Contrary to the Society's teaching that the number of anointed JWs are becoming fewer as we draw closer to Armageddon, recent statistics prove just the opposite is occurring. Instead of the number decreasing from 1995 to 1996, it actually increased. In 1995, 8,617 people partook at the Memorial. One year later, in 1996, 8,757 partook. That's a healthy increase of 140 individuals. If the Society is correct, however, shouldn't the number be dropping instead of increasing? It would be interesting to see how the Society would explain this away.