Why is 1914 such an important date to the WTBTS? As
you read the eight (8) quotes at the bottom of this blog, you will see that the Governing Body has put their
collective heads together and staked their Prophetic Reputation on the statement that, "Some who saw the events of 1914 will also see the complete destruction of the present wicked world." Reasoning from the Scriptures (1989) p. 200.
The definitive work on this subject can be found here.
In the WT book, The Truth that leads to Eternal Life (1968) page 95, it states concerning 1914, "there are people still living who were alive in 1914 and saw what was happening then and WHO WERE OLD ENOUGH (in 1914) THAT THEY STILL REMEMBER THOSE EVENTS." As of 2017 "this 1914 generation" is at a minimum 103 years old. According to The Centurian, which is here, there are about 450,000 people in the world 100+ years of age.
A recent article in Psychology Today, which is here, states that adults have no memories early than age six, which means that the 1914 generation, "WHO WERE OLD ENOUGH (in 1914) THAT THEY STILL REMEMBER THOSE EVENTS," had to be at least six years old and are now 110+ years old. (It is estimated that there are between 150 and 600 people in the world 110+ years old. Go here for more information.)
No doubt the WTBTS will, in the near future, be doing the WT Shuffle (a technique employed by the WT which basically says "then we said it, now we don't.") As time goes on and the 1914 generation disappears from the earth, the WT Shuffle could take one of many different forms; (1) edit publications, example here; or (2) blame individual JW's, example here; or (3) fall back to one of their formerly used excuses for a False Prophecy, explained here; or maybe they will use the "old reliable" excuse, ie "New Light," explained here.
The definitive work on this subject can be found here.
In the WT book, The Truth that leads to Eternal Life (1968) page 95, it states concerning 1914, "there are people still living who were alive in 1914 and saw what was happening then and WHO WERE OLD ENOUGH (in 1914) THAT THEY STILL REMEMBER THOSE EVENTS." As of 2017 "this 1914 generation" is at a minimum 103 years old. According to The Centurian, which is here, there are about 450,000 people in the world 100+ years of age.
A recent article in Psychology Today, which is here, states that adults have no memories early than age six, which means that the 1914 generation, "WHO WERE OLD ENOUGH (in 1914) THAT THEY STILL REMEMBER THOSE EVENTS," had to be at least six years old and are now 110+ years old. (It is estimated that there are between 150 and 600 people in the world 110+ years old. Go here for more information.)
No doubt the WTBTS will, in the near future, be doing the WT Shuffle (a technique employed by the WT which basically says "then we said it, now we don't.") As time goes on and the 1914 generation disappears from the earth, the WT Shuffle could take one of many different forms; (1) edit publications, example here; or (2) blame individual JW's, example here; or (3) fall back to one of their formerly used excuses for a False Prophecy, explained here; or maybe they will use the "old reliable" excuse, ie "New Light," explained here.
RED is my emphasis.
"He (Jesus) shows the beginning of
this time and how the troubles increase, and mentions some of the sorrows to
fall on the world, during the time of trouble. The length of time is indicated
by him when he said, "Truly I say to you that this generation will by no
means pass away until all these things occur." (Matt. 24:34) The actual meaning of these words is,
beyond question, that which takes a "generation" in the ordinary
sense, as at Mark 8:12 and Acts 13:36, or for those who are living at the given
period. So it was
on this generation that the accumulated judgments were to fall. (Matt. 23:36)
This therefore means that from 1914 a generation shall not pass till all is
fulfilled, and amidst a great time of trouble." Watchtower, 1951
July 1 p. 404.
"The Bible does speak of a man's
days as being threescore and ten or fourscore years; but it assigns no specific
number of years to a generation.-Ps. 90:10. Some persons living in A.D. 1914 when the
series of foretold events began will also be living when the series ends with
Armageddon. All the
events will come within the span of a generation. 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 pp. 542-543.
"Some of the generation that
DISCERNED the beginning of the time of the end in 1914 will still be alive on
earth to witness the end of this present wicked system of things at the battle
of Armageddon." Rev.
16:14, 16. Watchtower, 1968 May 1 p. 272.
“At this writing, in the United States
alone there are more than 10,000,000 persons still living who were old enough
to observe "a beginning of pangs of distress" in 1914-1918. Some of
these may still survive quite a number of years. Yet Jesus assures us that,
before "this generation" passes away, he will come as ‘Son of
man’ to execute judgment on Satan's system of things. (Matthew 24:8, 21,
37-39)" Let Your Kingdom Come (1981) p. 140.
"The countdown that has proceeded
for some six millenniums now nears its zero hour. So close is it that people
who were alive in 1914, and who are now well along in years, will not all pass
off the scene before the thrilling events marking the vindication of Jehovah's
sovereignty come to pass." Survival into a New Earth (1984) p. 184.
"The early members of this group
are now in their 60's or 70's or older. Jehovah did not allow the
in-gathering of this group to begin too soon. The "great crowd,"
including many of the earliest members thereof, will survive into the new
earth." Survival into a New Earth (1984) p. 185.
"Prophetic information in the
Bible about our day details the following: ...The survival of at least some of
the generation that saw the beginning of "the conclusion of the system of
things." True Peace And Security (1986) p. 70.
“Likewise today, most of the generation
of 1914 has passed away. However, there are still millions on earth who were
born in that year or prior to it. And although their numbers are dwindling,
Jesus' words will come true, "this generation will certainly not pass away
until all these things have happened." This is yet another reason for
believing that Jehovah's thief-like day is imminent." Awake! 1988
Apr 8 p. 14.
The group, on the cover of the Watchtower of
May 15, 1984, to symbolize the "1914 Generation That Will Not Pass
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