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Belegsammlung · ausdrückliche Vorhersage, später neu gedeutet
The generation of 1914
Seit 1951 lehrten die Veröffentlichungen, das Ende werde noch zu Lebzeiten derer kommen, die 1914 erlebt hatten, und von den frühen 1980er-Jahren (so berichtet; offiziell erstmals 1993 zitiert) bis zum Oktober 1995 hieß es in der Zweckerklärung auf Seite 4 jeder Ausgabe von Erwachet!, die neue Welt werde kommen, „bevor die Generation vergeht, die die Ereignisse von 1914 miterlebt hat“. Diese Seite zeigt diesen Wortlaut, das Datum seiner Zurückziehung und die vier Definitionen von „Generation“, die darauf folgten.
Zuletzt geprüft am 19. September 2026
Was vorhergesagt wurde
The actual meaning of these words is, beyond question, that which takes a 'generation' in the ordinary sense, as at Mark 8:12 and Acts 13:36, or for those who are living at the given period.
If Jesus used 'generation' in that sense and we apply it to 1914, then the babies of that generation are now 70 years old or older. ... Jehovah's prophetic word through Christ Jesus is: 'This generation [of 1914] will by no means pass away until all things occur.' (Luke 21:32) And Jehovah ... will bring about the fulfillment of his Son's words in a relatively short time.
Before the last members of the generation that was alive in 1914 will have passed off the scene, all the things foretold will occur, including the 'great tribulation' in which the present wicked world will end.
1951 schrieb Der Wachtturm, 'this generation' in Matthäus 24:34 sei 'in the ordinary sense... for those who are living at the given period' zu verstehen, beginnend mit 1914, und die 'time of the end' umfasse 'a period of many years, those of a generation'. Source: The Watchtower, 1. Juli 1951
Die Position der Organisation oder ihre spätere Erklärung: 1995 überholt.
1. Juli 1951 · p.404 · par. 11 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“The actual meaning of these words is, beyond question, that which takes a 'generation' in the ordinary sense, as at Mark 8:12 and Acts 13:36, or for those who are living at the given period.”
Par. 1 says the 'time of the end' covers 'a period of many years, those of a generation' beginning A.D. 1914.
Der Titelartikel des Wachtturms vom 15. Mai 1984, '1914—The Generation That Will Not Pass Away', bezog die Generation auf die 1914 lebenden Menschen ('the babies of that generation are now 70 years old or older') und sagte, Jehova 'will bring about the fulfillment of his Son's words in a relatively short time'; Unterredungen anhand der Schriften (1985) sagte ebenso, alles Vorhergesagte werde geschehen, 'before the last members of the generation that was alive in 1914 will have passed off the scene'. Source: The Watchtower, 15. Mai 1984Source: Reasoning From the Scriptures (1985; 1989 revision on wol), 1985
Die Position der Organisation oder ihre spätere Erklärung: Der Wachtturm vom 1. November 1995, S. 17, stellt solche Berechnungen neu dar: 'Jehovah's people have at times speculated'.
15. Mai 1984 · pp.4-7 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“If Jesus used 'generation' in that sense and we apply it to 1914, then the babies of that generation are now 70 years old or older. ... Jehovah's prophetic word through Christ Jesus is: 'This generation [of 1914] will by no means pass away until all things occur.' (Luke 21:32) And Jehovah ... will bring about the fulfillment of his Son's words in a relatively short time.”
Cover-feature article; states the prophecies 'will be fulfilled within the life span of the generation of 1914'.
1985 · p.97 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“Before the last members of the generation that was alive in 1914 will have passed off the scene, all the things foretold will occur, including the 'great tribulation' in which the present wicked world will end.”
Under the question 'Then why is there still so much wickedness on earth?'; also glosses Matt. 24:34 as 'this generation [that was alive when "the sign" of "the last days" began its fulfillment]'.
Awake! page 4, 1982 (start date supported) to 1995; last issue opened 8 November 1994
‘… before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away’
The purpose of Awake! is stated clearly on page 4 of each issue: 'This magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.'
The statement of purpose was quoted in the organisation’s own Kingdom Ministry (1993) and in Awake! itself (1994).Source: Awake!, 8. November 1994
Awake! page 4, from 8 November 1995
‘… a new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things’
A brief review of what is stated on page 4 of each issue of Awake! ... 'Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things.'
The new wording is verified in the October 1996 Kingdom Ministry. The 8 November 1995 issue is not in the online library, so the exact date of the change is labelled ‘supported’.Source: Awake!, 8. November 1995
Bis in die frühen 1990er Jahre trug jede Ausgabe von Erwachet! auf Seite 4 die Aussage, die Zeitschrift 'builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away' — ein Satz, der in Unser Königreichsdienst (Oktober 1993) und in Erwachet! selbst (8. November 1994) wörtlich zitiert wird. Source: Our Kingdom Ministry, Oktober 1993Source: Awake!, 8. November 1994
Oktober 1993 · p.8 · par. 1 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“The purpose of Awake! is stated clearly on page 4 of each issue: 'This magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.'”
Official quotation of the Awake! page-4 statement of purpose as then printed.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for Our Kingdom Ministry, Using Our Magazines From House to House
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Opened on wol; page marker 8. The mastheads themselves are not reproduced on wol, so the start date (1982) is supported only.
8. November 1994 · pp.10-11 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“As indicated on page 4, 'this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.' No doubt many of our readers find that statement surprising.”
8. November 1995 · p.4 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“This magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things.”
Replaces the 1914-generation wording; the earliest wol occurrence of the new wording is Our Kingdom Ministry, October 1996, p. 1 (doc 201996363).
No online copy located.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for Awake!, Page 4 statement of purpose (masthead) — revised wording
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.The 8 Nov 1995 issue's page 4 is not on wol and no scan was opened; the change date rests on discovery sources (JWfacts, Watchman Fellowship, Wikipedia) that agree, plus the wol trail (old wording last quoted g94 11/8; new wording quoted km 10/96).
Notes.Publish as 'by late 1995 / first seen 8 Nov 1995 (per discovery sources)' unless a scan is obtained. The new wording itself is verified in km Oct 1996 p.1.
Abgerufen. 19. September 2026 · Quellenkennung.src-g-1995-1108-masthead-change
Oktober 1996 · p.1 · par. 4 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“A brief review of what is stated on page 4 of each issue of Awake! ... 'Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things.'”
Earliest wol occurrence of the revised Awake! statement of purpose; the 1914-generation wording was last quoted in Awake! 8 Nov 1994.
8. November 1994 · pp.10-11 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“As indicated on page 4, 'this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.' No doubt many of our readers find that statement surprising.”
How ‘this generation’ (Matthew 24:34) has been defined
When
Definition
Source
1951 to 1995
People alive in 1914, ‘in the ordinary sense’; ‘the babies of that generation are now 70 years old or older’ (1984); a new world ‘before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away’ (Awake! page 4, early 1980s to 1995).
‘Contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics’: the wicked of the present age, no longer tied to 1914 lifespans.
Jehovah's people have at times speculated about the time when the 'great tribulation' would break out, even tying this to calculations of what is the lifetime of a generation since 1914. ... Rather than provide a rule for measuring time, the term 'generation' as used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics.
He 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.
Am 1. November 1995 definierte Der Wachtturm 'this generation' neu als 'contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics' — die bösen Menschen der letzten Tage — und sagte, 'Jehovah's people have at times speculated' über die Lebensdauer einer Generation seit 1914. Source: The Watchtower, 1. November 1995
Die Position der Organisation oder ihre spätere Erklärung: Dargestellt als zunehmendes Licht, nicht als zurückgezogene Vorhersage.
1. November 1995 · pp.10-21 · second article, par. 6 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“Jehovah's people have at times speculated about the time when the 'great tribulation' would break out, even tying this to calculations of what is the lifetime of a generation since 1914. ... Rather than provide a rule for measuring time, the term 'generation' as used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics.”
Redefines 'this generation' as the wicked contemporaries of the last days; first article (doc 1995804) sets out the lexical argument.
Notes.Note the framing 'Jehovah's people have at times speculated' where the calculations were published by the organisation itself (w84 5/15; rs p.97).
Abgerufen. 19. September 2026 · Quellenkennung.src-w-1995-1101-p10-21-generation
Die Position der Organisation oder ihre spätere Erklärung: Der Artikel von 2010 stellt die Änderung dar als 'holy spirit... bringing Bible truths to light. (Prov. 4:18)'.
15. Februar 2008 · pp.23-24 · pars. 10-14 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“Previously, this journal has explained that ... 'this generation' mentioned at Matthew 24:34 meant 'the contemporaneous generation of unbelieving Jews.' ... So Jesus must have been referring to his disciples when he made the statement”
Second redefinition: the generation is the anointed who see the sign.
15. April 2010 · p.10 · par. 14 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“He 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.”
Introduces the 'overlapping generation'; also stated in the 15 June 2010 annual-meeting report (doc 2010446, p. 5).
15. Januar 2014 · pp.30-31 · pars. 15-16 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“We understand that in mentioning 'this generation,' Jesus was referring to two groups of anointed Christians. The first group was on hand in 1914 ... The second group ... were anointed with holy spirit during the time that those of the first group were still on earth. ... at least some of 'this generation will by no means pass away' before seeing the start of the great tribulation.”
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for JW Broadcasting (tv.jw.org), monthly programme, September 2015, Segment by Governing Body member David Splane explaining 'this generation' with a chart (F. W. Franz, 1893-1992, as anchor of the first group)
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.The jw.org video page is a JavaScript app and the mediator API returned no media for the 2015 key, so the programme could not be opened; described consistently by three discovery sources (JW Survey/JW Watch, AvoidJW, JWfacts). Note the task's 'annual meeting 2015' framing: sources place the chart in the September 2015 monthly programme.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for The Watchtower (original magazine printing), 'The Hand of Jehovah Was With Them'
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Comparison scan (magazine page and bound-volume page of w89 1/1 p. 12) opened and read as images by the independent source auditor on 19 September 2026: the magazine reads 'in our 20th century', the bound volume 'in our day'; both pages carry the footer '12 THE WATCHTOWER—JANUARY 1, 1989'. The scan is catalogued under a French title but reproduces the English page.
Herkunft des Scans.Internet Archive upload by Veillez.org: side-by-side scan of p. 12 in the magazine and in the bound volume. The PDF's OCR layer is empty, so the image was not machine-read in this session.
Hinweis zu Herkunft und Überprüfung for The Watchtower (bound volume / Watchtower Online Library text), 'The Hand of Jehovah Was With Them'
Hinweis zur Vertrauensangabe.Opened on wol; page marker 12; wording 'in our day' confirmed; a wol phrase search for 'completed in our 20th century' returns nothing.
“The light got brighter.” The organisation’s explanation, and it is quoted on the predictions overview. A definition that moved from ‘people alive in 1914’ to ‘the wicked’ to ‘the anointed’ to ‘two overlapping groups of anointed’ is a sequence of reversals, not a single direction of travel.Source: The Watchtower (Study Edition), 15. Februar 2008
“It was never a date.” It was a lifespan, printed with the year 1914 attached, and in 1984 made concrete: the babies of that generation were then ‘70 years old or older’.Source: The Watchtower, 15. Mai 1984
Vertrauensangabe. Jede Passage aus dem Wachtturm, aus Unser Königreichsdienst und aus dem Buch Unterredungen anhand der Schriften wurde in der Wachtturm-Online-Bibliothek gelesen. Drei Punkte sind als ‚gestützt‘ und nicht als bestätigt eingestuft und oben entsprechend gekennzeichnet: der Beginn des Wortlauts auf Seite 4 im Jahr 1982, die Änderung des Titelkopfs vom 8. November 1995 und die Sendung von 2015. Einstufung: ausdrückliche Vorhersage, später viermal neu gedeutet.
Auf dieser Seite zitierte Quellen
Show all 14 sources, in date order
Each opens a full record with links, provenance and a confidence note.
1. Juli 1951 · p.404 · par. 11 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“The actual meaning of these words is, beyond question, that which takes a 'generation' in the ordinary sense, as at Mark 8:12 and Acts 13:36, or for those who are living at the given period.”
15. Mai 1984 · pp.4-7 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“If Jesus used 'generation' in that sense and we apply it to 1914, then the babies of that generation are now 70 years old or older. ... Jehovah's prophetic word through Christ Jesus is: 'This generation [of 1914] will by no means pass away until all things occur.' (Luke 21:32) And Jehovah ... will bring about the fulfillment of his Son's words in a relatively short time.”
1985 · p.97 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“Before the last members of the generation that was alive in 1914 will have passed off the scene, all the things foretold will occur, including the 'great tribulation' in which the present wicked world will end.”
Oktober 1993 · p.8 · par. 1 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“The purpose of Awake! is stated clearly on page 4 of each issue: 'This magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.'”
8. November 1994 · pp.10-11 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“As indicated on page 4, 'this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.' No doubt many of our readers find that statement surprising.”
1. November 1995 · pp.10-21 · second article, par. 6 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“Jehovah's people have at times speculated about the time when the 'great tribulation' would break out, even tying this to calculations of what is the lifetime of a generation since 1914. ... Rather than provide a rule for measuring time, the term 'generation' as used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics.”
8. November 1995 · p.4 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“This magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things.”
Oktober 1996 · p.1 · par. 4 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“A brief review of what is stated on page 4 of each issue of Awake! ... 'Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things.'”
15. Februar 2008 · pp.23-24 · pars. 10-14 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“Previously, this journal has explained that ... 'this generation' mentioned at Matthew 24:34 meant 'the contemporaneous generation of unbelieving Jews.' ... So Jesus must have been referring to his disciples when he made the statement”
15. April 2010 · p.10 · par. 14 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“He 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.”
15. Januar 2014 · pp.30-31 · pars. 15-16 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York
“We understand that in mentioning 'this generation,' Jesus was referring to two groups of anointed Christians. The first group was on hand in 1914 ... The second group ... were anointed with holy spirit during the time that those of the first group were still on earth. ... at least some of 'this generation will by no means pass away' before seeing the start of the great tribulation.”