Quote from Awake!
1993 3/22 p. 4
"Why So Many False Alarms?":
Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, have suggested
dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them
false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate
predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’ Never did they say, ‘These are the words
of Jehovah.’ The Watchtower, the official journal of Jehovah’s Witnesses, has
said: “We have not the gift of prophecy.” (January 1883, page 425) “Nor would we
have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible.” (December 15, 1896,
page 306) The Watchtower has also said that the fact that some have Jehovah’s
spirit “does not mean those now serving as Jehovah’s witnesses are inspired. It
does not mean that the writings in this magazine The Watchtower are inspired and
infallible and without mistakes.” (May 15, 1947, page 157) “The Watchtower does
not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic.” (August 15,
1950, page 263) “The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible.
Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible
writers. (2 Tim.
3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became
clearer, to correct views. (Prov.
4:18)”—February 15,
1981, page 19.
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