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Q3. What changes have there been to the Generation teaching?

Answer: There have been at least six main changes to the interpretation of Matthew 24:34, “Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.”

The context of this scripture in Matthew 24 describes people living around 33 AD who would be alive when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D. It is doubtful that Jesus had in mind a second fulfilment for our time, and completely unsupported to say the generation will last so long it requires an overlap. See Last Days Q2.

The New Testament applies the word generation consistently to evildoers in a negative connotation, yet since 2008 the Watchtower applies this term to the righteous anointed.

Sadly, based on the ever-changing Watchtower interpretations, many have made unalterable life-changing decisions affecting their family relationship (singleness, no children), education (no university education), job prospects (no qualifications, careers) and finance (no high-paying jobs, no overtime, no pension plans).

Here is direction given over 50 years ago in 1969: “If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. Of the generation that observed the beginning of the “last days” in 1914, Jesus foretold: “This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.” (Awake! 1969 May 22^nd p.15)

The diagram above from “The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life” page 95 represents the understanding held by the Watchtower for decades.

The succession of changes has kept millions in an unhealthy state of unrelenting high alert for the past 150 years. The ever present imminency of Armageddon, usually to strike within this decade, holds Witnesses in a state of stressful anticipation and fear. When a new understanding of the generation is promoted it invariably leads to greater activity in the preaching work, more pioneering and more baptisms.

The chart below presents the numerous changes over the years.

Also see here,

Generation Teaching from 1997

“Since the Master said, “When ye shall see all these things,” and since “the sign of the Son of Man in heaven,” and the budding fig tree, and the gathering of “the elect” are counted among the signs, it would not be inconsistent to reckon the “generation” from 1878 to 1914– 36 1/2 years — about the average of human life today.” (The Day of Vengeance 1897 ed. p.604)

 Generation Teaching from 1927

“The irresistible conclusion therefore is that Jesus referred to the new creation [the anointed] when he said: “This generation shall not pass until all these things be fulfilled.” This then would be a strong indication that some members of the new creation will be on the earth at the time of Armageddon.” (Watchtower 1927 Feb 15^th p.62)

Generation Teaching from 1952

“There are hundreds of millions of persons living now that were living in 1914, and many millions of these persons could yet live a score or more years. Just when the lives of the majority of them will be cut short by Armageddon we cannot say.” (Watchtower 1952 Sep 1^st pp.542-543)

Generation Teaching from 1968

“Jesus was obviously speaking about those who were old enough to witness with understanding what took place when the ‘last days’ began. … Even if we presume that youngsters 15 years of age would be perceptive enough to realize the import of what happened in 1914, it would still make the youngest of ‘this generation’ nearly 70 years old today.” (Awake! 1968 Oct 8^th p.13)

Generation Teaching from 1980

“As indicated by an article on page 56 of U.S. News & World Report of January 14, 1980, “If you assume that 10 is the age at which an event creates a lasting impression on a person’s memory,” then there are today more than 13 million Americans who have a “recollection of World War I.” And if the wicked system of this world survived until the turn of the century, which is highly improbable in view of world trends and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, there would still be survivors of the World War I generation. However, the fact that their number is dwindling is one more indication that “the conclusion of the system of things” is moving fast toward its end.” (Watchtower 1980 Oct 15^th p.31)

Generation Teaching from 1984

“If Jesus used “generation” in that sense and we apply it to 1914, then the babies of that generation are now 70 years old or older. And others alive in 1914 are in their 80’s or 90’s, a few even having reached a hundred. There are still many millions of that generation alive.” (Watchtower 1984 May 15^th p.5)

Generation Teaching from 1995

“Rather than provide a rule for measuring time, the term “generation” as used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics….Therefore, in the final fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy today, “this generation” apparently refers to the peoples of earth who see the sign of Christ’s presence but fail to mend their ways.” (Watchtower 1995 Nov 1^st p.20)

Generation Teaching from 2008

“As a class, these anointed ones make up the modern-day “generation” of contemporaries that will not pass away “until all these things occur.” This suggests that some who are Christ’s anointed brothers will still be alive on earth when the foretold great tribulation begins.” … The time period during which “this generation” lives seems to correspond to the period covered by the first vision in the book of Revelation. (Rev. 1:10–3:22) This feature of the Lord’s day extends from 1914 until the last of the faithful anointed ones dies and is resurrected.” ​(Watchtower 2008 Feb 15^th pp.23-24)

Generation Teaching from 2010

“He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation.” (Watchtower 2010 April 15^th p.10)

Q4. Is the change from 2010 of the overlapping generation logical?

Answer: It is neither logical nor scriptural. See additional info here

Only one verse from the Old Testament, Exodus 1:6, is used to support this ambiguous interpretation: “Joseph eventually died, and also all his brothers and all that generation.”

Joseph’s brothers were all born within 40 years of each other but this verse does not include his sons (Gen 50:23; cf Job 42:16) who lived in his lifespan but were not of his generation.

In fact, Watchtower has previously used Joseph’s time in Egypt to show that generations that overlap are different generations. Watchtower 2004 March 15^th p.26 says that “the Israelites thereafter spent an equal period of 215 years in Egypt”, a timeframe Watchtower 2004 January 15^th p.5 described as “a period of four overlapping generations from the time they entered Egypt ….”

If I refer to “my generation,” I mean the time period of my peers and I, not people born decades after I was born. Grandchildren are not the same generation as their grandparents, hence the term “generation gap” referring to the difference between children and their parents and grandparents.

In the diagram below, three people’s lives overlap, totalling 270 years, but they are not of the same generation. Would you call George and Mary contemporaries?  

After every single person born prior to 1914 has died, that generation no longer exists, regardless that their lives overlapped with people still alive.

Q5. Does Watchtower accept full responsibility and apologise for these life-changing changes in dates?

Answer: No, rather the organisation blames the followers for misconstruing or reading too much into statements in the publications.  

1914

“There is no doubt that many throughout this period were overzealous in their statements as to what could be expected. Some read into the Watch Tower statements that were never intended.” (Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose p.52)

What had Watchtower in fact stated?

“In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God, will be accomplished by the end of A.D. 1914.” (The Time is at Hand [1889] p.99)

1925

“It was stated in the ‘Millions’ book that we might reasonably expect them to return shortly after 1925, but this was merely an expressed opinion; besides it is still shortly after 1925. … Some anticipated that the work would end in 1925, but the Lord did not state so. The difficulty was that the friends inflated their imaginations beyond reason; and that when their imaginations burst asunder, they were inclined to throw away everything.” (Watch Tower 1926 pp.196,232)

What had Watchtower in fact stated?

“The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly marked in Scriptures, even more clearly than that of 1914″ (Watchtower 1924 Jul 15^th p.211)

1975

“If anyone has been disappointed through not following this line of thought, he should now concentrate on adjusting his viewpoint, seeing that it was not the word of God that failed or deceived him and brought disappointment, but that his own understanding was based on wrong premises.” (Watchtower 1976 Jul 15^th p.441)

What had Watchtower in fact stated?

“Just think, brothers, there are only about ninety months left before 6,000 years of man’s existence on earth is completed. Do you remember what we learned at the assemblies last summer? The majority of people living today will probably be alive when Armageddon breaks out, and there are no resurrection hopes for those that are destroyed then.” (Kingdom Ministry 1968 Mar p.4)

The Governing body demand absolute allegiance to their interpretation as spirit directed truth, then allowing an escape route by claiming they are not inspired.

“The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction.” (Watchtower 2017 Feb p.26)

Summary

• It is deliberate disobedience to Christ’s words at Acts 1:7 to suggest prophetic times or seasons. Here is the Amplified Classic Edition: “He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.”
• The problem is that these predictions were more than just “expectations”. People sold their belongings and gave them to the “Society”. There have been numerous predictions about the end by JW’s, including 1914, 1915, 1918, 1925, 1941 and 1975. The reality is that Christians don’t need a date to prompt them to alter their lives – love of Christ will motivate them.
• Much research, prayer and courage is needed to withstand the pressure to conform to programmed mind control. Listen to Jesus, “He said, “Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One,’ or, ‘The end is near.’ Don’t fall for any of that.” (Luke 21:8, Message Bible)

Endnotes

[1] Studies in the Scriptures Series III – Thy Kingdom Come p.121

[2] Watchtower 2013 Jan 1^st pp.4-8

[3] Watchtower 2010 April 15^th p.10

[4] C H Spurgeon was a contemporary of C T Russell but faithfully followed Jesus’ counsel at Acts 1:6-8

https://ccel.org/ccel/spurgeon/sermons39.xlii.html

[5] In Russell’s chronology the most important dates were 1874 and 1914.

In 1876, Russell became interested in time prophecy, after reading a copy of Barbour’s publication Herald of the Morning. Barbour explained that Matthew 24:27 meant Jesus’ invisible presence commenced in 1874, the rapture would be 1878, and the end of the world was to occur in 1914. (Watchtower, 1906 July 15^th)

“Evidence of the Lord’s presence commencing in 1874 included – adding machines, aeroplanes, aluminium, antiseptic surgery, artificial dyes, automatic couplers, automobiles, barbed wire, bicycles, carborundum, cash registers, celluloid, correspondence schools, cream separators, fireless cookers, shoe-sewing machines, the telegraph, the telephone, Panama Canal, Pasteurization, and vacuum cleaners.” These physical facts cannot be disputed and are sufficient to convince any reasonable mind that we have been in “the time of the end” since 1799.” (The Harp of God p.234-5)

By 1880 all the signs of the end were said to have started, great earthquakes, war, pestilence, bad behaviour of people and so forth. Ironically, the exact opposite is now stated, that the time before 1914 was a period of peace! Prominent world leaders were quoted saying that just before 1914 conditions promising world peace were never more favourable. Yet “the terrible troubles the Bible foretold began right on time, in 1914!” (You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth p.5)

As late as 1930, the Watchtower was still referring to 1874 as the start of Jesus presence. “… from the beginning of the Lord’s presence in 1874 the Devil used the Papal system as the chief opposing instrument of God’s kingdom …” (Watchtower 1930 Sep 15^th p.275)

“The Scriptural proof is that the second presence of the Lord Jesus Christ began in 1874 A.D” (Prophecy 1929 p.65). 1874 was not removed entirely from Watchtower doctrine until 1943.

[6] On the basis that 1878 was 3 ½ years after 1874, a period paralleling Jesus’ 3 ½ year earthly ministry it was claimed that 1878 was the year Jesus would take rulership in heaven, the start of the heavenly resurrection, and the rapture.

“1874 as the time of our Lord’s second presence as Bridegroom and Reaper, and to April 1878 as the time when he began to exercise his office of King of kings and Lord of lords” (Thy Kingdom Come p.150)

“1878 … They also thought they would be given their heavenly reward at that time.” (Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom p.632)

[7] 1881 the sealing of the 144,000 was to be complete. This was to be at the end of 7 harvest years after the jubilee cycles had ended in 1874. In January 1881 the Watchtower stated that “the translation or change from the natural to the spiritual condition, [is] due this side or by the fall of our year 1881.”

[8] “The four years from 1910 to the end of 1914, indicated thus in the Great Pyramid, will doubtless be a time of “fiery trial” upon the Church (1 Cor. 3:15) preceding the anarchy of the world, which cannot last long.” (Thy Kingdom Come p.364)

[9] Watchtower falsely predicted 1914 to be the “end” of the system of things, the conclusion of Armageddon and the start of the earthly paradise.

 “The date of the close of that “battle” is definitely marked in Scripture as October 1914. It is already in progress, its beginning dating from October, 1874.” (Zion’s Watch Tower 1892 Jan 15^th p.23)

“But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble. (Zion’s Watch Tower 1894 Jul 15^th p.226)

“The Day of Vengeance … will end in October, 1914″ (The Day of Vengeance p.547)

“In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God, will be accomplished by the end of A.D. 1914.” (The Time is at Hand [1889] p.99)

https://jwfacts.com/watchtower/failed-1914-predictions.php

Jesus earthly rulership was expected to follow in 1914. In the 1920’s, after 1914 had failed to deliver upon its expectations, Watchtower shifted the start of Jesus invisible heavenly rulership from 1878 to 1914.