AboutRobert Jones Expertise Answers on what Jehovah's Witnesses believe and how the beliefs effect relationships with non-Jehovah's Witnesses. How congregations are structured. How elders make decisions. How the organization is run.
I try not to post replies as to what "I" believe. That is not the purpose of this site, in my opinion. Please let the following serve as a general statement of belief for any who are interested. I was raised as a JW and spent 32 years actively promoting the religion, the last 13 years as an elder. I was never "irregular" or "inactive" as the labels go. I have not attended a meeting since October 2000. The last time I was in a Kingdom Hall was at my daughter's wedding in 2001. I saw much "new light" flash forth from the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" from 1968 to 2000, which I embraced and promoted.
I do not believe that any one people (the Jews for example) were selected by God to receive a message or blessing that made them special. I believe that sort of thinking to be same sort of delusion that leads to C. T. Russell type religions where the belief is some version of "We are special, God chose us and therefore not you." I am long past preaching anything or trying to convince anyone of anything. I consider spirituality to be a very personal effort that each person must discover for themselves. I do not believe the Bible to be an inspired book any more so than any other preserved ancient writings such as the Koran and Buddhist writings. I do believe that all these writings contain some universal spiritual truths that stand the test of time. I am amazed where these writings compliment each other about the human condition and the higher, or better, way of existence that is possible for those who allow themselves to become enlightened. I see the Jesus person of the Bible as a great teacher of the enlightened way of living. But I also see these writings as influenced by the culture and history of the people from which they come.
Experience Active Jehovah's Witness for 32 years. Congregation elder 13 years. Pioneer work, Congregation Secretary, Watchtower Study Conductor.
Education/Credentials Degree in Computer Programming. Not applicable here.
Question QUESTION: Apparently heaven became 'full' in 1935. After that date there is only an earthly hope available with the exception of the odd one or two replacing remnant who have failed to qualify. Where is the Biblical evidence for this?
ANSWER: Hi David,
Thank you for the question. What you are referring to is an "understanding" of scripture. Or, as some would say, "current light" that progressively gets brighter and brighter. Recently the Society shed "new light" or came to a different understanding on the heavenly hope being closed in 1935. This was due to the facts at hand, thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses since 1935 professing the heavenly hope and many of them now holding positions of great responsibility in the organization. The recent additions to the Governing Body were all men baptized after 1935 and almost all were not even living in 1935.
So, in short, there are no Biblical verses pointing to the heavenly hope becoming full at some date in the past. There is organizational teaching to that effect, but no scriptures.
Robert Jones
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: So what is the current hope that Witnesses are proclaiming? Is it everlasting life on earth or in heaven? Or are people simply asked what they feel their calling is? What is now meant by 'remnant'?
ANSWER: You ask great follow-up questions David.
The hope that Jehovah's Witnesses proclaim is the hope of everlasting life on earth. The hope of life in heaven is conspicuously missing from the message. If you have any of the publications (study aides) you will notice that the pictures in the early chapters are of people enjoying a paradise earth. The message of heavenly life is mentioned in later chapters, without pictures, and the message about heaven is in the context of the anointed remnant who have been faithfully proclaiming Christ's kingdom since the 1800s. By implication, the heavenly hope does not apply to new people who respond. Their hope is the paradise earth, not heaven. The heavenly hope is only for "the remnant", the old anointed ones who have not yet died and received their heavenly reward.
Robert Jones
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you - so I assume that the 144,000 are now complete. However, next question: what is the current significance of the date 1975? Much was made of it in the 1960's
Answer Hmm. Interesting question about the 144,000 being complete. Who can know for sure, right? That is the current understanding of Jehovah's Witnesses, that we cannot know for sure. So, if newer ones come along professing the heavenly hope, we are not to judge. That is between them and Jehovah.
Here is something to think about, though. In the book of Acts there are reports of 2000, then 5000 becoming Christians. Later in Paul's writings, Christianity was reported as having become widespread and the belief being rampant. History reports widespread persecution of the new religion and thousands being put to death in an attempt to stamp it out. Based on that, how long do you think it would take to tally up 144,000 faithful Christians in the 1st century?
But your question is about the current significance of 1975. The year 1975 is not viewed as significant at all, especially by those who became Witnesses after 1980. The year is usually referred to as a time when a great sifting occurred, when Jehovah allowed those who were serving with a date in mind to be sifted out. Jehovah allowed the wrong teaching (or bad light) long enough to weed out those whose hearts were not in the right place. Then Jehovah shed new light, removing the idea that 1975 marked anything that we should be concerned about. So the weeds in the organization were weeded out and the truth continued to become brighter.
Robert Jones
