Greetings,
It is easy to see the flaw in your reasoning if we were to ask the same question of the apostles: "The Apostles repeatedly wrote that Christ would immediately return. So would Christ ever choose that organization when on multiple occasions it preached a message that 'the due time has approached' and on one such occasion even sought to play down Jesus' words about no one knowing the day or hour by saying: ‘Be vigilant, the end of all things is near’ and that and ‘those alive then would not all die’?" (Lk.19:11; 24:21; Ac.1:6)
Statements by Paul and Peter clearly led Christians to believe that they would not die before the Lord returned:
In 50 CE Paul said that those living would not die till Christ's return and they would be caught away 1Th 4:15-18
In 55 CE Paul said they were living in the time of the end 1Co 10:11
In 55 CE Paul said those alive then would not all die but would instantly receive immortality, the last trumpet would sound and the resurrection would occur 1Co 15:51
In 61 and 62 CE the apostles repeatedly stated that the Lord's return was near Php 4:5; Jas 5:8
In 64 CE the apostle Peter said that "The end of all things is near" and that they were in the "end times" 1Pt.4:7; 1:20
In 96 CE the apostle John said all the things in Revelation was going to happen "soon" "because the time is near" Rev.1:1,3
In 98 CE the apostle John said it was "the last hour" 1Jn 2:18
Jesus didn't return and the end did not occur before ALL these died.
Clearly, criticisms of the JWs’ view of the eminent end would also condemn the Apostles!.
So we give the same answer the Apostles would give. They simply misapplied true prophecy because of a lack of knowledge. And Christ patiently allowed them to grow in knowledge.
Though what the first century Christians *expected* did not come true they cannot be accused of being "false prophets." Neither is there any validity in the accusation of JWs because of failed expectations.
If anything, our premature expectations fit the pattern of those earnest Apostles who wished for Christ's return.
Witnesses being chosen as God's organization has NEVER been based on infallibility or complete knowledge. It has always been based on facts from God's Word which identify the True Christian congregation.
Christ chose his Apostles before they came to a complete knowledge of accurate Scriptural teachings! They had to make many changes, even with doctrine, even after the pouring out of the Holy Spirit and institution of the Christian Congregation! Why didn't Christ wait before making the Christians his sole channel of communication?
Jesus didn't say you would identify the true religion because they never misunderstood prophesy. He said that you would discern the true Christian Organization from the false "by their fruits," or the results of their teaching (Mt.7:16,20).
Notice, Christians would identify "false prophets" BY THEIR FRUITAGE not by their infallibility. Now, who has the historical record of bloodthirsty wars and immorality?- (Mt.7:21-23, 2Tim3:5, Gal.5:19-23)
JW's have continued to bring their beliefs into agreement with Scripture. When they were wrong they were more than eager to admit it and change. This is in contrast to most other religions.
Theologian Charles G. Finney said: "The discovery of new truth will modify old views and opinions...Christian consistency implies continued investigation and change of views and practice corresponding with increasing knowledge."
Yours,
BAR-ANERGES
There are four points you fail to take into consideration:
1. The Bible writers didn’t use our dating system–they NEVER gave numerical “dates” in the future. So your demand for a “date” is specious. The fact remains that they STILL expected Christ’s return “soon!” So your argument is still destroyed.
2. There were MANY things the Apostles said that did NOT come true in 70 C.E.! Have you forgotten that Jesus’ end time statements in Mat 24-25 also applied to a future fulfilment?
3. You fail to note that EVEN AFTER the end of the Jewish system they still continued to preach Christ eminent return! (cf. John’s writings).
4. Your interpretation of Paul’s words as generic is solely driven by your presupposition. There is absolutely NOTHING in the context which would cause his hearers to think it did not pertain to their lifetime.
Even more, Paul himself had to modify his words in his second letter saying that they should not think “the Lords day is here.” Though his words still made it seem eminent (2Thes. 2). So I can see the doubters criticizing Paul because he had to change his tune when it didn’t happen immediately. Just like the Witnesses they “kept awake” and as time went on they adjusted their understanding.