Sean, Author at JW Changes

The Watchtower and What Is Truth?

February 29, 2016 By Sean

The organization brands itself as “the truth.” By and large to the untrained ear this seems to be a casual saying. However, in the mind of the Watchtowerite, it carries a far deeper meaning. If you are a Jehovah’s Witness encountering someone that attends a mainstream church, when you say, “the truth,” you are inadvertently engaging in what’s called “loaded language.” By saying you have the truth, that means that everyone else has a lie. When I asked a pair of Witnesses something out of the New World Translation, they couldn’t answer the question specifically so they simply said, “well we have the truth.” I let it go and they were out in their vehicle 10 minutes later still trying to figure out what the appropriate answer was. Regardless, truth as defined is the following:

I’m going to spend much time speaking in relation to leadership. Here’s a quote I saw: The leaders of organized religion oppose the truth; and they do so because they are under the influence of Satan.

Prophecy. 1929 p. 312

Is that the case here?

So let’s examine truth according to the Watchtower from the leadership:

To start, let’s go on back to the days of Pastor Russell. I’m going to read from the booklets Some Facts and More Facts About the Self-Styled “Pastor” Charles T. Russell by Reverend J.J. Ross, published in 1913.

On the first two pages, we have the following statement: He never attended the higher schools of learning, knows comparatively nothing of philosophy, systematic,or historical theology, and is totally ignorant of the dead languages, and yet he is successful in making his disciples believe that the most difficult passages in the Old Testament and the book of Revelation are as simple as a sunbeam to him.

This is a pretty strong statement early on. Looking a little further into it, perhaps a reason Russell was so adamant against higher education for teaching evolution is the fact that he never attended an institution himself. Looking at theology, Russell himself would appear to have “borrowed” things from other people. I’m going to focus on a statement being ignorant of “language.”

The following is from a court trial that was held in March of 1913: “Under the examination, he admitted that, at most, he had attended school only seven years of his life, that the public school, and that he had left school when he was about fourteen years of age, just at the opening of the adolescent period, when the directional element is so necessary in a boy's life. "Do you know the Greek"? Asked the Attorney. "Oh, yes," was Russell's reply. Here he was handed a copy of the New Testament in Greek, by Westcott & Hort, and asked to read the letters of the alphabet as they appear on the top of page 447. He did not know the alphabet. "Now," asked Mr. Staunton, "Are you familiar with the Greek language?" "No," said Mr. Russell, without a blush. When he saw that he was caught, then he admitted that he knew nothing about Latin, and Hebrew and neither had he ever taken a course in Philosophy, Systematic Theology and neither had he ever attended any of the higher schools of learning.”

Interestingly Westcott & Hort will show up later.

The next president is of course Judge Rutherford. He was sentenced to jail but did you get the entire story? If you’ve read your Proclaimer’s of God’s Kingdom book, you’d see the following on page 720:

They were imprisoned and sentenced to 20 years. However, they were released from prison. Why?

The clergy-inspired opposition came to a head on May 7, 1918, when U.S. federal warrants were issued for the arrest of J. F. Rutherford and several of his close associates. By mid-1918, Rutherford and seven associates found themselves in the federal penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia.

Proclaimer’s of God’s Kingdom. 1993 p. 70

1919 The Society’s officers and associates are released on bail, on March 26; on May 14 the court of appeals reverses the decision of the lower court, and a new trial is ordered; the next year, on May 5, the government withdraws from the case, declining to prosecute.

What is not said is there was language that violated the Espionage Act during World War I.

The blame for the present day Witness is laid at the feet of the clergy. I have a website that has information but doesn’t have a source. With that, here’s what it says:

THE FACTS: The Society’s attorneys were successful in showing cause that there were “errors” made in trial … based on many exceptions and objections made by the defense attorneys ... and allowed by the trial judge in an effort to protect their rights. In law, the term “Exonerated” is not found … at least I have never been able to find a legal definition of exoneration. Rather, when a person has been wrongfully convicted and later deemed innocent, they are given a “Pardon” … because legally, a “Pardon” is used in criminal law to both “forgive” the guilty and to release the innocent … a pardon assures that if there was any possible crime, it was forgiven too.

What then did the Government do? The Government issued what is called a WRIT OF ERROR. This merely means that the Government agrees and recognizes that “errors” were made in trial, and that it is not saying the defendants are innocent, but rather, that the defendants will have to be retried to correct the errors. The Government decided that since the war was over, it was not worth it to try the case again, though they could have.

Taken from: Free Minds

Here's more:

Rutherford Trial

Rutherford Trial-More

Since the administration of Knorr took the focus off of one person, I wanted to just look for a few minutes at the Kingdom Interlinear Translation. Remember how I mentioned earlier Westcott and Hort? Well they are back. In the forward it says the following: Presenting a literal word-for-word translation into English under the Greek text as set out in "The New Testament in the Original Greek. How literal is this? Here are just some of the things I’ve noticed that the Watchtower has done in it:

Underserved kindness is used in the Greek side. The term should be “grace.”

Jehovah is used 237 times even though the society admitted in the Aid To Bible Understanding, Jehovah wasn’t used until 1271.

There are other instances but one I wish to focus on is a work by Justus Lipsius. The work is De Crux Libre. Page 1156 of the KIT has this:

However what you will see when you look through the actual book is that this is not the case. https://archive.org/details/ivstilipsidecruce00lipsuoft is a link for the book. Pages 650 and 661 are the two pages that Justus explicitly quotes Pope Innocent III with the following words, “In the Lord's cross there were four pieces of wood, the upright beam, the crossbar, a tree trunk (piece of wood) placed below, and the title (inscription) placed above.

So again, we have an account where the Watchtower has been dishonest after being right in the early days since Russell and for part of Rutherford’s leadership, Jesus was on a cross.

The next two events deal with Franz who has developed important doctrinal revisions that are adhered to today in the Revelation Climax book. Viewed by some as a prominent theologian within the Watchtower, he was one who on the surface shunned higher education himself with the following on his background:

Frederick William Franz was born in Covington, Kentucky, U.S.A., on September 12, 1893. In 1899 the family moved to Cincinnati, where Frederick graduated from high school in 1911. He then entered the University of Cincinnati, taking a liberal arts course. He had decided that he would become a Presbyterian preacher, so he vigorously applied himself to the study of Bible Greek. At the university Frederick was chosen to receive a Rhodes scholarship, qualifying him for admission to Oxford University in England. However, before an announcement could be made, Frederick lost all interest in the scholarship and asked that his name be dropped from the list of contestants. The picture below says something contrary.

Proclaimer’s of God’s Kingdom. 1993 p. 111

The second deals with a legal proceeding. For this we will go to 1954. The Douglas Walsh Trial.

The important part is on November 24, 1954. Here’s what it says:

Q: Have you also made yourself familiar with Hebrew?

A: (Franz) Yes.

Q: So that you have a substantion linguistic apparatus at your command?

A: Yes, for use in my biblical work.

Q: I think you are able to read and follow the Bible in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French?

A: Yes.

—-LATER, DURING THE SAME CROSS-EXAMINATION:

Q: You, yourself, read and speak Hebrew, do you?

A: I do not speak Hebrew.

Q: You do not?

A: No.

Q: Can you, yourself, translate that into Hebrew?

A: Which:

Q: That fourth verse of the second chapter of Genesis?

A: You mean here?

Q: Yes.

A: No.

So again what we have here is a case here where within Witness circles, he is a genius, in court, he perjured himself.

Jackson lied to the Australian Commission

Most recently Geoffrey Jackson was examined by the Austrian Commission. The following is the title of the article: Royal Commission’s Angus Stewart accuses Watchtower Representative of Deliberate Deception.

JW Survey Royal Commission

Now that is the leadership. What about you? Do you truly tell people when you go from door to door that part of the reason is that your eternity as the Watchtower teaches it is dependent upon you doing this? When you say you’re going to talk about the “good news of the kingdom being established in 1914,” how much do you tell the householder they will have to do just to have a chance to live on a paradise earth? What you know as a Witness, how much is hidden from them?

Let’s take a look at what the bible says through one individual-Jesus Christ. For this, turn to John 14:6. It says, John said to him: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (NWT). The irony here is that “the truth” is not found in an organization but only within an individual. What is the biblical support for saying the organization is the truth vice an individual.

Contrasting that with Watchtower theocratic warfare. Truth can be hid. Here are some of the ways information is hidden from you (it can be obtained though searching the internet):

Body of Elders Letters
Shepherd the Flock of God
Possible child exposure to abusive individuals: Bill Bowen on Silent Lambs

A current trend is consistently refusing comment when legal issues are raised. Biblically speaking, there is only one account of this happening. Jesus did that in Mark 15:5, But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate began to marvel (NWT). and it raised amazement not more questions. However, we have the exact opposite with this organization. Since Jehovah’s spirit is guiding, should they be able to answer clearly and concisely on a regular basis?

Since I enjoy reading “old light,” why does the organization hide it’s truth from you. The organization goes against what it said in The Watchtower May 15, 1957 p. 315: There is much in the way of spiritual riches and aids toward mature knowledge in these earlier publications, and their study is most certainly worth your time.

It’s hard to get “spiritual riches” when you can’t see it yet Brooklyn Bethel has a copy of everything. For what it’s worth, groups like the Mormons and Seventh Day Adventists allow their members to see material from the very beginning (although there are instances where it’s been altered).

As long as you allow yourself to stay under the guidance of this organization, you have no chance of having “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” The time is now for you to leave this organization.

Watchtower and Deliverance

February 21, 2016 By Sean

I want to start off by expanding upon a prior topic that will dovetail into this one today. A few months ago, I wrote about the Christadelphians. I found this on I was able the following quote in its entirety. I’m going to post it and it fits in with today’s topic of the Watchtower and Deliverance.

Christadelphians believe the organized churches are apostate, do not believe in the "trinity", do not believe in the "inherent immortality of the soul" or in "eternal torment", but hold that eternal death is the punishment awaiting the wicked.

Through free from these basic errors, they are in bondage to religion, and there are isolated instances where Mr. Wilson’s religious leanings seem to influence his work to some extent.

Consolation. November 8, 1944 p. 26

The portion I’d like to connect with the Christadelphians and the Watchtower is “bondage to religion” by looking at the concept of deliverance. The Merriam-Webster dictionary uses terms such as liberation, rescue, set free. How does this connect to the Watchtower throughout its history?

Here we go and I’ll have very little in the way of thoughts like last week regarding Armageddon with a focus on “deliverance at hand”:

Let us, dearly beloved, live up to our covenant, and not only bury ourselves and our wills in Christ's, but also keep our bodies under--dying daily until fully delivered into the blessed kingdom--which deliverance we believe to be so very nigh at hand.

Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. September 1880 Reprints p. 134

Let us, dearly beloved, see to it, that we not only bury ourselves and our wills in Christ's, but also keep our bodies under--dying daily until fully delivered into the blessed kingdom --which deliverance we believe to be so very nigh at hand.

Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. December 1881 Reprints p. 302

How it comforts and cheers us now to hear the Lord's voice telling us of the deliverance that is just at hand, and sending by us his messages of love and power to all those who have and are to hear, and who are desirous of having liberty from the power of the world, the flesh and the Adversary.

Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. May 1, 1907 Reprints page 3990

Thank God for the great Deliverer; thank God also, for his great day of deliverance, the Millennial age, now nigh at hand!

Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. June 1, 1910 Reprints page 4627

In the clear light of unfolding time-prophecy, we see that we are now living at the very end of the reign of sin and death; that the night of sorrow, pain and tears is almost over; that the glorification of the last members of the Christ body is very soon to be completed. Yes, beloved, "the night is far spent" [about ended] and the glorious day of deliverance and blessing is at hand. Even now the first faint streaks of dawn appear.

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. August 1, 1918 Reprints page 6300

Behold, the evidence daily increases that the old world has ended! The kingdom of heaven is here! Let the saints look up and lift up their heads. Let them sing aloud for joy because the day of deliverance is at hand.

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. January 1, 1921 Page 13

To this end the Lord is now sending forth a worldwide proclamation that the time of DELIVERANCE is at hand.
The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. August 15, 1926 Page 248

God has now given his people an understanding of The Revelation which he gave to Jesus Christ to show unto his servants. The publication of the two books called Light, giving the explanation of The Revelation, will greatly anger the Devil and all who have not the spirit of Christ. We may therefore expect the opposition to the kingdom to quickly become stronger than ever. It will be of short duration, however, because the day of deliverance is at hand. The remnant is now giving honor to Jehovah’s name by faithfully serving him.

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. September 15, 1930 p. 281

Let Jehovah’s witnesses now be strong in faith and bold in the warfare, knowing for a certainty that the day of deliverance is at hand.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. July 1, 1936 p. 195, 196

Jehovah is the King of Eternity. He has enthroned Christ Jesus, his King of the Theocratic Government. Jehovah has appeared in his glory, and the day of deliverance is at hand for all those who flee to the Theocratic Government and give their allegiance and unselfish devotion to the Theocracy.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. December 1, 1939 p. 363

For some time many of God’s people have said, and say: "Oh that the salvation of Israel [spiritual Israel] were come out of Zion !" (Ps. 14: 7) Let all such who have hope and who look for salvation now rejoice because the day of deliverance is at hand. By faith we now see the climax of Armageddon and, like David, continue to say: "But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation."--Ps. 13:5.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 1940 p. 10

These see it is their privilege now to be his witnesses, and to declare his name and his glory in the earth. As his witnesses these faithful ones the great Jehovah God bids to go and tell the glad news to the sorrowing world, and to advise mankind that Jehovah is God, that Christ Jesus is the King of kings, and that the day of deliverance is at hand.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 1, 1941 p. 303

Deliverance and release have come! Jehovah’s witnesses can testify to that. So on with the song in a continual crescendo, that more and more people may hear the message which tells of the fuller and complete deliverance and release so near at hand for all men of good-will!

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 15, 1949 p. 307

Instead of sobbing about the present anguish of nations and praying for its abatement, true Christians see that these turbulent times, indeed such calamities as famines, earthquakes and wars, are fulfillment of Bible prophecy pertaining to the sign of the “last days,” hence they rejoice, as Jesus said they should. (Luke 21:28) They rejoice because they know deliverance to a new world is at hand, that this present evil world must end in that “great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again,” namely, the war of Armageddon. This is Jehovah’s decree.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 15, 1954 p. 624

In lighting up the fact that we are living in the “last days,” God’s Word shows the Christian how to view the distressing happenings in the world. War, crime, juvenile delinquency, food shortages, pestilences and similar woes make many persons despondent, but those walking in the light from God have the positive mental attitude that the Lord Jesus Christ said we should have: “As these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near.” (Luke 21:28) Despite the woes that have come upon our generation, those who walk in the light from God can be happy. Deliverance is at hand.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 1, 1959 p. 388

Please note that God’s judgment will adversely affect only “ungodly men.” It is only those who refuse to submit to God’s laws that will suffer destruction. On the other hand, for those who love righteousness and long for God’s kingdom to remove wickedness from the earth, the “last days” are indeed a time in which to rejoice. True Christians can rejoice because God’s kingdom is near and deliverance from this wicked system of things is at hand. (Luke 21:28-32) But to be among those blessed with survival when this entire system goes down in destruction, positive action is urgent.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1967 p. 168

True, those words were written long ago, but fulfillment of Bible prophecy gives us reason to believe that this generation will see Jehovah God rising up in burning zeal to devour all wickedness. (Matt. 24:3-34; Zeph. 3:8) Since this is so you have reason to do as Jesus said, ‘Raise yourself erect and lift your head up, because your deliverance is at hand.’—Luke 21:28.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 1, 1971 p. 262

Mankind desperately needs a Liberator from these ruinous demonic heavens. Jehovah God has raised up the needed Deliverer! Jehovah’s marked time for the desired deliverance is at hand!

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 15, 1972 p. 233

As the Israelites of old went free from captivity in ancient Babylon, so Bible prophecy reveals that a marvelous deliverance is at hand for humankind today. Read of this heartwarming prospect in the new 384-page, hardbound book, Man’s Salvation out of World Distress at Hand! Only 50 cents, postpaid.
Awake! November 22, 1975 p. 3

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES are declaring “everlasting good news,” and millions are responding to the message.—Rev. 14:6.Although people can see that world conditions are critical, they may not understand their significance. Jehovah’s Witnesses are proclaiming that these events are a sign of the time of the end for this system of things and that God’s day of deliverance is at hand. That is “good news”!

Yearbook. 1984. p. 3

While we eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us show zeal in telling others about God’s loving Kingdom promises. Deliverance is at hand! May we walk forward, ever forward, as enlightened children of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah!

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 1, 1993 p. 26

The morning program will continue with a talk that introduces a convention highlight, the full-costume drama based on chapter 13 of the Bible book of First Kings. The convention’s final session Sunday afternoon features the public talk “Deliverance by God’s Kingdom Is at Hand!”

Awake! June 6, 2006 p. 32

Those who attended these conventions experienced firsthand the unity that exists among Witnesses from different lands and cultures. This was very evident at the conclusion of the conventions. All were applauding, hugging new friends, and taking the last photos. (1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Peter 2:17) Happy and convinced that deliverance from all troubles and cares is at hand, the delegates returned to their homes and congregations with renewed determination to keep a very tight grip on God’s “word of life.”—Philippians 2:15, 16.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 1, 2007 p. 10

May you experience great joy in your ministry as you declare this good news and help those " rightly disposed for everlasting life " to realize that deliverance by God's Kingdom is at hand! - Acts 13:48

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 15, 2008 p. 15, 16

I’d like to now contrast that against the Bible I’m going to read Jude 1:3 (New World Translation) that says, “Beloved ones, though I was making every effort to write YOU about the salvation we hold in common, I found it necessary to write YOU to exhort You to put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones.”

Let’s look at this verse in light of Watchtower doctrine. The New World Translation is still currently used by the organization even though doctored, it still is useful. I’m going to ask you Watchtowerite some questions pertaining to this verse:

How is the salvation common between the great crowd and the 144,000? One group as the Watchtower teaches is destined for paradise earth while select few are going to heaven.

Why does the Jude talk about salvation being held (Jude was written between 60-80) yet you can’t be sure of your salvation since you have to make it through the Millennial Reign of Christ which is after Armageddon? For more info about the final test read The Watchtower May 15, 2015 p. 30

(During the final test at the end of the 1,000 years, those who rebel against Jehovah will manifest the same murderous attitude as ‘Gog of Magog,’ those nations that attack God’s people at the end of the great tribulation)

Was the faith spoken of in the Bible the same that the Watchtower teaches? If so why is there often “new light” as described in Proverbs 4:18 the society uses?

Given these considerations, I trust that you are giving serious consideration to putting down that man made material and reading the inerrant Word of God. The Consolation quote spoke of being in “bondage to religion.” It’s time you broke free.

When Is Armageddon?

February 15, 2016 By Sean

For those of you that are still in the Watchtower and looking to get out, when you do leave, there are times where you may just want to consider reading the Bible and not do much more than just mediate on the Words contained within scripture alone and by itself. Today, I am going to do something similar, with the focus as the title says, When Is Armageddon? As a Witness, this drum is mentioned continually in Watchtower Literature. This goes back to the days of Russell. I know it’s mentioned only in Revelation but it escaped me where it exactly was. I did a search for “where is armageddon mentioned in the bible” and I wasn’t surprised to see the organization listed as the first link. It is Revelation 16:16. Quickly looking at this verse it says, "And they gathered them together to the place that is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon." (New World Translation. 2013 edition)

This is a great contrast to what Dan (on the Hen's Pen Show) was saying earlier when he spoke of “the love of God.” One is driven by an exterior stimulus (death and destruction) one is driven by an interior stimulus (God dwelling within) II Timothy 1:14 as Ann Marie referenced and Wendy read. Which one has the greater effect? I’d contend that it’s the latter since God indwelling occurs once. Contrast that with how much the organization mentions Armageddon. Let’s break it down from the organization’s official website (only from present day back to 2000 which still bothers me since the Witnesses have the WT Library which contains more information):

Armageddon:

2013 NWT 6 times

1984 NWT: 3 times

Watchtowers:

2014: 11

2013: 20

2012: 58

2011: 18

2010: 6

2009: 11

2008: 45

2007: 11

2006: 13

2005: 54

2004: 9

2003: 4

2002: 3

2001: 13

2000: 21

Total: 306

Love of God:

2013 NWT: 13

1984 NWT: 9

Watchtower

2014: 6

2013: 5

2012: 2

2011: 9

2010: 3

2009: 10

2008: 8

2007: 2

2006: 15

2005: 18

2004: 8

2003: 7

2002: 7

2001: 10

2000: 13

Total: 145

Love of God-145 times

Armageddon-306 times

With that in mind, I tried to do a batch search on the old publications ranging from 1879-1949. For them go HERE and you will find a lot of "old light." My computer ran all afternoon and it wasn’t close to being done.

I want you to meditate on the timeframe as I read these quotes regarding this event:

The Battle of Armageddon, to which this war is leading, will be a great contest between right and wrong, and will signify the complete and everlasting overthrow of the wrong, and the permanent establishment of Messiah’s righteous kingdom for the blessing of the world.

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. April 1, 1915 Reprints p. 5659

Timeframe: World War I

In the meantime, our eyes of understanding should discern clearly the Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty now in progress; and our faith, guiding our eyes of understanding through the Word, should enable us to see the glorious outcome-Messiah’s kingdom.

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. September 1, 1916 Reprints p. 5651

Outcome of Revelation 16:17?

Instead of heeding this, under Satan’s direction they are rapidly gathering the people to another great conflict, described in the Scriptures as Armageddon. (Revelation 16:13-16)

The Golden Age. September 26, 1923 p. 811

In progress yet marching again.

The hosts are marching toward Armageddon now.

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. September 1, 1926 p. 262

Still marching.

The truth and light that God sheds upon his Word today is strong corroborative evidence that we are in "that day" when the forces are gathering for Armageddon.

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. October 1, 1928 p. 293

Corroborative evidence previously said in progress.

All observe that at this very time darkness is in the earth and gross darkness upon the people concerning the Word of God, and the whole world is in the very shadow of death because Armageddon is just ahead.

The Kingdom the Hope of the World. 1931 p. 60

Just ahead even though it was technically just behind.

A trumpet sound is symbolic of a warning, and in fulfillment of this part of the prophecy Jehovah's witnesses, under the command of the Lord Jesus Christ, now sound the message of the Lord, which message gives warning to the organization that now rules the earth informing them that the battle of Armageddon is about to begin.

Universal War Near. 1935 p. 47, 48

So it didn't begin?

The time limit is up. God’s kingdom is here, and Armageddon is impending. Mark this, that Jehovah said that just preceding Armageddon he would cause his slam to be testified in all the earth. (Exodus 9:16)

Face the Facts. 1938 p. 9

Impending for three years now?

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 and Herald of Christ’s Kingdom. September 15, 1941 p. 288

Ah much better, we only have months.

Jehovah God is approaching the grand climax of his “strange work”, which work precedes the battle of Armageddon. The not distant future, into which the postwar road of mutilated humanity leads, will witness the end of a work that he will never repeat.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 15, 1944 p. 307

What qualifies as none distant future?

The opportunity will close with the battle of Armageddon, now drawing near, when this gospel of the Kingdom will have been preached adequately and the final end of this world will have come according to God’s due time. Then Jehovah will arise to give his own testimony.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 15, 1948 p. 311

Months to drawing near.

Today it is the hope of these other sheeplike ones to survive Armageddon into God’s new world. In this short remaining time till Armageddon it is the due right of the non-Israelite sheep from all nations to come up to the exalted “house of the God of Jacob” to worship Jehovah there and gain salvation. Instead of doing anything to ‘turn them aside from their right,’ let us do everything in obedience to God to direct and help them to their right.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. November 15, 1955 p. 700

Months, drawing near, now short remaining time.

Soon the war of Armageddon will finish off the wicked old world.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1957 p. 112

Soon and still waiting 59 years later (as of February 15, 2016).

There is another vital reason why no Christian can stop speaking: The need to warn others of the impending destruction of this system of things at God’s universal war of Armageddon.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 1, 1962 p. 199

Is it really impending at this point?

This good news tells the people that God’s kingdom has been established in the heavens, that Satan has been cast out of heaven, that God’s war of Armageddon is near, that soon the blessings of God’s kingdom will make this earth into a paradise and that then even the dead in the memorial tombs will arise.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. December 1, 1968 p. 715

Lead up to 1975….

Shortly, within our twentieth century, the “battle in the day of Jehovah” will begin against modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom.

The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah-How? 1971 p. 216

Lead up to 1975….

The nations are indeed “getting ready for Armageddon,” though they do not realize that fact. In Scripture it is identified as God’s war. Soon the Biblical Armageddon will rid this globe of the wicked who are “ruining the earth” and will open the way for lovers of righteousness to live here in peace, really ‘getting on together.’—Rev. 11:18.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 1, 1976 p. 583

Perhaps the timing was off…

Events will move quickly to a finish. Those same political “horns” that devastate the great “harlot” will turn on the seemingly defenseless witnesses of Jehovah. But now they will find themselves battling with none other than Jehovah’s “Lord of lords and King of kings.” They will be at Armageddon.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 1, 1982 p. 18, 19

It takes over 50 years to get to this place?

How many of these are there today? Hundreds of millions. And the number is fast increasing as world conditions rapidly deteriorate and the present system of things approaches its complete end at the battle of Armageddon. (Revelation 16:16)

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1989 p. 7

How much further do world conditions need to deteriorate during the past 27 years?

Our dedication to Jehovah was not on the understanding that we would serve him for just a short time and then Armageddon would come. Our dedication was forever.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. November 1, 1991 p. 12

Dedication to an organization that has gotten it wrong an awful lot.

Before he begins his Thousand Year Reign, however, Jesus Christ must rid the earth of all who oppose his rulership. He will do this at the battle called Armageddon in the Bible. (Revelation 16:16)

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. November 1, 1999 p. 7

Wasn’t this supposed to have happened a number of times?

Over the centuries, a pressing question that has generated endless speculation has been, When will Armageddon come? Examining the book of Revelation in the light of other parts of the Bible can help us determine the timing of this crucial battle.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. December 1, 2005 p. 4, 5

So in short the Watchtower in the past with “war leading up to” or “within months” is guilty of endless speculation.

Events You Are Soon to See Happen

Prophecy 1. The Bible says that the nations will issue a significant declaration of “peace and security.” They may think that they are on the cusp of solving major problems. However, the events that follow this statement will be anything but peaceful.—1 Thessalonians 5:1-3.

Prophecy 2. Next, various governments will decide to move against the world’s religious organizations. In the Bible, these governments are symbolized by a wild beast; and the world’s false religions, by a woman who rides the back of the beast. (Revelation 17:3, 15-18) The symbolic beast will unwittingly do God’s bidding by destroying religions that falsely claim to represent God.

In symbols, the apostle John describes the drama this way: “The ten horns that you saw, and the wild beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her devastated and naked, and will eat up her fleshy parts and will completely burn her with fire. For God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought.”—Revelation 17:16, 17.

Prophecy 3. Following this successful attack on false religion, Satan will marshal the nations for an assault on those who worship Jehovah God.—Revelation 7:14; Matthew 24:21.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 2012 p. 9

So what is the result when the organization focuses on Armageddon? For this I want to focus on one specific event, 1975. The following website talks about the statistics: http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/1975.php

In the years leading up to 1975, there was significant growth. It was driven by the exterior stimulus of “the world is going to end.” When the exterior stimulus proved to not happen, those who were drawn in were the ones most likely to leave.

I would contend that the external action of losing family and your life since the organization has claimed to be the proverbial savior in The Watchtower, May 15, 1983 p. 12-13.

Armageddon has been coming from the first quote I read until the last one from 2012. This organization has not been right yet? Should you place faith in this “victorious organization” that Sunshine mentioned (on the Hen's Pen Show) or God’s word alone? If they can't get this right, should you trust you're eternal state to this organization? Eternity is a long time to be wrong. The decision is yours and yours alone to make.

Added bonus: Armageddon and 1975 quotes