watchtower-theology
What Does “This Generation” Mean to Jehovah’s Witnesses?
One of the most recognizable teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses is the belief that we are living in “the last days.” Closely connected with this belief is Jesus’ statement recorded at Matthew 24:34:
“This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.”
For much of the twentieth century, Jehovah’s Witnesses understood this verse to refer to the generation of people who were alive in 1914, the year they believe Jesus Christ began ruling invisibly in heaven.
Read moreWatchtower Removed the Scaffolding — The Building Still Stands
For decades, Jehovah’s Witnesses were taught to see hidden prophetic patterns throughout the Bible. Nearly every major Old Testament account could become a “type” pointing to a larger “antitype” in modern times. These prophetic parallels were not treated as interesting possibilities — they were presented as evidence that Jehovah’s Witnesses occupied a central role in God’s purpose.
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