The Truth is simple! It becomes complicated only when we deviate from it by going "beyond the things that are written."
—1 Corinthians 4:6
 

"Faithful and Discreet"
or "good-for-nothing" slaves?

The foremost shepherd of God's sheep is Jesus Christ. (John 10:11) But Jesus said that there would also be others, slaves of his, who would be appointed to feed and care for the sheep. The faithful slaves would be rewarded with greater responsibility, while any wicked or evil slave who abused his position would be dismissed and punished. That is why Jesus asked the rhetorical question: "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?" (Matt. 24:45)

The Governing Body members enjoin that Jesus was referring to them. Thus, they love to refer to themselves as "the Faithful and Discreet Slave," having adopted this as their title of distinction. They claim to have already been rewarded by their master and entrusted with all his belongings.

But Jesus put any presumed importance of his "faithful and discreet slave" into proper perspective when he said: "[The master] will not feel gratitude to the slave because he did the things assigned, will he? So you, also, when you have done all the things assigned to you, say, 'We are good-for-nothing slaves. What we have done is what we ought to have done." ―Luke 17:7-10, NWT

"This Generation"

The Watchtower of February 15, 2008, (pages 23-25), offered an updated explanation regarding "this generation," as mentioned by Jesus at Matthew 24:34. But this was not a "new" understanding, as it returned to the interpretation of 81 years earlier, in the 1927 Watchtower, February 15, page 62.

The changing explanations over the years of "this generation":

C.T. Russell taught that "this generation" referred to people in general, who were living at a significant time in history. (Battle of Armageddon, pages 603-605)

J.F. Rutherford changed this in 1927 to apply only to the members of the "new creation," the anointed. "Some members of the new creation will be on the earth at the time of Armageddon." (W27, 2/15, p 62, click to view photocopy (res. 900x1191)

In 1942, "this generation" was no longer identified with just the anointed. (W42, 7/1, p 204, par. 43)

In 1949 it was more clearly explained that it "had its modern counterpart in our generation from A.D. 1914 forward. This generation is the one that sees the Son of man coming with the clouds of heaven as foretold by Daniel." It was expected that the generation of 1914 would be on hand to witness the end of this system. (W49, 7/15, p 215, par. 19)

By 1995 time for "this generation" had run out and the explanation needed to be updated. Therefore, "this generation" became "the wayward people who make up this contemporary 'wicked and adulterous generation,'" but no longer limited to any particular date. (w95 11/1 p. 15 par. 21)

Then in 2008, we were told: "As a class, these anointed ones make up the modern-day 'generation' of contemporaries that will not pass away 'until all these things occur.'" (W08, 2/15, p 23-25)

This explanation was a return to the one offered in 1927, which had already been discredited.

The April 15, 2010 Watchtower adds the following "increased light": "[The word 'generation'] usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end...[Jesus] evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation. That generation had a beginning, and it surely will have an end."

Isaiah foretold:
"O my people, those leading you on are causing [you] to wander, and the way of your paths they have confused. . . Jehovah himself will enter into judgment with the elderly ones of his people and its princes." —Isaiah 3:12-14.

Jehovah's Witnesses Statistics
(1914 to the Present)

▪ Number of Peak Publishers
▪ Number Baptized
▪ Memorial Attendance
▪ Memorial Partakers
▪ Number of Congregations
▪ Number of Lands

What is the "AGAPE" [αγάπη] as used in the Scriptures?
Is it a special kind of godly or Christian love?

● A Generation Pure in Its Own Eyes 
● "Be Patient and Trust Jehovah" 

 ● God's View On Dedication
          Is Baptism about dedicating yourself to God?        
● Ephesians 5:33 ― Is It About "Deep Respect"?
 ● John 10:16 ― Who are the "Other Sheep"? 
● Prophecies That We Need to Understand 
       . . . and those we don't.
 ● Disfellowshipping - Discipline or Punishment? 
          •  Banishment in Other Societies
● The Fall of "Babylon the Great"
 ● Did "Spiritual" Israel Replace Natural Israel?
 ● "My People Like It That Way"
● Who Are God's Sons?

 ● "Born Again" ― What did Jesus mean?
            - that Nicodemus must have faith in Jesus in order for him to rule in his heart?
            - that Nicodemus must be anointed with holy spirit to rule with Jesus in heaven?
            - or was Prophecy about to be fulfilled that Nicodemus should have understood?

● Does God Have an Organization? 
            • Are All Religions Approved by God?
            • God's Spiritual Temple
            • The "Man of Lawlessness" Within God's Temple                       
● Distinguishing Between the Sacred and the Secular
 ● Obedience is Still the Primary Issue! 
 ● What  Does 607 BCE Mean to You―and Does it Matter?
 ● The First Resurrection―When and How? 
 ● The Great Tribulation is Jehovah's Day at Armageddon
● The Memorial, and The Command to Partake
 ● JESUS Is Not GOD―In Jesus' Own Words

        --- Click on the above printer icon for its print copy ---

Did Jesus make a "covenant" for a kingdom with his disciples?
• What did Jesus tell his disciples at Luke 22:29? Compare with the original Greek, and the New World Translation Reference Bible Appendix. Does it matter? Judge for yourself! 
     
1975 - What did the Society's literature really teach about 1975? Did individuals read too much into what was being printed regarding 1975? Did you read the book "Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God" (pages 26-30), published in 1966? Did it affect your outlook and expectations?