ONE "GENERATION" THAT "OVERLAPS" -- A MAJOR DECEPTION EXPOSED!
Article written June 22, 2010
Article updated October 20, 2014
As you may recall, there is one key scripture the Watchtower Society and all Jehovah's Witnesses have used for many years to gauge the time the "good news" of the kingdom would be preached up till the time of Armageddon, and that is namely Matthew 24:34. Commencing from the date Jesus was supposedly enthroned in heaven in 1914, up till the end of this system of things, all things would occur within one "generation," according to the Watchtower Society. I'm sure you may remember that fact. There are many quotes from the publications that prove this, but here is a most notable one, with the classic use of Matthew 24:34 where it states:
- "Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." -- New World Translation
Indeed, Jehovah's Witnesses in their publications have long explained this verse to mean, all things including the destruction of this system of things, would all occur within "one generation," just as the verse clearly says. Take for example this quote, taken from the article 1914 -- The Generation That Will Not Pass Away which says:
- "From a purely human viewpoint, it could appear that these developments could hardly take place before the generation of 1914 disappears from the scene. But fulfillment of all the foretold events affecting the generation of 1914 does not depend on comparatively slow human action. Jehovah's prophetic word through Jesus Christ is: 'This generation [of 1914] will by no means pass away until all things occur.' (Luke 21:32) And Jehovah, who is the source of inspired and unfailing prophecy, will bring about the fulfillment of his Son's words in a relatively short time.--Isaiah 46:9,10; 55:10,11." --May 15, 1984 Watchtower magazine pages 6-7.
(See blog with graphics with indepth coverage of this quote at this link: http://www.thereportbook.com/notpass.htm )
However, you may be aware, there has been some adjustments in that thinking for all Jehovah's Witnesses, of late. For example, in the February 15th, 2008 issue, as well as the April 15th, 2010 Watchtower magazine, we notice there is a mention of such a thing an "overlapping" generation or "generations" [plural] where now, multiple "generations" can now "overlap" each other, and still fulfill Jesus' words of a single "generation" that would live to see all things happen. It seems there is a curious use of a verse shown in Exodus 1:6 to attempt to accomplish this.
Yes it seems now, the Watchtower Society, using the April 15th, 2010 issue of the Watchtower magazine, wants to use this verse, to make a very special meaning in their use of the word "generation." This magazine states about the use of the word "generation" in Exodus 1:6 the following:
- "... It [the word "generation"] usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6)"
Did you notice that quote?
Why yes, in this particular magazine, the Watchtower Society actually says, using Exodus 1:6, that the word "generation" can mean multiple generations, as they can "overlap" themselves.
Did you know this? Were you aware of this new meaning of the word, "generation" now taught by all Jehovah's Witnesses in their door-to-door ministry?
And now, what's really amazing with this above quote, is what the Watchtower Society stated just a few years ago, within their own publications, about this word, yes, "generation" and how it is to be understood in Exodus 1:6, the exact same scripture. The publication Insight On The Scriptures, Volume 1 page 917 states clearly about the meaning of this word, "generation" the following:
- A generation commonly refers to all persons who were born about the same time. (Ex. 1:6; Mt 11:16) Associated with this is the meaning “contemporaries.” At Genesis 6:9 it is stated concerning Noah: “He proved himself faultless among his contemporaries [literally, generations].” When used with reference to family relationships, a generation can refer to a group of descendants, as sons and daughters or grandsons and granddaughters.—Job 42:16.
See link to article in Insight Into The Scriptures: http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001648
Did you notice how the Watchtower Society defined the word "generation" in the above paragraph, taken from the Insight On The Scriptures, Volume 1?
Yes, they said clearly,
- "... A generation commonly refers to all persons who were born about the same time." (Ex. 1:6)"
And they cited as their "prooftext" for making that point, Exodus 1:6. Can you believe it?
The Watchtower Society has taken the exact same scripture, and said they mean totally different things. Did you notice this? Yes, they are plainly contradicting themselves, all using the exact same verse, Exodus 1:6 and explaining this verse to mean two opposite things.
Can you believe millions of Jehovah's Witnesses did not catch this???
This is an amazing turn of events!
But what's even more amazing, is how they are continuing to do this, within their publications, without a whimper of complaint from the world wide brotherhood of Jehovah's Witnesses. Again, amazing!
For example, let's take this comment from the 2008 Watchtower magazine, February 15th, Box on page 25 which says:
- (w08 2/15 p. 25 – Box; Christ’s Presence—What Does It Mean to You?)
The word “generation” usually refers to people of various ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period or event. For example, Exodus 1:6 tells us: “Eventually Joseph died, and also all his brothers and all that generation.” Joseph and his brothers varied in age, but they shared a common experience during the same time period. Included in “that generation” were some of Joseph’s brothers who were born before him. Some of these outlived Joseph. (Gen. 50:24) Others of “that generation,” such as Benjamin, were born after Joseph was born and may have lived on after he died.
So when the term “generation” is used with reference to people living at a particular time, the exact length of that time cannot be stated except that it does have an end and would not be excessively long. Therefore, by using the term “this generation,” as recorded at Matthew 24:34, Jesus did not give his disciples a formula to enable them to determine when “the last days” would end. Rather, Jesus went on to emphasize that they would not know “that day and hour.”—2 Tim. 3:1; Matt. 24:36.
Link to February 15th, 2008 Watchtower online article: http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008125
Also, let's look again in the year of 2010 some two (2) years later, at this extensive quote from the April 15th, 2010 Watchtower magazine on this topic.
The article in question is entitled: Holy Spirit's Role In The Outworking of Jehovah's Purposes, paragraphs 13 & 14:
- 13 Third, holy spirit is at work in bringing Bible truths to light. (Prov. 4:18) This magazine has long been used by “the faithful and discreet slave” as the primary channel for dispensing increased light. (Matt. 24:45) For example, consider our understanding of those who make up “this generation” mentioned by Jesus. (Read Matthew 24:32-34.) To what generation did Jesus refer? The article “Christ’s Presence—What Does It Mean to You?” explained that Jesus was referring, not to the wicked, but to his disciples, who were soon to be anointed with holy spirit.* Jesus’ anointed followers, both in the first century and in our day, would be the ones who would not only see the sign but also discern its meaning—that Jesus “is near at the doors.”
14 What does this explanation mean to us? Although we cannot measure the exact length of “this generation,” we do well to keep in mind several things about the word “generation”: It usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6) How, then, are we to understand Jesus’ words about “this generation”? 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. That generation had a beginning, and it surely will have an end. The fulfillment of the various features of the sign clearly indicate that the tribulation must be near. By maintaining your sense of urgency and keeping on the watch, you show that you are keeping up with advancing light and following the leadings of holy spirit.—Mark 13:37.
Link to April 15th, 2010 Watchtower online article found here: http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2010282
Again, this unusual idea about the true meaning of the word "generation" is shown again in the June 15th, 2010 issue of the Watchtower magazine in the article entitled United In Love -- Annual Meeting Report, pages 4-5 where it was stated:
- "Brother Barr made clear that the gathering would not continue indefinitely. He referred to Matthew 24:34, which says: “This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.” He twice read the comment: “Jesus evidently meant that the lives of the anointed ones who were on hand when the sign began to be evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation.” We do not know the exact length of “this generation,” but it includes these two groups whose lives overlap. Even though the anointed vary in age, those in the two groups constituting the generation are contemporaries during part of the last days. How comforting it is to know that the younger anointed contemporaries of those older anointed ones who discerned the sign when it became evident beginning in 1914 will not die off before the great tribulation starts!"
See link to June 15th, 2010 Watchtower online article: http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2010446
And more recently the idea is repeated, in the January 15th, 2014 Watchtower issue entitled: "Let Your Kingdom Come -- But When?" paragraphs 15 and 16 where it states, concerning how Matthew 24:34 is to be understood:
- 15 In his detailed prophecy about the conclusion of this system of things, Jesus said: “This generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.” (Read Matthew 24:33-35.) We understand that in mentioning “this generation,” Jesus was referring to two groups of anointed Christians. The first group was on hand in 1914, and they readily discerned the sign of Christ’s presence in that year. Those who made up this group were not merely alive in 1914, but they were spirit-anointed as sons of God in or before that year.—Rom. 8:14-17.
16 The second group included in “this generation” are anointed contemporaries of the first group. They were not simply alive during the lifetime of those in the first group, but they were anointed with holy spirit during the time that those of the first group were still on earth. Thus, not every anointed person today is included in “this generation” of whom Jesus spoke. Today, those in this second group are themselves advancing in years. Yet, Jesus’ words at Matthew 24:34 give us confidence that at least some of “this generation will by no means pass away” before seeing the start of the great tribulation. This should add to our conviction that little time remains before the King of God’s Kingdom acts to destroy the wicked and usher in a righteous new world.—2 Pet. 3:13.
See link to January 15th, 2014 Watchtower online article: http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2014047
Therefore, without a doubt after reading the above comments, we would have to say this gives us absolute proof of the blatant, complete lunacy and outright dishonesty on the part of the Watchtower Society and its Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses in their teaching and understanding of the words of Jesus where he said at Matthew 24:34:
- "Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." -- New World Translation
Is it any wonder, both apostles, Peter and Paul, warned all to be on the guard against wicked "false stories" infiltrating the first century anointed congregation, which was back then "the pillar and support of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15) Some of these "false stories" are even, "artfully contrived" in their wickedness. Thus these wicked, leavenous "false stories" if tolerated, can do much damage to the congregation itself, and was thus for that reason, never, ever permitted within the first century congregation by the faithful apostles of old, to gain a foothold. -- See 2 Peter 1:16; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4.
Think about it!
Donald C. Burney
For a more detail discussion concerning certain changes the Watchtower Society made in November 1995 about their understanding of what Matthew 24:34 really means and how we are to understand exactly what the word "generation" means, please see the following link:
https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/generation.php
Also, please see news article written in the LA Times on this amazing change in doctrine: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm ... story.html
