has got to be swirling around in the minds of many Jws. So they pull something like this to get them to hang on for a bit more. This would get them to at least Memorial 2015 safely out of the mine field of 2014=100 with Jesus napping on the job.
I remember in about 1990, I had been out about 8 years or so and I was quite low and my mom was trying to get me back in with being nice, (in comparison to not speaking to me for about the previous 6 years), I said to a friend “well what if they are right”, she said “are you feeling well?” “you need a sugar rush, lets go and get some donuts”. I have never been sucked in again. Now thats a true friend.
If the reign of Christ is already running since 1914, this means that it remains 900 years of his millennial kingdom. ¿So how can all his anointed brothers reign with him a thousand years, as we read in Revelation 20:6, if the resurrection of these anointed brothers began in 1918 (four years after the alleged onset of his reign), and we know, on the other hand, as the Watchtower claim, that almost 8500 of these brothers are still living with us on earth?
It could be the last one, … just like every other one for the last century!
One can hope!
Faithful Witness,
“a new emblem for all the obedient to partake”? Maybe but:
(John 6:53) Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, YOU have no life in yourselves. . .
UNFORTUNATELY, those who partake today “have no life in themselves. . . WHY? “A number of factors—including past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalance—might cause some to assume mistakenly that they have the heavenly calling” (w11 8/15 p. 22 )!
Great story! But be careful who you share it with, the GB might think that is a great idea… Donuts win over A LOT of people. To increase attendance they could pass the bread and wine, then they could pass around Krispy Kreme donuts. Because Christ’s sacrifice they have no issue rejecting, but no one can pass up a donut!
Once again the Society uses the old “carrot in front of the rabbit trick” – taunting their members with the end and the new system. You would think that after more than 100 years of failed prophecies (they used to teach that Christ began his heavenly rule in 1874, then when that failed it was moved to 1914) they would have no members left, yet they keep taunting them and their members swallow it hook, line and sinker.
I really believe that many are waking up though. This little parlor trick of theirs may work for now, but in the long run, I see an exodus happening.
This is the very same question I continue to ask myself and others but to no avail. As they just do not see it. Loved your comment.
My last comment was in response to Mario….
The wording is not as coy as previous attempts to project the end, but clever nonetheless. It plays the same mind-f* games as other denominations in stating that the flock is “one heartbeat away from the presence of Jesus”. For some aging population who were never to pass away before the fulfillment of “all these things,” it may well be the last Memorial. For others, like the family in Columbia, SC, 2013 was their last Memorial.
The point that is made with each Memorial is a time of reflection on where one’s standing in relationship with Christ Jesus rests. However, it is clearly a wording change in highlighting the Memorial in terms of the 100 year milestone in being “around” 100 years of Christ’s reign [according to the new New World Translation timeline].
But, let’s get down to the nitty gritty of the matter. It’s well over a 100 years of projecting the Second Advent, because we need to look at 1844 as the start of it all. And, we can even rollback through time to identify various other denominations and sects which projected “end-time” at even earlier dates. All of these were the “beginning of sorrows”–the beginning of the cluster-f* without lube.
I was never a JW – just a nondescript Protestant who felt called by the Lord to witness to them. I always would say that I do not understand why they even hold this annual event in the first place. 1 Cor 11:26 states that we are to celebrate Communion “until [Jesus] returns.” Well, JWs believe He returned in 1914, right? So, why do they observe the Lord’s Supper?
Any day could be the last day, no one know except God. Armageddon they so love to preach will only come AFTER the great tribulation and not BEFORE, SEE matthew 24:29-30. Well it could be the last memorial for jws, i hope they dont come with some new light requiring everyone to partake. It iust could be …..the cool aid
Mario Alcese,
Perfect reasoning. 900 years remaining. and a 1000 years are meant to be the period Jesus would use to remove evil from the mind and heart of Survivors of Armageddon to make them “perfect”! I am afraid Jesus will fail his mission and all survivors will fail the last temptation at the end of a 1000 years (now 900 years)!!!
It reminds me about the quote Steve Jobs once used : “Consider each and every day as your last, one day you’ll be right”.
I read the analysis on BCE 607 vs 586 by Carl Jonsson … He was saying, there were so many calculations around the beginning of the 20th century that there were almost no period of years that wasn’t covered. So basically, if you shoot thousand times towards a target, once you hit it …
The issue about “the end” sounds so pointless to me, when we have a life expectency of 70-something years … As if, if it doesn’t happen now, we’ll have to wait long for “the end” …
The issue I see about this logic stated in the Kingdom Ministry is, if that day will come like a thief, people stand up every night running the alarm bells, leading everyone suffer sleep deprivation. I think a lot of people are too self-centric to expect grand things to happen during their life time for them to see …
There is a world of difference between the awareness and obsession …
In my car petrol tank of 60 liters. If I use 15 liters and after want, pour gasoline I can only refill 15 liters.No way to pour 25 liters. When I began to study the Bible in ’95, the memorial partakers worldwide on earth was 8000, that is in heaven was already 136 000. Missing until the total amount of 8000. Can anybody explain to me? why they are now 13204.?
Keep those donuts coming! :)
SMH…. (shaking my head)…… Unbelievable! They are so irritating to me!
I remember hearing similar comments at several assemblies and conventions. Will this be our last assembly? Or this time next year we could be past the end of the system. I think it’s dangling the carrot and leading the spiritual, discerning JW to draw their own conclusions. It’s always the followers fault ;-) Watchtower never said that….
John Preston,
Here is my answer to your question
*** w11 8/15 p. 22 Questions From Readers ***
A number of factors—including past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalance—might cause some to assume mistakenly that they have the heavenly calling.
All the stupidity is about Mental Illnesses…
A FUNNY EXPLANATION. If things continue like this,what will happen next?! How to react if in 10 years will be 50 000? Last year in Ukraine one brother(real-mentally healthy!!!),who walked for many years at the meeting took part in Memorial. He was immediately expelled from the Assembly. The elders said that he had no such right…
John Preston,
Let’s hope this Memorial will be their last, the last “Lord’s evening meal.” (w12 1/15 p. 26 par. 1) as I can foresee a “NEW LIGHT” in all these things: The GB are running out of “Jesus’ blood and flesh” as “PARTAKERS” (CONSUMERS) are steadily increasing (now 13204)!!
It seems “Other Sheep” are so thirsty and hungry that due to “mental or emotional imbalance” want to be “CONSUMERS”, too. Jesus’ body has reached the carrying capacity!!
(John 6:54, 55) . . .He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. . .
Your last statement is EXACTLY what worries me. My father and mother are DEEPLY indoctrinated in the cult. He desperately needs to know that Armageddon will wipe out a lifetime of bad decision making based on bad advice. Taking into account that last watchtower that says you have to obey even if it doesn’t make sense, I’m concerned they might be goaded into doing something drastic.
Im thinking this bait and switch crap isnt going to work any more. The population of the JWs is on average much older because they arent recruiting and the youth are leaving. Which hones the flock down to the jaded, been-there-done-that, got the T-shirt, crowd who have seen 75, and heard 1914 pounded into their psyches for the last 100 years. I predict there will be an outflow of disenchanted Dubs after October comes and goes…then December 31 midnight comes and goes….and they are still sitting there waiting for Armageddon like Delta Dawn waiting for her lover to return.
So glad to be out:
“I said to a friend “well what if they are right”, she said “are you feeling well?” “you need a sugar rush, lets go and get some donuts”. I have never been sucked in again. Now thats a true friend.”
Best. Friend. Ever.
Oh my do I have to re live 1969 through 1975 all over again. I’m now 81 years old still with same dysfunctional witness, During that time I was unaware that she had joined the club as I was working nights sleeping days, three kids which she drug off to the meetings. Then came mental break down hospitalization drug, drug therapy on and on the world is coming to an end bank account closed where did money go kids upset momma said were gonna die. You can’t believe the turmoil, She left went stay with pedophile, then again to hospital, no one to look after her she came back home , staid on drugs till 1970. Kids decided not for them they did;t go any more. Oh my 1975 came and went , She was relieved she hadn’t died. More legal drugs did’t miss a meeting. The pedophile guy and family moved away, Mr. R who baptized new witnesses in back of his Mercedes left town for hitting on younger ones. There were three or four incidents similar to this my kids got out of the club to much trauma, . My son said to me there all creepy. Some of us out here could really tell a lot of stories. Oh well enough for today..
@ Mario Olcese. they are no more that number (8500 or so ) but 8 (eight) precisely.
so as of today (01/25/2014), are living on this entire earth, only 8 of this brothers of Jesus.
At their respective ages ( who theb youngest?!), no wonder they fell dying in a domino effect. I am not wishing their rapid end in death, but simply mourning over their rebellion against JESUS CHRIST whom they reject as if the Lord Jesus cursed them. The memorial is even the sacred momemt for these 8 “gringos” to display their fierce hatred against Jesus.
One thing is to “accept” everything (the reality of Jesus for instance) mentioned in the bible or any book labeled holy scripture, the other thing is to invite JESUS CHRIST to be one’s Lord and Saviour and let him live/dwell in(side) of you, not in union with you.
Do these discret govbody slaves have the spirit of Jesus in them and guiding them?
As for YOU Jdubs… have you ever ever ever ever….READ 1John5:12-13 ????? to see and to see and to understand that YOU HAVE everlasting life already because of Jesus!!!!! or maybe you believe in Michael the Jesus, only with your mouth not with your heart (Isiah 8:20).
…always keeping their fears in the forfront.
Interesting aside comments on the 144,000 count, why keep celebrating Communion if Christ has returned, etc, etc. I consider this misdirection sourced by Watchtower–smoke and mirrors, because as Cedars highlighted in a previous blog, the real question is total obedience through conditioning behavior to not question authority.
Tie-in, it’s my favorite thing… with the Milgram experiment and the pill
So, for the “rebels” out there who believe they would never take the pill, let’s move to a different experiment. It’s actually been running for years if you’ve sat there hypnotized by the sparkling wine glass and the flattened crackers. I always asked myself, why doesn’t my arm reach for the glass? why can’t I just take a bite of that nasty tasting cracker and bland “unleavened” bread [don’t ask–]? sometimes a prayer that I didn’t forget “my place” in “J*’s divine arrangement” [trigger phrase–oh sweetie, don’t crawl under the dinner table….(sounds of whimpering)].
So, Milgram, again. The crowd facing the back of the elevator and the subject turns to “fit in” with the crowd. No one drinks; no one eats. Those who do are viewed with suspicion (“mentally diseased” and uninformed Christians) unless they have tons of gray hair and a tale of being harassed as an early book salesman for Rutherford or locked away in a Nazi/Communist concentration camp. More conditioning, so obedience becomes automatic; there will be no resistance when the time comes. So, the pill has been swallowed. It’s a matter of waiting, waiting for the subjects to become disoriented and dizzy, knees buckling and gripping at their stomachs as the poison takes effect.
This not not the last Memorial, they have to finish building the new Beth Sarim compound first! Telling JWs to show gratitude is like thanking the masters for letting them pick their cotton! “Oh master I know I should be more thankful to you for allowing me a
life of serving you, all while wearing this heavy yoke!” “it IS a privilege to build this compound for Jehovah for you to reside in!”
Our Creator give us memory and the ability to write history(or rewrite it like the WT). WT record is loaded with false, wrong announcements which make their claim invalid. If Armageddon will come tomorrow their recorded history will condemn them and not the rest of the world.