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At the first we will present the titles of headings in this article:
Let us add that the advertized book does not contain itself such reservations, as presented by Franz at the convention. Did he withdraw from his earlier firmness expressed in the publication? Consider that the book does not contain even one mention about such Jesus' warnings as from Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32 or Acts 1:7. But there are such firm words in it: We are near that point of time now! Bible time-scheduling indicates it.* A world storm must therefore be shortly ahead. [* See Chart on pages 31-35] (Life Everlasting - In Freedom of the Sons of God 1966, p. 357). The third advertisement was included in the Awake! magazine of 1967 and it was presented as a letter written by someone in "the full-time ministry" (the article Life Everlasting Book Appreciated). We will quote just a passage: Among the many expressions of appreciation for the new Bible-study aid Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God that have been received by the Watch Tower Society is the following from one who has been in the full-time ministry for the past forty-two years. (...) And how comforting to read of the present 'Earth-wide Movement of "Men of Good Will" to Freedom,' and to be assured 'that soon they will be enjoying 'A Paradise of Freedom'! "How soon? 1975? It was truly exciting to peruse the chart at the end of chapter 1 on 'Significant Dates from Man's Creation to 7000 A.M.' and yet how carefully the book worded matters: 'How appropriate it would be for Jehovah God to make of this coming seventh period of a thousand years a sabbath of rest and release.' Undoubtedly 'this would be most timely for mankind,' and judging by the fulfillment of such prophecies as that found in Matthew 24, we cannot escape it: Whether 1975 sees the beginning of the thousand-year reign of Christ or not, 'the long-awaited time for this is at hand.' (Awake! January 22, 1967, p. 26). The advertisements of the said book were also printed in the following Watchtower Society's publications: Awake! October 22, 1966, p. 24; The Watchtower January 1, 1967, pp. 28-29; 1967 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, pp. 49-50, 52; Kingdom Ministry No. 1, 1968, pp. 3-6. Life Everlasting... and Misunderstandings The said book was a reason for misunderstandings, for example among Jehovah's Witnesses in Czechoslovakia, so that the country's office had to correct them. Here is the report: "Six Thousand Years of Human Existence" In 1969 the Watchtower magazine in Czech began publishing a series of articles based on the book Life Everlasting - In Freedom of the Sons of God. Chapter 1, under the subheading "Six Thousand Years of Human Existence Closing," contained an explanation of the Jubilee and of Bible chronology. This material influenced some in a positive way; it also led to many questions and much speculation. The office in Czechoslovakia sent a letter dated February 22, 1972, to all congregations. It set out a lengthy explanation of reasons why we should not make any definite assertions about the date when Armageddon will strike. It pointed out that no publication of the Society had said that Armageddon will come in a certain year. The letter concluded: "Jehovah's Witnesses around the world are familiar with these facts, and no one should add any personal claims as to what will happen before or during the year 1975. There are no Scriptural grounds for any claims, and they could have a detrimental effect on the preaching work. Strive, therefore, that you 'all speak in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.' (1 Cor. 1:10) For concerning that day and hour nobody knows." - Matt. 24:36. (2000 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, pp. 196-197). It is a pity that the Watchtower Society did not quote the mentioned letter in its entirety. It would be interesting to know if the letter discussed for example the following words from the said book: We are near that point of time now! Bible time-scheduling indicates it.* A world storm must therefore be shortly ahead. [* See Chart on pages 31-35] (Life Everlasting - In Freedom of the Sons of God 1966, p. 357). Life Everlasting... and Schisms The said book was allegedly a material against dissenters who appeared in 1975, for example among Jehovah's Witnesses in Mozambique. Here is the report: Apostasy and Village No. 10. A movement that stirred up much trouble was started by an apostate group that called themselves "the anointed." Originating mainly from the Malawian villages, this group claimed that the "time of the elders" had ended in 1975 and that they, as "the anointed," should be the ones taking the lead. The material in the Society's book Life Everlasting - In Freedom of the Sons of God was a great aid in helping some who had doubts to understand what was involved in the genuine anointing. But the influence of the apostates spread, and many who listened to them were led astray. As part of their doctrine, they said that it was not necessary to send in reports to the Society. They would simply throw these into the air after saying a prayer. It is estimated that about 500 were disfellowshipped as a result of this apostate influence. They decided of their own accord, and with the permission of the authorities, to build their own village. This became Village No. 10. Later on, the leader of the movement was attended to by a train of young women, many of whom bore him children. Village No. 10 and its group continued in existence throughout the remaining period of life in the camps. They caused many difficulties for the faithful brothers. Some who were initially influenced to join the group later repented and returned to Jehovah's organization. The apostate community was finally disbanded when life in the camps came to a close. (1996 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, pp. 158-159). The Watchtower Society 'forgot' to add that "the year 1975" is not a part of that event by a mere coincidence. So it seems that in Mozambique the book could be 'blamed' for the situation, and it was not only a 'publication' helpful to 'faithful' Jehovah's Witnesses. Surely frustrated dissenters left the organization when nothing of suggestions or teachings from the said book were fulfilled in 1975. Life Everlasting... and Nicolae Ceausescu It is a curiosity that in 1971 the Watchtower Society sent among other things the said book to a communist dictator of Romania, so called "the Sun of Carpathians", Nicolae Ceausescu (d 1989). In its letter it demanded from him that he should give more freedom to publishers in Romania, and by the sent book it hoped to convert him or threaten him with Armageddon expected in 1975. It is reported in a book 2006 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses (p. 130). This event was by no means a novelty in the activity of the Watchtower Society, because as early as in 1949 Jehovah's Witnesses sent their petition to the USSR government and Joseph Stalin and showed their "neutrality" by threatening them with Jehovah, who will allegedly be active in Armageddon: "We demand that Jehovah's Witnesses be released from prison and that the persecution against them be stopped. Jehovah God's organization, by means of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, should be permitted to preach, unhindered, the good news of Jehovah's Kingdom to all the inhabitants of the Soviet Union; otherwise, Jehovah will utterly destroy the Soviet Union and the Communist Party. "This we demand in the name of Jehovah God..." (Awake! February 22, 1999, p. 12). Life Everlasting... and 1975 The following are all the passages referring directly to the year 1975: SIX THOUSAND YEARS OF HUMAN EXISTENCE CLOSING The time is fast drawing near for the reality that was foreshadowed by the Jubilee of liberty to be proclaimed throughout the earth to all mankind now oppressed by many enslaving things. In view of the earth-wide situation and the world's condition, it appears most urgent for the liberation like that of the Jubilee to come soon. Most certainly the near future would be the most appropriate time for it. God's own written Word indicates that it is the appointed time for it. (Life Everlasting - In Freedom of the Sons of God 1966, pp. 26-27); By doing this it becomes evident that man is nearing the end of six thousand years of his existence and the beginning of the seventh period of a thousand years of his existence. (p. 27); and the published timetable resulting from this independent study gives the date of man's creation as 4026 B.C.E. According to this trustworthy Bible chronology six thousand years from man's creation will end in 1975, and the seventh period of a thousand years of human history will begin in the fall of 1975 C.E. (p. 29); How appropriate it would be for Jehovah God to make of this coming seventh period of a thousand years a sabbath period of rest and release, a great Jubilee sabbath for the proclaiming of liberty throughout the earth to all its inhabitants! This would be most timely for mankind. It would also be most fitting on God's part, for, remember, mankind has yet ahead of it what the last book of the Holy Bible speaks of as the reign of Jesus Christ over earth for a thousand years, the millennial reign of Christ. Prophetically Jesus Christ, when on earth nineteen centuries ago, said concerning himself: "For Lord of the sabbath is what the Son of man is." (Matthew 12:8) It would not be by mere chance or accident but would be according to the loving purpose of Jehovah God for the reign of Jesus Christ, the "Lord of the sabbath," to run parallel with the seventh millennium of man's existence. (p. 30); 4026 - Creation of Adam (in early autumn) (p. 31); 1975 - 6000 - End of 6th 1,000-year day of man's existence (in early autumn) 2975 - 7000 - End of 7th 1,000-year day of man's existence (in early autumn) (p. 35). The sealing of the last of these, a mere remnant finally, would be accomplished before the thousand-year reign of the "Lamb of God," Jesus Christ, begins. This would mean that the remnant of these "slaves of our God" would be sealed in their foreheads as God's special property toward the end of six thousand year of humankind's existence. We are near that point of time now! Bible time-scheduling indicates it.* A world storm must therefore be shortly ahead. [* See Chart on pages 31-35] (p. 357). Life Everlasting... and the Watchtower March 15, 1980 In the publication quoted below the Watchtower Society tried to excuse its publishers and itself of "the year 1975". An 'accomplice' in that failure was the said book, which was - as it seems - presented in false way. It is stated that the book pointed to 1975 as a "possibility" for the beginning of the millennium. But we will quote a passage from the book which expresses a certainty, although the Watchtower Society is now silent concerning that certainty.
Life Everlasting... in Memories The Watchtower Society recalls the said book in two of its known publications. Firstly in 1975, when it was yet uncertain if Armageddon comes that year. The other mention was published in 1993, in the handbook entitled Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Here are the both quotations: Just think where we are in the stream of time! Its importance was deeply impressed on our minds back in 1966. God's people then received the absorbing book Life Everlasting - in Freedom of the Sons of God. It did not take long for most of them to note the chronological chart in it that identified 1975 as the "end of 6th 1,000-year day of man's existence (in early autumn)." This certainly raised questions. Does this mean that Babylon the Great will go down by 1975? Will Armageddon be over, with Satan bound, by then? 'It could' acknowledged F. W. Franz, the Watch Tower Society's vice-president, after posing similar questions at the "God's Sons of Liberty" District Assembly in Baltimore, Maryland. However, he added, in essence: 'But we are not saying. All things are possible with God. But we are not saying. And don't any of you be specific in saying anything that is going to happen between now and 1975. But the big point of it all is this, dear friends: Time is short. Time is running out, no question about that.' Among other things, Brother Franz urged: "Let us make the most of the time and get in all the good hard work to Jehovah while the opportunity affords." Some years have passed since then, but this has only heightened the urgency of the preaching work. Jehovah's servants know that they have not dedicated their lives to God until a certain year. They are his dedicated people forever! (...) May we remain alert, active, as the end nears. We must "keep on the watch." This is not the day for spiritual sleepyheads! It is the time for wakefulness, diligence, faithfulness, in serving the Divine One whose marvelous and incomparable purpose cannot and will not fail. (1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, p. 256); The Witnesses had long shared the belief that the Thousand Year Reign of Christ would follow after 6,000 years of human history. But when would 6,000 years of human existence end? The book Life Everlasting - In Freedom of the Sons of God, released at a series of district conventions held in 1966, pointed to 1975. Right at the convention, as the brothers examined the contents, the new book triggered much discussion about 1975. At the convention held in Baltimore, Maryland, F. W. Franz gave the concluding talk. He began by saying: "Just before I got on the platform a young man came to me and said, 'Say, what does this 1975 mean?'" Brother Franz then referred to the many questions that had arisen as to whether the material in the new book meant that by 1975 Armageddon would be finished, and Satan would be bound. He stated, in essence: 'It could. But we are not saying. All things are possible with God. But we are not saying. And don't any of you be specific in saying anything that is going to happen between now and 1975. But the big point of it all is this, dear friends: Time is short. Time is running out, no question about that.' (Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom 1993, p. 104). It is worthwhile to compare the above words of F. Franz with his actual statement of 1966 (see above: Advertisement of Life Everlasting...). Notice that Vice President's statement was 'shortened' a bit, so that the dramaturgy of those events was lost.
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Opracował: Piotr Andryszczak
© 2007
