What follows is a visual sampling of the bulk of that data. Searches and quote verifications from any of these publications is also available upon request (and after approval from Teary himself) if the sincere reader desires--simply shoot the blog owner an email or leave the request in the comments, and it will be reviewed in a timely manner.
1.0 The Watchtower Magazine
2.0 Golden Age
3.0 Consolation
4.0 Awake!
5.0 Society Books
6.0 Related Non-Society Works
7.0 Studies in the Scriptures
8.0 Russell
9.0 Photo Drama of Creation
11.0 Minor Publications
12.0 Tracts and Miscellaneous
13.0 Conventions
14.0 Newspaper and Correspondence
15.0 Legal
could you please provide context for the "God's dates, not ours" quote, which I beleive is from the July 15th, 1894
ReplyDelete"CAN IT BE DELAYED UNTIL 1914?
ReplyDeleteSeventeen years ago people said, concerning the time features presented in MILLENNIAL DAWN, They seem reasonable in many respects, but surely no such radical changes could occur between now and the close of 1914: if you had proved that they would come about in a century or two, it would seem much more probable. What changes have since occurred, and what velocity is gained daily? “The old is quickly passing and the new is coming in.” Now, in view of recent labor troubles and threatened anarchy, our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They say that they do not see how present conditions can hold out so long under the strain. We see no reason for changing the figures-nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of l914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble. We see no reason for changing from our opinion expressed in the view presented in the WATCH TOWER of January 15, 92.
We advise that it be read again." (WT July 15, 1894)
And so again, here we are dealing with the writers clearly stating that it is "their belief" that this interpretation is correct. They are not claiming divine inspiration or infallibility -- they say the dates are "God's dates" simply because they got the dates from the Bible itself, and they considered any prophecy already given in the Bible to have an eventual guaranteed fulfillment. As further clarification, just look at the statement they made only 2 years later that affirms basically the same thing that I just explained:
"Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible, or on a par with the holy Scriptures. The most we claim or have ever claimed for our teachings is that they are what we believe to be harmonious interpretations of the divine Word, in harmony with the spirit of the truth." ("Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness," No. 2, Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, 15 December 1896, reprint, 2080)
"They are,we believe God's Dates not ours" its interesting to note that in many opposers quote of these words,there is sometimes an ellypse where the expression "we believe" should be.Some leave out the expression with no ellypse whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteThat is no real surprise. Opposers of Witnesses are notorious for their creative use of ellipses.
ReplyDeleteJust see the "Elders should slaughter apostates" and "Laying to rest the mentally diseased nonsense" posts for examples =P
Excellent job. I am interested to some of your files, if only is possible.
ReplyDeleteWow great collection! Thank you so much!
ReplyDelete