Posted by Wrong dates.. [Bibleman] on November 01, 1999 at 15:30:32 {2gTL9dbN6kMSSTtTA17sslyACFuF8c}:
In Reply to: **? for active J.W.s please posted by ExDub on November 01, 1999 at 12:23:17:
The WTS probably did the best they could with the information they had. The conspiracy to change Persian history was quite comprehensive and only now do we have the actual research data to overturn the 587BCE and 539BCE chronology for that period.
The Bible's chronology for the fall of Jerusalem is 529BCE, now substantiated by two astronomical texts. That is simply based upon 483 years from 29CE to start the "70 weeks" in 455BCE which falls in the 1st year of Cyrus. Then 70 years of exile beginning in 525BCE in the 23rd year of Nebuchadnezzar which was the last deportation (Jer. 52:30 compare 44:14 and 28); meaning the fall of Jerusalem occurred four years earlier in 529BCE.
The VAT4956 text has dating for "Year 37" of Nebuchadnezzar II in 511BCE, and the SK400 text has "year 7" dating to 541BCE of Nebuchadnezzar. Both confirming that the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar fell originally in 529BCE before the revisions were made. So that is DIRECT PROOF and evidence the Bible's chronology is correct.
When dated in 529BCE, the "END of the system of things" that is the "END of the gentile times" occurs in 1992, which is before the end of the generation of 1914 runs out in 1994.
The WTS can't get this right with the wrong dating and the wrong application.
Here's what is wrong:
1. They think the "great tribulation" is yet to come, but it was the HOLOCAUST. Note Matthew 24:29 mandates the great tribulation be over before the Messiah comes near the end of that generation!!!
2. They think the "end of the system of things" is Armageddon. It is not. It is the END of the "appointed times of the nations" as Luke points out was part of the context of Jesus' speech about the last days.
3. They don't realize that 1914 is an incorrect date based upon the fall of Jerusalem in 607BCE, when the actual dating was in 529BCE.
So think about it. Jesus doesn't come in kingdom power at the BEGINNING of that generation but near the very end. His coming is what ENDS the gentile times. All these signs lead up to that time when he reappears. So 1914 is never, ever, going to work for the end of the gentile times or when Jesus appears in kingdom power.
So there is no way the WTS can fix the "last generation" and still remain Biblically correct as long as they hold onto the wrong dates and the wrong understanding. Only reading your Bible now will help you to fully understand how totally in the dark the WTS is on this now.
I suggest you simply Read Matthew 24 for the first time. Without the Watchtower near-by. Read the entire section up until verse 30 so you can get the big picture.
Then you'll realize that the Messiah must come in kingdom power AFTER the "great tribulation" and after all those signs and near the end of that generation, not at the beginning. That's so fundamental.
1992 is the correct date for the "END" which did occur before 1994. The Bible is true.
Read this. Know this.
Cheers,
Bibleman