It seems increasingly that the publications depend on the rank-and-file to not read the Bible context for any new interpretation. The second “Question from Readers” (page 30) in the current study edition of The Watchtower is but one example. Analyzing the account in the 11th chapter of Revelation, it comes up with the following new understanding:
The two witnesses represent the anointed brothers taking the lead who from 1914 to 1916 were Russell and his associates [not the faithful slave] and then from 1916 to 1919, Rutherford and his associates 1919 [the faithful slave].
The 42 months/3 ½ years represent the time from the autumn of 1914 to the incarceration of Governing Body.
The 42 months is the time during which the anointed brothers taking the lead (i.e., the Governing Body preached) in sackcloth.
The death of two witnesses represents the incarceration of Governing Body.
The 3½ days represent the period of their incarceration.
The period from 1914 to 1919 represents the temple cleansing. (The “two witnesses” prophesy says nothing about a temple cleansing.)
That about sums it up. It seems simple; perhaps even logical under a cursory examination. However, if the reader uses discernment, if the reader reads the whole account, another view emerges.
That there is a lot left out of this “new truth” is evident from the fact that the article comprises a mere 500 words. Revelation chapter 11 contains over 600 words. Let’s have a look at what’s left out and see if that affects anything relating to this interpretation.
Verse 2 says that the holy city, Jerusalem, is trampled on by the nations for 42 months. Since we teach that the appointed times of the nations are marked by the trampling of Jerusalem and that they end in 1914, one wonders why the trampling continues for another three and a half years.
What does it mean that they preach in sackcloth? That implies a time of grief of mourning, but there is no evidence the Governing Body’s message during and after the war displayed any grief or mourning.
The article refers to Numbers 16:1-7, 28-35 and 1 Kings 17:1; 18:41-45 when referencing the two olive trees and two lampstands of Rev. 11:4. These perform signs like Moses and Elijah. But why does the article stay with the Hebrew Scriptures and not use a more recent reference—only 60 years before John wrote these words—that directly involves Moses and Elijah. Jesus appeared with them in a vision linked to his return. Perhaps we ignore this reference for more obscure ones because it doesn’t tally with our need to support the 1914 doctrine since we now acknowledge that Jesus didn’t return in that year and has yet to return. (Mt:16:27-17:9)
Next we have Rev. 11:5,6:
“. . .If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths and consumes their enemies. If anyone should want to harm them, this is how he must be killed. 6 These have the authority to shut up the sky so that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have authority over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every sort of plague as often as they wish.” (Re 11:5, 6)
Amazing events! Such powerful words! What a picture they present. So we must ask ourselves, if this is what the Governing Body was capable of from 1914 to 1919, where’s the historical proof? Supposedly it was during these years that they were in captivity to Babylon the Great. Based on these verses, it doesn’t appear the two witnesses were in captivity to anyone, nor were they in any type of disapproved state from which they needed cleansing.
Rev. 11:7 says they were killed by the wild beast that ascends out of the abyss. Our publications teach that this wild beast is the United Nations, which came into existence after World War II, not World War I. Its predecessor was the League of Nations, but that didn’t come into existence until 1920; too late to have a part in this alleged fulfillment.
According to Rev. 11:9, 10, “the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations…rejoice…and celebrate and…send gifts to one another” because the Governing Body members are in jail. What evidence is there that anyone took note outside of those directly involved?
Verse 11 says they came back to life (following their release from prison supposedly) and “great fear fell upon those who saw them.” What evidence is there that the nations felt great fear at the release of Rutherford and his associates?
Verse 12 says they are called up to heaven. The anointed are called up to heaven just before Armageddon. Matthew 24:31 speaks of this. But there is no evidence that anyone was taken to heaven in 1919.
Verse 13 speaks of a great earthquake, a tenth of the city falling, and 7,000 being killed, while the rest are frightened and give glory to God. Again, what happened in 1919 to indicate such events transpired?
The Governing Body proclaims itself to be the faithful and discreet slave. But would a discreet slave not know when it doesn’t know something? Discretion is akin to wisdom which is why many translations render it “faithful and wise slave”. A wise man knows when something is beyond his grasp. Combining wisdom with humility, he will know enough to say, “I don’t know”. Additionally, a faithful slave is one who is faithful to his master. Therefore, he never misrepresents his master by pronouncing something as true and as coming from the master when in fact it is really self-serving human speculation.
Révélation 11 : 3 « JE » ferai que mes deux témoins prophétisent… Cette voix vient des cieux. (V 1) Mais que prophétisaient Russell et ses collaborateurs en 1914 ? Que les deux témoins étaient l’Ancien et le Nouveau Testament. Que les 1260 jours étaient 1260 années allant de 539 à 1799. Voir Études des Écritures vol 4 p 288 Ensuite, Rutherford et ses associés ont continué de prêcher avec les 6 volumes des Études des Écritures et le mystère accompli. Ces « deux témoins » avaient annoncé que 1914 marquerait la fin des temps des gentils, et l’établissement du Royaume de Dieu, avec… Read more »
“we now acknowledge that Jesus didn’t return in that year [1914] and has yet to return”
I must’ve missed this along the way. I wasn’t aware they changed their view/opinion/thinking/updated-truth on this. When was this “new light” revealed???
We have been so well-trained to disengage our critical thinking ability that we are now very adept at holding two competing ideas in our brain at the same time. This we do regularly, and it goes completely unnoticed. A good example of this can be found in yesterday’s Watchtower in paragraph 8: “Friendship with Jehovah is a vital source of moral protection. As we learn about God’s endearing qualities and we endeavor to ‘become imitators of God, as beloved children, and go on walking in love,’ we will be fortified to reject ‘sexual immorality and every sort of uncleanness.'” We… Read more »
I totally agree that a truly wise man (or woman) has enough sense to know that they do NOT know EVERYTHING, and is humble enough to admit it and seek knowledge from those who DO know and are willing to share their knowledge. Unlike today’s leadership who gives the distinct impression that they not only know everything, but that they are the ONLY ONES who are the direct channel for divine revelation, and that they alone have the answers. Sort of flies in the face of the Scripture where Jesus says, ” I am the way, and the truth and… Read more »
🙂 well, the GB does keep dialing a higher number, but I doubt they will ace the class :/
“That there is a lot left out of this “new truth” is evident from the fact that the article comprises a mere 500 words.” (meleti) Well, remember, they said they were taking a more simplistic approach to prophesy in scriptures. Can’t overdue, you know. “Above all, I felt satisfied that I had defended the name of Jehovah and had been able to explain clearly the reasons for my Scriptural stand.” w05/ 3/15 pp. 15-20 I am wondering if the new teachings are clear enough to allow brothers and sisters to clearly explain them to others. Finally. “A wise man knows… Read more »
Are you sure that’s not from the BTEV (Bill and Ted’s Excellent Version)?
“Rev. 11:7 says they were killed by the wild beast that ascends out of the abyss. Our publications teach that this wild beast is the United Nations, which came into existence after World War II, not World War I. Its predecessor was the League of Nations, but that didn’t come into existence until 1920; too late to have a part in this alleged fulfillment.”
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This is not correct. The beast of Rev 11:7 is not United Nations.
United Nations is the image of the beast.
“. . .The wild beast that you saw was, but is not, and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss, and it is to go off into destruction.. . .” (Re 17:8)
This wild beast according to JW theology is the league of nations and then when it ascends out of the abyss, it is the UN. Since the beast of Rev. 11:7 also ascends out of the abyss, it must be the UN. However, since that doesn’t fit with actual events, the publications play around with the meaning of abyss to try to make it work.
I understand, but in all publications JW I look for in reference to Rev 11:7, no mention of this beast as the UNO, but as the political system of Satan.
Maybe I hace not se en very well.
You are correct. They don’t claim that the wild beast of Rev. 11:7 is the UN for obvious reasons. There was no UN nor League of Nations in 1919. However, they do claim the beast that comes out of the abyss in Rev. 17:8 is the UN. The only other beast that comes out of the abyss is the one mentioned at Rev. 11:7. There is no reason to believe this is a different wild beast and a different abyss, other than to make Rev. 11:7 fit with the preconceived conclusion that the two witness prophecy occurred during 1914-1919. Why… Read more »
I’m shocked that I actually believed this….
Seriously… what in the world?
Sigh smh …..
I think I have mentioned it before, but I found this article on the 2 witnesses http://www.bibleinsight.com/1260p1.html
very interesting, well thought out, well written and plausible
So, Babylon the Great fell when Rutherford and his cronies were released from prison? Stop anyone on the street and ask them if they’ve ever heard of this and watch their reaction. The Titanic sank in 1912 and most people know about that. The fall of Babylon the Great is to be an earth-shaking event according to the Revelation account.This is made up nonsense on the part of the Writing Commitee. Shame on them!
The simple fact that not one argument is given why 42 months or 1260 days equals 3.5 literal years and 3.5 days are suddenly symbolic and represent an unspecified period between 1918 and 1919, (according to the graph in the QfR article), is striking, Also, current calendar makes 3.5 years equal to some 1277 days, not 1260 days. I have always wondered why chapter 11 in verse 2 says 42 months and verse 3 mentions 1260 days. If the intention was that 42 months is equal to 1260 days, one would expect the same terminology to be used. Could it… Read more »
Menrov, you clearly have not taken Watchtower Mathematics 101 🙂
e.g 1+1 = 11 carry the 1 add 4 subtract 1000 add a number between 2 & 2, divide by 7, multiply by 42 and it will equal whatever they say it equals, except on Wednesdays when it will equal something else.
And they reserve the right to change the answer at any point in the future
🙂 too complicated for a simple guy like me…..
Oh, another fairy tale from Wt. When I was little kid I believed everything that I was told, because that’s what children do, but now I think it’s sad to see adult persons believing in fairy tales never able to figure out difference between tale and reality.
As regards to what you wrote:
A wise man knows when something is beyond his grasp. Combining wisdom with humility, he will know enough to say, “I don’t know”.
It brought back to my mind Eccl; 7:16 which says in part ” Do not…show yourself excessively wise. Why should you cause desolation to yourself”
What a good scripture that is in light of the Governing Body’s declaration of their own discretion, and that God has been making them even more discreet.
I agree with Dorcas Meleti so I won’t go into the same comment except to say…….Still here and reading and very glad to have this information as it keeps a much needed perspective on how we must view the bible and not men.
Thanks
A wise man knows when something is beyond his grasp. Combining wisdom with humility, he will know enough to say, “I don’t know”. I especially appreciated this remark, Meleti. My dad and I used to discuss the organization and how they would never admit that they didn’t know something. Better to fabricate something than say you don’t know. “Never admit you don’t know and never apologize.” This should be the name of our website and the signs pasted on our Kingdom Halls instead of jw.org. Sorry. I think I got up on the wrong side of the bed today. Thanks… Read more »
Good to hear from you, Dorcas. So glad you’re still around.
Meleti
Haha Meleti you struck gold on this one. I had a discussion w a brother about that the other day… The events in Rev are so dramatic and intense, that to tie them to a simple prison time are just ridiculous. And you are right, so much is left out from the account, you would think they would have to at least try to explain all the rest of the illustration.
Meleti, I cannot find this QfR in the WT Study edition November nor December. Which one is it? Thanks
Sorry Menrov, I should have stated that there are two Questions from Readers in this issue. (First time I’ve ever seen that, actually.) The second one, on page 30, is about the “two witnesses”.
Thanks, found it. I find it peculiar that the 42 month or 1260 days are taken literally but the 3,5 days (verses 9 and 11) become years suddenly. The whole explanation in QfR is like you call it, a self fulfilling or self serving explanation. Other than the WBTS, not one organisation, scholar or bible investigator ever made a link with Rev. 11 and the WBTS. Most bible commentaries show a modest attitude when discussing this topic, indicating a number of views / possible explanation but conclude that it is not possible to come to a definite conclusion. Unless of… Read more »
aaaahhhh…..Matt 24:15…second half has been my favorite scripture since awakening and I like how the New Living Translation puts it…. (Reader, pay attention!). 🙂