ePig Pen - commentaries for our time

9-15 December 2004 - A time to watch?

Is there anything in the fact that 15 December 2004 marks 120 years of Watchtower Society history? Is it the end of the road for the WTS?

Is there anything in the fact this occurs in the Hanukkah period - 9 December to 15 December (the 25th day of the ninth month on the Jewish calendar)

WTS was incorporated on 15 December 1884, 120 years ago. We have the scripture in Genesis 6:3 where Jehovah pronounced 120 years on mankind. But is there reason to connect this scripture and timing to the WTS? Probably not by itself. Seems there would have to be something else. Interestingly, though Jehovah made it clear that he had numbered the days of man because the earth was now ruined. You might make a case out that God's house is now ruined.

Ok, what about Hanukkah. Well that's an even more interesting connection. First Hanukkah is a celebration related to the desecration of the temple by Antiochus IV who on the 25th day of the ninth month168 B.C.E. sacrificed swine on the altar. He also took broth from that sacrifice and sprinkled it all over the temple, desecrating it totally. He also put a Hellenistic priest into the temple. If you consider the copper and iron elements that banded Nebuchadnezzar's tree, you realise these could be viewed as Democratic and Republican symbols. Democracy, of course is a Greek or Hellenistic term and Greece is the world power (third kingdom) associated with the copper part of Nebuchadnezzar's statue.

The connection then is to the democratic/republican elements that appear to have taken over the WTS preferring man's rule rather than God's. Especially since 7 October 2001 when the Governing Body resigned as directors of WTS, can it be said that these elements are constraining the organisation. Seven years from that date brings us to Atonement day 2008, which in turn may in fact be the end of 70 jubilees since entering into the promised land and the end of the 70 weeks spoken of by Daniel (see related items above right)

Interesting too that Hanukkah is a celebration on the 25th day of the 9th month in the Jewish calendar. The 24th day of the 9th month is significant in Haggai 2:10,14 - the people were unclean and what was presented was unclean. Also extremely significant is Haggai 2:18

"Set YOUR heart, please, [on this] from this day and forward, from the twenty-fourth [day] of the ninth [month], from the day that the foundation of the temple of Jehovah was laid..."

Is the 24th day of the ninth month significant this year? Will it be the day that that "foundation of the temple of Jehovah was laid". Does it commence the 3 1/2 years of trampling referred to in Rev 11:2? Is this the rebuilding of the temple in the straits of the times? (Dan 9:25)? Is this the going forth of the word to rebuild Jerusalem? (Dan 9:24)

Something else to consider in the lead up to this period. October 28 is a full moon but it is also a lunar eclipse (27-28 October). Interestingly the moon will appear orange red (maybe blood red). Are we heading into a mini-period somewhat like that mentioned in Joel 2:28-32? If so could there be a later full blown fulfillment of this?

Hmmm... questions, questions, questions - AND food for thought!