Can a Jehovah's Witness here explain the new definition of the word "generation"?

Question

JWs have invented a new definition for the word generation that of course nobody outside JWs knows anything about, including the writers of dictionaries. I guess dictionaries are also a proprietary book of the JWs like the Bible is, eh?

Answer 1

Good question!

But I don't have an answer.

Answer 2

No we have not invented a new meaning for the word generation.

We have looked at the various ways the word was used in the context of various Bible situations. Different Bible writers used it in different ways from meaning a period of ones life span 70 or 80 (Psalms 90:10)

It was also used to describe a particular period of time

(Matthew 12:39) 39 In reply he said to them: “A wicked and adulterous generation. . .

(Matthew 12:45) . . .That is how it will be also with this wicked generation.”

(Luke 11:29) 29 When the crowds were massing together, he started to say: “This generation is a wicked generation; it looks for a sign. . . .

So we try to determine in what situation the word generation is used.

It was though that Jesus words at Matthew 24:34) . . .. 34 Truly I say to YOU that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur..... might have referred to the definition as per Psalms 90:10  "10 In themselves the days of our years are seventy years;

And if because of special mightiness they are eighty years,"

Now we think Jesus words refer to a period of time of wickedness as in Matthew 12:39,45 mentioed above

Answer 3

At Dictionary.com the definition of "generation" is...

the term of years, roughly 30 among human beings, accepted as the average period between the birth of parents and the birth of their offspring.

I believe it was closer to roughly 40 years in biblical times because in Matthew 1:17 there are 14 generations from the deportation to Babylon to the time of Christ's birth.

40 X 14 = 560 BC (at 40 years per generation)

80 X 14 = 1120 BC (at 80 years per generation according to the WBTS)

If the JWs want to use 80 years per generation then their 607 BC chronology of deportation to Babylon is thrown into the garbage bin! If they really want to use the Bible to define generation, then they really ought to use Matthew 1:17 to define generation, not the Psalm verse showing a life span of up to 80 years!!! Just another example of unbiblical resources made up by some very old men at the WBTS!!!

Answer 4

Sure I could do that for you. In fact I have done that more than once and in addition I even offered an alternate explanation.

But, because I have come to realize that you really are not interested in anything Jehovah's Witnesses have to say, I'll save my breath and refrain from answering this time.

If someone else out there really wants to know, convince me and I may oblige.

Answer 5

The November 1st, 1995, Watchtower carried a study article that redefined a generation—decoupling it from any sort of time frame. The timing of that article coincided with the expiration of 80 complete years from October 1914. The significance of the passing of 80 years is that prior to 1995 many of us had speculated about the length of the generation that would not pass away.

One of the scriptures that seemed to set the parameters of a generation is the 90th Psalm, which reads: "The days of our years are seventy years; and if because of special mightiness they are eighty years, yet their insistence is on trouble and hurtful things; for it must quickly pass by, and away we fly."

It is noteworthy that the author of that Psalm, Moses, lived to be exactly 120 years old. Yet, by inspiration he seems to have precisely described the average lifespan of our generation. So, based on that verse, the idea was out there among many of Jehovah's Witnesses leading up to the 1990's that 80 years was the maximum time allowance for the 1914 generation. When 1994 came and passed, the Watchtower felt compelled to redefine what Jesus meant about a generation that would not pass away until all things had occurred.

The Watchtower's latest commentary on "this generation" points out that Jesus always used the term "generation" in connection with the characterization of a "crooked and twisted generation." According to the Watchtower's latest commentary, rather than defining the duration of a specific generation, Jesus' use of the term merely defined the character of any given generation.

The only problem with that definition is that, while Jesus did in fact use the expression "crooked and twisted generation" on many occasions, that is not the expression he used when speaking about the generation that would not pass away. He merely said: "This generation."

Answer 6

Jehovah's Witnesses use the Bible's context to recognize definitions for terms such as "generation" and "this generation".

For several decades after 1914, Jehovah's Witnesses misunderstood Jesus' use of the term "this generation". Since they have never claimed to be infallible or inspired by God, Witnesses' Bible understanding comes from research.

In a moment, consider for yourself whether you would likely have agreed with their earlier reasoning at the time and whether you agree that their current understanding is a conscientious readjustment based on evidence.

For the vast majority of their modern history, Jehovah's Witnesses have taught (and continue to teach) that "the last days" or "the conclusion of the system of things" began in 1914.

.. ..(2 Timothy 3:1) In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here

.. ..(Matthew 24:3) Disciples approached [Jesus] privately, saying: "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?"

The Scriptures also call this period the "[second] coming" of Jesus or the "[second] presence" of Jesus. The Scriptures continue to describe a list of signs given by Jesus that would indicate that this time had arrived.

Jehovah's Witnesses noticed something else particularly interesting in Jesus' discussion of these "last days" as recorded in the Gospels:

.. ..(Matthew 24:34) Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.

.. ..(Mark 13:30) Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.

.. ..(Luke 21:32) Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur.

It seemed logical to suppose that Jesus was referring to the lifespans of the individuals who had seen the initiation of these signs in 1914, and this was the understanding of Jehovah's Witnesses for many years. More than a dozen books, and hundreds of magazine issues repeated this understanding.

However, Jesus had actually used the expression "this generation" more than a dozen times in the Gospels. Over the decades, bible scholars among Jehovah's Witnesses analyzed these other bible passages, and recognized something significant. Interestingly, none of Jesus' other usages was in reference to a lifespan! Instead, Jesus had elsewhere used the term "this generation" to refer simply to a group that was identified with a particular mindset (See Luke 11:29-33).

The November 1, 1995 issue of "The Watchtower" clarified this matter for Jehovah's Witnesses, and further clarification was published in late 2007. Witnesses now understand Jesus' words to mean that the list of signs would continue without real improvement, and the mindset of most humans would remain unconcerned about the impending judgment of Armageddon. Yet, the "little flock" of which the apostles were the founding members would continue on the earthly scene until "the sign" was completed at Armageddon.

.. ..(Matthew 24:37-39) For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of [Jesus] the Son of man will be.

A careful review of Matthew chapter 24 makes it clear that this passage uses the terms "disciples", "you [plural]", "chosen ones", and "this generation" synonymously. Those disciples who walked with Jesus were the beginnings of the "little flock" of "chosen ones" who would be "anointed" as 'kings and priests' to rule alongside Christ in heaven. Later, in the book of Revelation, Jesus gives the exact number as 144,000, but even in this passage from Matthew it is clear that Jesus intended to emphasize that their successors would not leave the earthly scene until "the sign" culminated at "the great tribulation" and Armageddon. Of course, untold millions of "other sheep" Christians would survive the great tribulation as human subjects of God's Messianic Kingdom and so would remain on earth forever.

.. ..(Matthew 24:3,4,9,13,14,23-25,30-34) While he was sitting upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached [Jesus] privately, saying: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” And in answer Jesus said to them: “...9 “Then people will deliver you up to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name. ...13 But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. 14 And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come. ...23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. 25 Look! I have forewarned you. ...Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together...[When a tree] puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 Likewise also you, when you see all these things, know that he is near at the doors. 34 Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.

.. ..(Luke 12:32) Have no fear, little flock, because your Father has approved of giving you the kingdom. [compare John 3:16: "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock"]

.. ..(2 Corinthians 1:20-21) Through him [Christ] is the “Amen” said to God for glory through us [Christians with a heavenly calling]. But he who guarantees that you and we belong to Christ and he who has anointed us is God.

.. ..(Revelation 1:5,6) Jesus Christ, “the Faithful Witness,” “The firstborn from the dead,” and “The Ruler of the kings of the earth.” To him that loves us and that loosed us from our sins by means of his own blood— and he made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father

.. ..(Revelation 7:4,9,14,15) And I heard the number of those who were sealed [for service in heaven], a hundred and forty-four thousand... 9 After these things I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before [literally "in sight of"] the throne and before [literally "in sight of"] the Lamb, dressed in white robes... These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. That is why they are before the throne of God [literally "in sight of"; compare same Gr term used at 1 Tim 5:21;2 Tim 2:14; Rom 14:22; Gal 1:20]

Answer 7

Dictionaries DO CHANGE with time as language changes.  Anybody remember when "g*y" did not mean a life-style?

The message of the Bible does not change but human understanding of it does.

Back when C.T. Russel & Company were coming out of false religion, there were many errors.  We don't look down on them because it is a greater victory for them just to see beyond the excrement false religion has blinded people with for centuries.  Fortunately, Jehovah's spirit was with them.  Like Jesus with his apostles, he did not correct them severely every time they made a mistake but allowed them to learn gradually.  These early JWs did as well.

Today we understand a generation can refer not to just one person's age, but anyone living around that time.  There are still a great many alive in such a larger group.

This is true of most things.  As we grow up, we learn things more deeply and get a clearer understanding of matters.  Too bad for the churches of Christendom.  Clinging to the same tired obvious wrong thinking from the Middle Ages.

Answer 8

it is sad that they are always coming up with new terms - like you said, dictionaries don't change, and neither does the bible.  i guess all one can do is pray for them!

Answer 9

Generation would average every 20 -- 25 years.  

I am not a Jehovah's Witness but did study with Michelle for 4 years.  

My take on the span on generation to generation.

Answer 10

I think a lot of older Jehovah's Witnesses will be hitting the road after this change.

Answer 11

Your statement is both untrue and unfair. Witnesses don't "invent" things. New understandings of scriptures are reached through continous studying. Unlike most other religions, witnesses are willing to make changes instead of holding on to manmade traditions and false doctrines.

Neither is it true that "nobody outside JWs knows anything about."

The recent updated information regarding "the generation" in Matthew 24:34 was printed in the Watchtower magazine and discussed at public meetings at Kingdom Halls worldwide. The magazine is distributed to the public worldwide and the meetings are public as well. So there's no "hiding" going on.