Posted by Gary on March 20, 1999 at 02:06:48 {MW9hQZt3yw8IU}:
In Reply to: 1914? Not a Big Deal posted by 5GJW on March 19, 1999 at 13:29:45:
The true significance of 1914 isn't that it is supposed to be the most significant event of all time, but that per Matthew, the "last days" would begin with "nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom", that is, not just regular "wars and reports of wars", but an international conflict, a WORLD WAR.
It didn't mean it was the first world war or even the worst world conflict. Just that it would be significant enough to begin the "pangs of distress."
The second issue making 1914 significant is that Jehovah's Witnesses, god's messengers of the "good news" have focussed on it as the beginning of the last days. So if you believe JWs are part of the prophesies of the last days, that is that they are at least the "temple" organization prophesied to be used by Jehovah in the last days, then that date becomes significant simply because it is the date they have focussed on to warn about the "last generation" and thus it is a pivot point for knowing when that generation would end.
How long is a "generation"?
Either 40 years or 80 years (Ps. 90:10).
Based upon current events, it would seem in this case all things would finally "end" within 80 years from 1914.
So it is still is a significant date for JWs and as well for others who begin the "last generation" with a world war as prophesied by Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Note: 1914 is significant for the beginning of the last generation, but not necessarily significant for any other reason the WTS claims, in fact, specifically not significant for the "end of the gentile times" or the setting up of the kingdom in 1914. That was not scheduled to happen until near the end of that generation, but at least before 1994.
Cheers
Gary