For decades the Watchtower taught that the tribulation also began in 1914 and was cut short in 1918. Although the Society has long since discarded that teaching they continue to insist that the sign of Christ's presence has already been realized.

Once "the appointed times of the nations" ended in 1914, a sign on a vast scale would be available, manifesting that soon the present wicked system would end in a "great tribulation." (Luke 21:24) Millions alive today can testify that this sign has been fulfilled in the world wars and other momentous events of this 20th century. (February 15th, 1994, Watchtower)

But is it really true that "millions alive today" can personally testify that the sign of Christ's presence has displayed itself? Shouldn't those who give testimony to such a momentous event as the return of Christ be the actual eyewitnesses to the sign—as the apostles were to the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ?

Didn't Jesus say "when you see all these things"?

Have "millions alive today" personally seen "all these things"?

The US Census indicates that in 1990 there were over 31 million people over the age of 65 and only 37,306 centenarians. That means that in 1994, when the article quoted above was written, there was only a relative handful of people alive in the United States who would barely qualify as being adults in 1914 and, hence, capable of observing and comprehending what had taken place. Of course, now in 2005 there are considerably fewer people who were alive before 1914.

As for the 1935 cutoff date for the general anointing—there is nothing in the Scriptures to support that. It is just an assumption based upon an announcement at the 1935 convention that the "great multitude" of Revelation was a class of non-anointed persons who would eventually inherit the earth.

What we may expect in the future is what we assume to have already occurred. Namely: nation rising against nation, kingdom against kingdom; along with food shortages and pandemics on a scale never before seen. That will mark the beginning of the reign of Christ and will lead immediately into the tribulation upon the holy place and culminate on the battlefield of Armageddon. It is during the prophetically delineated period of 3 ½ years that the resurrection of the holy ones commences—beginning first with those who are already sleeping in death—along with those holy ones who are instantaneously resurrected in the blink of an eye as they are killed during the conclusion.

The sign of Christ's presence is likened to the first sign of spring; comparable to a budding fig tree that heralds the nearness of summer. In like manner, the sign of Christ's presence will quickly, inexorably, unfold and reach its climax in a relatively short period of time and will not extend over decades and generations.

Repackaging a lie with a pretty wrapping paper and bow doesn't make it true, does it? If God were really made up of three different persons shouldn't we expect the Bible to say at least something about it? The fact is the Scriptures do not in any way support the Trinity concept.

As for the notion that Jesus was equal to God before he came to the earth the Bible says the exact opposite. Consider what Philippians 2:5-6 says regarding Jesus' pre-human relationship with God. Paul wrote: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Note: the footnote in the NIV admits that "very nature of God" is more accurately rendered as "in God's form"—which is the way the NWT expresses it.)

If Jesus "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped" doesn't that indicate that Jesus was not equal with God before he became a man? But how sensible is it that God is not equal with himself or that one faction of God's supposed triplicate personality may be tempted to grasp for equality within the imaginary threefold godhead? True, Jesus was in God's form—meaning he was in God's likeness; as a son resembles his father. And as a highly privileged and beloved son Jesus could have been tempted to take the attitude: "Wait a minute! I am the Only-begotten son of Jehovah. I helped create the universe! No way am I going to leave my glorious place in heaven to go down into that hell hole on earth to rescue that rabble!" But he didn't respond that way. Instead, he humbly considered God's superiority over himself and did not seek to cash in on his privileged standing as the one closest to Jehovah. In that respect he did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.

Unquestionably Jehovah's Witnesses are exhorted to stay on the watch. But the question is, on the watch for what? The Watchtower Society has led us to believe that virtually all the features of the sign of Christ's presence have been in evidence for nearly a century.

According to the Keep on the Watch brochure Jehovah's Witnesses are to remain on the watch for the destruction of Babylon the Great by the 8th king. That's it! Aside from the actual war of Armageddon and the abyssing of Satan and the beginning of the 1,000 year reign of Christ, the Society teaches that the destruction of the symbolic harlot is the only aspect of Revelation yet to be realized. Since that is undeniably the case, there is simply no allowance in our outlook for any such thing as world war three or the collapse of the Watchtower Society. And that's the problem.

The real test will be when the actual presence of Christ begins and the organization is thrown into chaos and confusion. Then each one will have their faith tested to the limit. The 7th chapter of Micah foretells that very thing, saying:

"The day of your watchmen, of your being given attention, must come. Now will occur the confounding of them. Do not put your faith in a companion. Do not put your trust in a confidential friend. From her who is lying in your bosom guard the openings of your mouth. For a son is despising a father; a daughter is rising up against her mother; a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his household. But as for me, it is for Jehovah that I shall keep on the lookout. I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me."

I have read many translations of Daniel 11:25, 26 and they all say that the king of the south does not stand. But in the New World Translation, according to the Paying Attention to Daniel's Prophecy book, the king of the north is the one who does not stand. Why the discrepancy?

“Then he will stir up his courage and raise a great army against the king of the south. The king of the south will go to battle with a mighty army, but to no avail, for plots against him will succeed. Those of his own household will bring his downfall. His army will be swept away, and many will be killed.”

Throughout your essays on e-watchman, you have presented a fairly convincing case that 1914 was not the end of the appointed times of the nations; and that such events as the crowning of Christ, the end of the gentile times, the standing up of Michael, the great prince, will be in evidence during the time of the end. Moreover, you have shown that this time period will correspond to the great tribulation and that all such events and many more are still in the future, as you offer convincing proof and biblical insight refuting the Society's many applications of prophecies surrounding the 1914 chronology.

I would think that many Witnesses reading materials on e-watchman would stop relying on the Society, viewing many of their interpretation of prophecy as being outdated. Where do you think that will leave us in view of the fact that we have been taught that Jehovah's visible organization is akin to Noah's Ark? Will we find ourselves outside the Ark so-to-speak? Should the Society review their interpretation of what will constitute Noah's Ark during the time of the end?