Comments on: The '1975'-prophecy and its impact among Dutch Jehovah's Witnesses

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:15:17 +0000

I was a young JW in 1966 when the seeds of 1975 were planted in the minds of people. I recall that in 1968 our kingdom hall had a wall calender showing all the months leading up to September 1975 when the New System would begin. Each month would be crossed off as we drew closer to Armageddon.

I was baptised during the fall of 1974 after an elder kept coming to my house with threats that I would die during 1975 if I were not baptised and an active publisher. I can recall how our congregation swelled during the months before Armageddon and how disillusioned many were when it didn’t happen.

I didn’t leave until the mid-1980’s as my family and everyone I grew up with were JW’s. Most of them still are. As the research paper states, the ties at the local level are very strong.

The failed prophecy was not a big deal to me. My grandparents and several close friends would have died. In a way, I was relieved. What I find sad is that we were told not to go to college or start careers. We were told to pioneer until the end came. Even better, work for free at Bethel . . . at least until you are 35 and have to leave.

Many of the JW’s I grew up with are now struggling financially, going to college, starting careers . . . in their fifties! I’m planning for retirement and they are trying to keep their head above water. I’m glad I got out when I did, but I am still sad that some very good people have spent decades with their lives on hold while bracing for Armageddon.

The 1914 generation will by no means pass away until the new system arrives? I don’t think so. I have a prediction of my own . . . the 1975 generation will pass away and the world will still be here.

By: walter c

walter c — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 01:50:04 +0000

my heart goes out to jws .pray for them !!!! yes we must speak the truth….but lets do it in love …maybe we can win some to jesus…

By: James NON-JW

James NON-JW — Mon, 16 Jan 2006 12:57:46 +0000

Oh, you still here Kenny. I had some questions for in another topic, however like all JW’s you didn’t answer. Come now there big talker, perhaps you could explain the BS of the WTS?

By: fri

fri — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 12:18:51 +0000

To Kenny::::::
Remember Deut. 18:22, “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.” If someone makes a false prophecy, and they have claimed to be a prophet of God, then they are false prophets and are not to be listened to.
Do the Witnesses claim to be the prophet of God? Yes, they do.
In 1972 the Jehovah’s Witness Watchtower claimed to be the prophet of God.
A false prophet would say:
1899 “…the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty’ (Revelation 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced.” The Time Is at Hand, page 101 (1908 edition).

1916 “The Bible chronology herein presented shows that the six great 1000 year days beginning with Adam are ended, and that the great 7th Day, the 1000 years of Christ’s Reign, began in 1873.” The Time Is at Hand, page ii, (forward).

1918 “Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection.” Millions Now Living Will Never Die, page 89.

1922 “The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures than 1914.” The Watchtower 9/1/22, page 262.

1931 “There was a measure of disappointment on the part of Jehovah’s faithful ones on earth concerning the years 1917, 1918, and 1925, which disappointment lasted for a time…and they also learned to quit fixing dates.” Vindication, page 338.

1941 “Receiving the gift, the marching children clasped it to them, not a toy or plaything for idle pleasure, but the Lord’s provided instrument for most effective work in the remaining months before Armageddon.” The Watchtower, 9/15/41, page 288.

1968 “True, there have been those in times past who predicted an ‘end to the world’, even announcing a specific date. Yet nothing happened. The ‘end’ did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing?.. Missing from such people were God’s truths and evidence that he was using and guiding them.” Awake, 10/8/68.

By the way Kenny God spoke to me last night and she said you are nuts.

By: kenny

kenny — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 11:45:05 +0000

A false prophet is one who claims, “God spoke to me and said this …”
The JW’s have never claimed or said this. They have
admitted that what they print is not “inspired” of God
as the Bible definitely is. Do those making claims against
the JW’s bring this out? Not very often, right? It would defuse their assertions and claims.
Plenty of ministers and leaders of most all religions,
often claim or say in print or in their church services that
“God spoke to me and told me….”. It is said all the time.
Its so common place in religions.
So God is saying alot of strange and conflicting things
by all these “Christians.” Not.
JW’s have always been watchful about the Lord’s return.
Yet they have never said, “God told us to tell you that on this date this will happen.” This is the way prophets
in the Bible times said it. If you claimed God actually spoke to you as a prophet, you’d better be not lying.
Or the death penalty awaited you.
Trying to dechipher bible prophecy, and indicating
future dates in past times in this endeaver, was an
indication of intense watchfulness about the Lord’s
return and activities, by very early ones in the WT
Society. Not about claiming “God revealed these things to me and said….”
So asserting that past JW”s were “false prophets” in
predicting dates is false. Even in this article,(above), it is
admitted that 1975 was NEVER said by the WT Society anywhere
that the End would occur then. But of course others
“know” what was trying to be said, so they will tell you
“the real info” about things.
When these “knowledgable ones” arrive at your door,
then we can get this truth, right? Aint happening.
Its has and is being done, but by those who really
want others to Learn about the true God, Jehovah,
his kingdom rule, etc.
Bad ones did wrong things in the first century church.
But Jehovah used the faithful ones among the corrupt.
The true teachings will only be preached worldwide by
Jesus’ true disciples.
Ask JW’s questions. Get Bible answers.