October 2000

From the Watchtower Society we have the following curious statement:  “Interpretation of prophecy has been written time and again by men, and many have believed such interpretation to be true.  Afterward, when they found out that the interpretation was not true, many have become discouraged and have turned away from the study of God’s Word.  This is a great mistake.  If we always keep in mind that the truth is God’s and not man’s, and that no man can interpret prophecy, but that the true follower of the Lord can see it after it is fulfilled, then the student will be less liable to become discouraged.  He will then be giving all honor and glory to Jehovah and not to any man.  Jehovah never makes any mistakes.  Where the student relies upon man, he is certain to be led into difficulties.  When he relies upon the Lord, he will be kept in perfect peace” (Prophecy, pages 67, 68 – copyrighted 1929).

Consider the following questions for the underlined texts above.

1 – Can the true follower of the Lord interpret prophecy before it is fulfilled, or after it is fulfilled

[ ] Before  [ ] After

2 – Will a student be led into difficulties when he relies upon man?

[ ] Yes  [ ] No

3 – In which of these will we find the words of man, in the Bible, or in the Watchtower?

[ ] Bible  [ ] Watchtower

4 – Was it God that led Bible students “time and again” into difficulties over the prophetic expectations in 1914, 1918, 1925, 1941, and 1975?

[ ] Yes  [ ] No

The biblical test of a true prophet is found in Deuteronomy 18:20-22.  In that text the false prophet presumes to speak in the name of the Lord (Jehovah), and he predicts something will come to pass.  Who today claims to speak in the name of Jehovah?  Who has taught that the information in the Watchtower publications is “meat in due season” from Jehovah?  Whose “meat in due season” has predicted Armageddon for 1914, 1925, 1942, 1975?  Have these predictions been fulfilled?  Why not?  Who was the Watchtower listening to when they came up with these dates?  Will any Jehovah’s Witness say it was Jehovah?

By David Henke