The Failed Prophecies of The
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
When you talk to a Jehovah's
Witness they will deny that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society claims to be
a prophet saying something like "we just try to interpret prophecy". Do
Jehovah's Witnesses set themselves up as prophets? Read this quote from the
April 1st 1972 Watchtower and judge for yourself.
Watchtower 4/1/1972 p197
However, Jehovah did not let the people of Christendom, as led by the
clergy, go without being warned that the League was a counterfeit substitute for
the real kingdom of God. He had a “prophet” to warn them. This “prophet” was not
one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep
followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students.
Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses. They are still
proclaiming a warning, and have been joined and assisted in their commissioned
work by hundreds of thousands of persons who have listened to their message with
belief.
Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a “prophet” of God. It is
another thing to prove it. The only way that this can be done is to review the
record. What does it show?
The purpose of this page is to
"review the record" by posting a list of the Watchtower Bible and Tract
Society's prophecies. As you read through this list you will notice that all of
the prophecies we have listed are prophecies that have failed, this is not
because we are bias but because not one of the Watchtower Bible and Tract
Society's prophecies has come to pass.
Watchtower December 1, 1991 p7
"A religion that teaches lies cannot be true."
Watchtower False Prophesies
What follows is an exhaustive list of failed
Watchtower prophecies. Few modern-day witnesses are aware of how adamantly such
dates were preached or how ardently such false hopes were nourished in the minds
and hearts of faithful Witnesses over the Watchtower's 120 year history.
Rendering this record of failed predictive
prophecy more blasphemous is the fact that the men who globally published such
things claim to be God's exclusive channel of communication to
mankind. Watchtower leaders have unblushingly dubbed themselves the "Ezekiel,"
"Jeremiah" and "John" class after the great inspired prophets of the Bible. In
so doing, however, they have exempted themselves from the accountability and
responsibility that accompany that prophetic office. They have beclouded the
simple bible teaching of Christian stewardship and have arrogated to themselves
the title of "The faithful and Discreet Slave" while categorizing all other
Christians as "the whore of Babylon."
Furthermore, Watchtower leaders have turned
against their own faithful by excommunicating sincere Jehovah's Witnesses who
have spoken out about the organization's checkered past or who out of a good
conscience toward God could not promulgate such fanciful speculation as "the
truth." The sheer volume of what follows should serve as a lesson to all
Christian leaders to be "faithful and discrete" in waiting on the Lord.
However the prophet who presumes to
speak in my name a word I have not commanded him to speak, that prophet must
die. In case you should say in your heart how shall we know a word that Jehovah
has not spoken? When the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does
not occur or come true that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With
presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened of him."
Deuteronomy 18:20-22
- 1877 'The End Of This World; that is the end of the
gospel and the beginning of the millennial age is nearer than most men
suppose; indeed we have already entered the transition period, which is to
be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation Dan. 12:3."
(N.H. Barbour and C.T. Russell, Three Worlds, and the Harvest of This World,
p. 17).
- 1879 "Christ came in the character of a Bridegroom in
1874.... at the beginning of the Gospel harvest." (Watchtower, Oct 1879, p.
4)
- 1880 "We need not here repeat the evidences that the
"seventh trump" began its sounding A.D., 1840, and will continue until the
end of the time of trouble, and the end of "The times of the Gentiles,"
A.D., 1914, and that it is the trouble of this "Great day," which is here
symbolically called the voice of the Archangel when he begins the
deliverance of fleshly Israel. "At that time shall Michael stand up, the
great prince (Archangel) which standeth for the children of thy people and
there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a
nation." Dan. xii. 1. Nor will we here, again present the conclusive Bible
proof that our Lord came for his Bride in 1874, and has an unseen work as
Reaper of the first-fruits of this Gospel Age. (Zion's Watchtower November,
1880 p. 1)
- 1886 "The outlook at the opening of the New Year has
some very encouraging features. The outward evidences are that the
marshaling of the hosts for the battle of the great day of God Almighty, is
in progress while the skirmishing is commencing. … The time is come for
Messiah to take the dominion of earth and to overthrow the oppressors and
corrupters of the earth, (Rev. 19:15 and 11:17, 18) preparatory to the
establishment of everlasting peace upon the only firm foundation of
righteousness and truth." (Zion's Watchtower, January, 1886;Watchtower
reprints I, p. 817)
- 1888 "In this chapter we present the Bible evidence
proving that the full end of the times of the gentiles, i.e., the full end
of their lease of dominion, will be reached in A.D. 1914; and that the date
will be the farthest limit of the rule of imperfect men. And be it observed,
that if this is shown to be a fact firmly established by the Scriptures, it
will prove; Firstly, that at that date the Kingdom of God, for which our
Lord taught us to pray, saying, Thy Kingdom come, will obtain full,
universal control, and that it will then be set up, or firmly established,
in the earth, on the ruins of present institutions." (The Time Is At Hand,
1888, p. 76, 77)
- 1889 "Be not surprised, then, when in subsequent
chapters we present proofs that the setting up of the Kingdom of God is
already begun, that it is pointed out in prophecy as due to begin the
exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the 'battle of the great day of God
Almighty (Rev. 16:14) which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete
overthrow of earth's present rulership, is already commenced. The gathering
of the armies is plainly visible from the standpoint of God's word."
(Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2, The Time Is At Hand, 1889 Ed., p. 101.
The 1915 Edition of this texts changed "A.D. 1914" to read 'A.D. 1915')
- 1889 "Here we furnish the evidence that from the
creation of Adam to (but not including) A.D. 1873 was six thousand years.
And though the Bible contains no direct statement that the seventh thousand
will be the epoch of Christ's reign, the great Sabbath Day of restitution to
the world, yet the venerable tradition is not without a reasonable
foundation." (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2, p. 39. 1889)
- 1889 "If, then, the seventh thousand-year period of
earth's history be an epoch specially noted as the period of Christ's reign,
we shall by showing that it began in 1873, be proving that we are already in
it." (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2, p. 40. 1889)
- 1889 "In the coming 26 years, all present governments
will be overthrown and dissolved." (C.T. Russell, Studies in the Scriptures,
Vol. 2, p. 98-99, 1889)
- 1889 "In this chapter we present the Bible evidence
which indicates that six thousand years from the creation of Adam were
complete with A.D. 1872; and hence that, since A.D. 1872 are chronologically
entered upon the seventh thousand or the Millennium." (Studies in the
Scriptures, Vol. 2, p. 33, 1889)
- 1889 "Remember that the forty years' Jewish Harvest
ended October A.D. 69, and was followed by the complete overthrow of that
nation; and that likewise the forty years of the Gospel age harvest will end
October, 1914, and that likewise the overthrow of 'Christendom,' so-called,
must be expected to immediately follow." (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 2,
p. 245)
- 1894 "Seventeen years ago people said, concerning the
time features presented in Millennial Dawn, They seem reasonable in many
respects, but surely no such radical changes could occur between now and the
close of 1914: if you had proved that they would come about in a century or
two, it would seem much more probable. What changes have since occurred, and
what velocity is gained daily? 'The old is quickly passing and the new is
coming in.' Now, in view of recent labor troubles and threatened anarchy,
our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914
date. They say that they do not see how present conditions can hold out so
long under the strain. We see no reason for changing the figures-nor could
we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God's dates, not ours. But
bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for
the end of the time of trouble." (Zion's Watchtower, Can It Be Delayed until
1914? C. T. Russell July 15, 1894, Also in Watchtower Reprints, l894 p.
1677)
- 1894 "A few more years will wind up the present order
of things, and then the chastened world will stand face to face with the
actual conditions of the established Kingdom of God. And yet the course of
the Church is to be finished within the space of time that intervenes."
(Watchtower p. 56, 1894)
- 1894 "We see no reason for changing the figures - nor
could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God's dates, not
ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the
beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble." (Watchtower July 15,
1894, p 266; p 1677 reprints)
- 1894 "We see no reason for changing the figures nor
could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God's dates, not
ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the
beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble." (Watchtower, July 15,
1894, Reprints p. 1677)
- 1897 "...this measurement is 3416 inches, symbolizing
3416 years.... This calculation shows A.D. 1874 as marking the beginning of
the period of trouble...." (Russell, Studies in the Scriptures: Thy Kingdom
Come, Series III, p. 342, 1897 edition [1916 edition changed to read: "We
find it to be 3457 inches, symbolizing 3457 years.... Thus the Pyramid
witnesses that the close of 1914 will be the beginning of the time of
trouble...."] note: the measurement was the length of an interior passageway
discovered inside the Pyramids. It has no reference in Scripture.)
- 1897 "Complete destruction of the 'powers that be' of
'this present evil worlds - political, financial, ecclesiastical - about the
close of the Time of the Gentiles; October A.D. 1914." (C.T. Russell,
Studies in the Scriptures, IV, p. 622, 1897)
- 1897 "Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present,
since October 1874, A.D....and the formal inauguration of his kingly office
dates from April 1878, A.D." (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol.4, p.621, 1897)
- 1897 "The distillery, the brewery, the saloon, the
brothel, the pool-room, all time-killing and character-depraving business
will be stopped; and their servants will be given something to do that will
be beneficial to themselves and others. "Similarly, the building of
war-vessels, the manufacture of munitions of war and defense will cease, and
armies will be disbanded. The new Kingdom will have no need of these, but
will have abundant power to execute summary justice in the punishment of
evil doers... "The banking and brokerage business, and other like
employment's, very useful under present conditions, will no longer have a
place; for under the new conditions the human race will be required to treat
each others as members of one family, and private capital and money to loan
and to be needed will be things of the past. Landlords and renting agencies
will find new employment also, because the new King will not recognize as
valid patents and deeds now on record. "...namely, that with present
conveniences, if the whole people were put to work systematically and
wisely, not more than three hours labor for each individual would be
necessary." (Studies, Vol. IV, pp. 633-635, 1897)
- 1902 "In view of this strong Bible evidence
concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth
that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment
of the kingdom of God, will be accomplished by the end of A.D. 1914." (The
Time Is At Hand, 1902 edition, p. 99)
- 1903 "When Uranus and Jupiter meet in the humane sign
of Aquarius in 1914, the long-promised era will have made a fair start in
the work of setting man free to work out his own salvation, and will insure
the ultimate realization of dreams and ideals of all poets and sages in
history." (Watchtower, May 1, 1903, p. 130-131; p3184 Reprints)
- 1904 "According to our expectations the stress of the
great time of trouble will be on us soon, somewhere between 1910 and 1912,
culminating with the end of the 'Times of the Gentiles,' October, 1914."
(The New Creation, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 6, p. 579, 1904)
- 1908 "In view of this strong Bible evidence
concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth
that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment
of the Kingdom of God, will be accomplished at the end of A. D. 1914." (The
Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1908 ed.; p. 99)
- 1908 "True, it is expecting great things to claim, as
we do, that within the coming twenty-six years all present governments will
be overthrown and dissolved" (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1908 ed.; p. 99)
- 1914 "Even if the time of our change should not come
within ten years, what more should we ask? Are we not a blessed, happy
people? Is not our God faithful? If anyone knows anything better, let him
take it. If any of you ever find anything better, we hope you will tell us."
(Watchtower, Dec 15, 1914, p. 376.)
- 1914 "Studying God's Word, we have measured the 2520
years, the seven symbolic times, from that year 606 B.C. and have found that
it reached down to October, 1914, as nearly as we were able to reckon. We
did not say positively that this would be the year." (Watchtower, November
1, 1914, p. 325)
- 1914 "While it's possible that Armageddon may begin
next Spring, yet this purely speculation to attempt to say just when. We
see, however, that there are parallels between the close of the Jewish age
and this Gospel age. These parallels seem to point to the year just before
us part particularly the early months." (Watchtower Reprints, VI, Sept 1,
1914, p. 5527)
- 1914 "There is absolutely no ground for Bible
students to question that the consummation of this Gospel age is now even at
the door, and that it will end as the Scriptures foretell in a great time of
trouble such as never was since there was a nation. We see the participants
in this great crisis banding themselves together… The great crisis, the
great clash, symbolically represented as a fire, that will consume the
ecclesiastical heavens and the social earth, is very near." (Watchtower
Reprints, VI, May 1, 1914, p. 5450)
- 1915 "The present great war in Europe is the
beginning of the Armageddon of the Scriptures Rev 19:16-20). It will
eventuate in the complete overthrow of all the systems of error which have
so long oppressed the people of God and deluded the world. We believe the
present war cannot last much longer until revolutions shall break out" (C.T.
Russell, Pastor Russell's Sermons, p. 676, Sometime during World War I)
- 1915 Here we furnish the evidence that from the
creation of Adam to A.D. 1873 was six thousand years. And though the Bible
contains no direct statement that the seventh thousand will be the epoch of
Christ's reign, the great Sabbath Day of restitution to the world, yet the
venerable tradition is not without reasonable foundation. (The Time Is At
Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 39)
- 1915 If, then, the seventh thousand-year period of
earth's history be an epoch specially noted as the period of Christ's reign,
we shall, by showing that it began in A.D. 1873, be proving that we are
already in it. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 40)
- 1915 Firstly, that at that date [1914] the Kingdom of
God, for which our Lord taught us to pray, saying, "Thy Kingdom come," will
begin to assume control, and that it will then shortly be "set up," or
firmly established, in the earth, on the ruins of present institutions. (The
Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 77)
- 1915 "In view of this strong Bible evidence
concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth
that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment
of the kingdom of God, will be accomplished near the end of A.D. 1915. (The
Time Is At Hand, 1915 edition, p. 99)
- 1915 "Be not surprised, then, when in subsequent
chapters we present proofs that the setting up of the Kingdom of God is
already begun, that it is pointed out in prophecy as due to begin the
exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the 'battle of the great day of God
Almighty' (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1915, with the complete
overthrow of the earth's present rulership, is already commenced." (The Time
Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 101)
- 1915 "As in the type that date - three and a half
years after the death of Christ - marked the end of all special favor to the
Jew and the beginning of favor to the Gentiles, so we recognize A.D. 1881 as
marking the close of the 'high calling,' or invitation to the blessing
peculiar to this age - to become joint-heirs with Christ and partakers of
the divine nature." (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 235)
- 1915 So it was in this harvest also up to A.D. 1878
the time prophecies and the fact of the Lord's presence, substantially as
here presented, though less clearly, was our message. Since then the work
has widened, and the view of other truths has become brighter and clearer;
but the same fact and scriptures, teaching the same time and presence, stand
unchallenged and incontrovertible. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p.
236)
- 1915 The Gentile Times prove that the present
governments must all be overturned about the close of A.D. 1915; and
Parallelism above shows that this period corresponds exactly with the year
A.D. 70, which witnessed the completion of the downfall of the Jewish
polity. (The Time Is At Hand, 1915 edition, p. 242)
- 1915 We are already living in the seventh millennium
- since October 1872. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 363)
- 1915 The Battle of Armageddon, to which this war is
leading, will be a great contest between right and wrong, and will signify
the complete and everlasting overthrow of the wrong, and the permanent
establishment of Messiah's righteous kingdom for the blessing of the world.
… Our sympathies are broad enough to cover all engaged in the dreadful
strife, as our hope is broad enough and deep enough to include all in the
great blessings which our Master and his Millennial kingdom are about to
bring to the world. (Watchtower Reprints, VI, April 1, 1915, p. 5659)
- 1915 To our understanding the general call to this
joint heirship with our Redeemer as members of the New Creation of God,
ceased in 1881. (The New Creation; 1899; 1915 ed.; p. 95)
- 1916 "The Bible chronology herein presented shows
that the six great 1000 year days beginning with Adam are ended, and that
the great 7th Day, the 1000 years of Christ's Reign, began in 1873." (The
Time Is At Hand, Foreword, p 2, 1916)
- 1916 We see no reason for doubting, therefore, that
the Times of the Gentiles ended in October, 1914; and that a few more years
will witness their utter collapse and the full establishment of God's
kingdom in the hands of Messiah." (Watchtower Reprints, VI, Sept 1, 1916, p.
5950)
- 1917 'There will be no slip-up...Abraham should enter
upon the actual possession of his promised inheritance in the year 1925'
(Watchtower Oct. 15, 1917, p. 6157)
- 1917 The Spring of 1918 will bring upon Christendom a
spasm of anguish greater even than that experienced in the Fall of 1914....
The travail that is coming is to be upon nominal Zion- "Christendom" …
"Babylon"; and it will be a great and sore affliction- "A Time of Trouble
such as was not since there was a nation." (The Finished Mystery p. 62
[stated to be the "Posthumous Work of Pastor Russell" on p. 2])
- 1917 'No doubt Satan believed the Millennial Kingdom
was due to be set-up in 1915...Be that as it may, there is evidence that the
establishment of the Kingdom in Palestine will probably be in 1925, ten
years later than we once calculated.' (Studies In The Scriptures, Vol 7, The
Finished Mystery, p. 128)
- 1917 Some interesting developments in connection with
the setting up of the Kingdom may occur in 1920, six years after the great
Time of Trouble began. It would not be strange if this were so, when we
recall that after forty years wandering in the wilderness the Israelites
came into possession of the land of Canaan after a further six years. As
these matters are still future we can but wait to see. We anticipate that
the "earthquake" will occur early in 1918, and that the "fire" will come in
the fall of 1920. [The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 178, Comments on
Revelation 11:13. [The 1926 ed. reads: "and that the 'fire' will follow in
due course."])
- 1917 "And the mountains were not found. Even the
republics will disappear in the fall of 1920. And the mountains were not
found. Every kingdom of earth will pass away, be swallowed up in anarchy."
(The Finished Mystery, 1917 edition, p. 258)
- 1917 Pastor Russell's mission, in large part, was to
advise Christendom of its impending end, in the time of world-wide trouble.
It is the Divine judgment upon the nations. … There will be no chance of
escaping from destruction, through the nations. … The trouble is due to the
dawning of the Day of Christ, the Millennium. It is the Day of Vengeance,
which began in the world war of 1914 and which will break like a furious
morning storm in 1918." (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 404)
- 1917 "Until 1878 the nominal church had been in a
sense God's sanctuary or temple; but He was from then on, culminating in
1918, to remove it with a stroke or plague of erroneous doctrines and deeds
Divinely permitted. The Church was the strength of Christendom, that about
which its life centered, and around which its institutions were built. It
was the desire of the eyes of the people, that which all Christians loved.
Nevertheless, God was to make manifest the profanation which ecclesiasticism
had made of the Christian Church, and to cause the church organizations to
become to Him as one dead, an unclean thing, not to be touched, or mourned.
And the 'children of the church' shall perish by the sword of war,
revolution and anarchy, and by the Sword of the Spirit be made to see that
they have lost their hope of life on the spirit plane -- that 'the door is
shut."' (Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 7, 1917 p. 484.)
- 1917 Also, in the year 1918, when God destroys the
churches wholesale and the church members by million, it shall be that any
that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russell to learn the meaning
of the downfall of Christianity. (The Finished Mystery, 1917 edition, p.
485)
- 1917 As the fleshly-minded apostates from
Christianity, siding with the radicals and revolutionaries, will rejoice at
the inheritance of desolation that will be Christendom's after 1918, so will
God do to the successful revolutionary movement; it shall be utterly
desolated, "even all of it." Not one vestige of it shall survive the ravages
of world-wide all embracing anarchy, in the fall of 1920. (Rev. II: 7-13)
(The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 542, [The 1926 ed. reads: "in the end of the
time of trouble."])
- 1917 This vision of the prophet Ezekiel depicts the
established theocratic Kingdom of God on earth, civil and religious,
spiritual and earthly. . . . The Temple . . . is a type and symbol of
"better things to come," after the wars, revolutions and anarchy of the
period from 1914 to 1925 have passed. (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 569
[The 1926 ed. reads: "of the time of trouble have passed."])
- 1918 "Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925
will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of
old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition
of human perfection." (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p. 89)
- 1920 '...we may expect 1925 to witness the return of
these faithful men of Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected'
(Millions Now Living Will Never Die, 1920, p. 88)
- 1920 '...we may expect 1925 to witness the return of
these faithful men of Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected'
(Millions Now Living Will Never Die, 1920, p. 88)
- 1920 "A simple calculation of these jubilees brings
us to this important fact: Seventy jubilees of fifty years each would be a
total of 3500 years. That period of time beginning 1575 before A.D. 1 of
necessity would end in the fall of 1925, at which time the type ends and the
great antitype must begin. What, then, should we expect to take palace? In
the type there must be a full restoration; beginning of restoration of all
things. The chief thing to be restored is the human race to life; and since
other Scriptures definitely fix the fact that there will be a resurrection
of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and other faithful ones of old, and that these will
have the first favor, we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these
faithful men and Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected and
fully restored to perfect humanity and made the visible, legal
representatives of the new order of things on earth. (Millions now living
will never die, 1920 p 89-90)
- 1920 'Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925
will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of
old' (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, 1920, p. 89-90)
- 1920 "Based upon the argument heretofore set forth,
then, that the old order of things, the old world, is ending and is
therefore passing away, and that the new order is coming in, and that 1925
shall mark the resurrection of the faithful worthies of old and the
beginning of reconstruction, it is reasonable to conclude that millions of
people now on the earth will be still on the earth in 1925. Then, based upon
the promises set forth in the divine Word, we must reach the positive and
indisputable conclusion that millions now living will never die." (Millions
Now Living Will Never Die. 1920 p. 97)
- 1921 "'The time of the end' embraces a period from
1799 A.D., as above indicated, to the time of the complete overthrow of
Satan's empire and the establishment of the kingdom of the Messiah. The time
of the Lord's second presence dates from 1874, as above stated. The latter
period is within the first named, of course, and in the latter part of the
period known as "the time of the end." (The Harp of God, 1921 p. 236)
- 1921 "In Biblical symbology a time means a year of
twelve months of thirty days each, or 360 days. Each day is considered for a
year... Here are mentioned, then, three and a half times of 360 prophetic
days each, or a total of 1260 prophetic days, equal to 1260 years. The
Prophet then was shown that 1260 years would mark the beginning of the time
of the end of this beastly order. Twelve-hundred sixty years from A.D. 539
brings us to 1799 -- another proof that 1799 marks the beginning of the
'time of the end.' This also shows that it is from the date 539 A.D. that
the other prophetic days of Daniel must be counted." … "The most important
thing to which all the prophecies point and for which the apostles looked
forward has been the second coming of the Lord. It is described by the
Prophet as a blessed time. Daniel then says: 'Blessed is he that waiteth,
and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.' (Daniel
12:12). The watchers here, without question are those who were instructed by
the Lord to watch for his return. This date, therefore, when understood,
would certainly fix the time when the Lord is due at his second appearing.
Applying the same rule, then, of a day for a year, 1335 days after 539 A.D.
brings us to A.D. 1874, at which time, according to Biblical chronology, the
Lord's second presence is due. If this calculation is correct, from that
time forward we ought to be able to find some evidences marking the Lord's
presence." (Harp of God, 1921, pp. 229-230.)
- 1921 "The natural harvest was used by the Lord to
illustrate his harvest of Christians. In the Jewish natural harvest it was
customary to glean the field after the regular harvest was over. We should
therefore expect to find a harvest period from 1878 to 1918, and thereafter
for a time a gleaning work to be done, which we will indicate. The question
now is, Do we find a period of harvest in the gospel age after 1874 which
serves as a fulfillment of the prophecy of the Lord?" (Studies in the
Scriptures, Volume 7 1921, p. 236.)
- 1921 "The same year, 1881, is prophetically marked as
the time for the final withdrawal of favor from the churches, a favor which
had begun to be withdrawn in 1878 -- the year in which the clergy were cast
off as representatives of the Divine Word, and when Pastor Russell began his
work by the publication of 50,000 copies of Object and Manner of the Lord's
Return. In 1878 the stewardship of the things of God, the teaching of Bible
truths, was taken from the clergy, unfaithful to their age long stewardship,
and given to Pastor Russell. In the interim, until 1881, the new steward was
setting the things in order, getting the truths of the Bible in logical and
Scriptural form for presentation, until the last great item of the Hebrew
tabernacle types, was ready. Then, in 1881, he became God's watchman for all
Christendom, and began his gigantic work of Witness." (Studies in the
Scriptures, Vol. 7, pp. 386-387 1921)
- 1921 "The Scriptures disclose a complete parallel
concerning the Jewish and gospel ages. The parallel exists with reference to
time as well as events. The Jewish age ended with a harvest, which harvest
began with the ascension of our Lord in the year A.D. 33. By the term
'harvest' here used is meant the gathering of the remnant of the Jews to
Christ. Jesus' statement plainly is that the gospel age will end with a
harvest, during which time he would be present, directing the work of that
harvest. In the earth three and a half years from the time of his
consecration and baptism, Jesus was preparing the Jews for the harvest of
that age. We should expect to find a parallel of this reference to the
harvest of the gospel age, and we do find it. Counting three and a half
years from 1874, the time of his presence, brings us to 1878. During the
presence of the Lord from 1874 to 1878 he was making preparation for the
harvest of the gospel age. The Jewish harvest covered a period of forty
years, ending in A.D. 73. We should expect, then, the general harvest of the
gospel age to end in 1918." (Harp of God, 1921, pp. 235-236, 1921)
- 1922 "The period must end in 1925. The type ending,
the antitype must begin; and therefore 1925 is definitely fixed in the
scriptures. every thinking person can see that a great climax is at hand.
The Scriptures clearly indicate that the climax is the fall of Satan's
empire and the full establishment of the Messianic kingdom. This climax
being reached by 1925, and that marking the beginning of the fulfillment of
the long promised blessings of life to the people, millions now living on
earth will be living then and those who obey the righteous laws of the new
arrangement will live forever. Therefore it can be confidently said at this
time that millions now living will never die." (Golden Age, Jan. 4, 1922, p.
217)
- 1922 "The indisputable facts, therefore, show that
the "time of the end" began in 1799; that the Lord's second presence began
in 1874." (The Watchtower, March 1, 1922)
- 1922 "We have no doubt whatever in regard to the
chronology relating to the dates of 1874, 1914, 1918, and 1925. It was on
this line of reckoning that the dates 1874, 1914, and 1918 were located; and
the Lord has placed the stamp of his seal upon 1914 and 1918 beyond any
possibility of erasure. What further evidence do we need? Using this same
measuring line.... it is an easy matter to locate 1925, probably in the
fall, for the beginning of the antitypical jubilee. There can be no more
question about 1925 than there was about 1914." (Watchtower, p. 150, May 15,
1922)
- 1922 "It is on the basis of such and so many
correspondencies -- in accordance with the soundest laws known to science-
that we affirm that, Scripturally, scientifically, and historically,
present-truth chronology is correct beyond a doubt. Its reliability has been
abundantly confirmed by the dates and events of 1874, 1914, and 1918.
Present-truth chronology is a secure basis on which the consecrated child of
God may endeavor to search out things to come." (Watchtower, June 15 1922)
- 1922 "This chronology is not of man, but of God.
Being of divine origin and divinely corroborated, present-truth chronology
stands in a class by itself, absolutely and unqualifiedly correct...."
(Watchtower, July 15, 1922 p. 217)
- 1922 '1914 ended the Gentile Times...The date 1925 is
even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures...by then the great crisis
will be reached and probably passed' (Watchtower Sept. 1, 1922, p. 262)
- 1923 '1925 is definitely settled by the
Scriptures...the Christian has much more upon which to base his faith than
Noah had (so far as the Scriptures reveal) upon which to base his faith in
the coming deluge' (Watchtower April 1, 1923, p. 106)
- 1923 "Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled
by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to
base his faith than Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming
deluge." (Watchtower, p. 106, March 1, 1923)
- 1924 "No doubt many boys and girls who read this book
will live to see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, and those other men
of old come forth in the glory of their better resurrection, of perfect in
mind and body. It will not take long for Christ to appoint them to their
post of honor and authority as his earthly representatives. The world and
all the present conveniences will seen strange to them at first, but they
will soon become accustomed to the new methods. They may have some amusing
experiences at first; for they never saw telephones, radios, automobiles,
electric lights, aeroplanes, steam engines, and many other things so
familiar to us. (The Way To Paradise, 1924, p. 226)
- 1924 "Surely there is not the slightest room for
doubt in the mind of a truly consecrated child of God that the Lord Jesus is
present and has been since 1874." (Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1924, p5)
- 1924 "The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly
marked in Scriptures, even more clearly than that of 1914. (Watchtower 1924,
p. 211)
- 1924 "We cannot be blamed for presenting from the
Scriptures such evidence as they afford which leads us to believe that a
certain event will take place at a given time. Some times the Lord has let
His people looking for the right thing at the wrong time, and more
frequently they have looked for the wrong things at the right time. But all
the enemies of the cause of present truth in the earth are fervently hoping
that the Bible students will not be so successful in 1925 in looking for the
right thing at the right time as they were in 1914. if they are, however, it
will be the other fellow that will have to do the explaining, and not we."
(The Golden Age, Feb. 13, 1924, p. 314)
- 1925 "It is to be expected that Satan will try to
inject into the minds of the consecrated, the thought that 1925 should see
an end to the work." (Watchtower, Sept. 1925, p. 262)
- 1925 "The difficulty was that the friends inflated
their imaginations beyond reason; and that when their imaginations burst
asunder, they were inclined to throw away everything." (Watchtower 1925, p.
56)
- 1925 "The year 1925 is here. With great expectation
Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected
that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory
during this year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due
time God will accomplish his purposes concerning his people. Christians
should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire this year."
(Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1925, p. 3)
- 1926 "Some anticipated that the work would end in
1925, but the Lord did not state so. The difficulty was that the friends
inflated their imaginations beyond reason; and that when their imaginations
burst asunder, they were inclined to throw away everything." (Watchtower
1926 p. 232.)
- 1927 The Scriptural proof is that the period of his
presence and the day of God's preparation is a period from 1874 A.D.
forward. The second coming of the Lord, therefore, began in 1874; and that
date and the years 1914 and 1918 are specially marked dates with reference
to his coming. (Creation; 1927; p. 289 early editions, p310 later editions)
- 1927 Prophecy can not be understood until it has been
fulfilled or is in the course of fulfillment. From 1874 to 1914 the prophecy
concerning the Lord's coming was being fulfilled and could be understood,
and was understood, by those who were faithful to the Lord and who were
watching the development of events, but not by others. (Creation; 1927; p.
290)
- 1927 "Napoleon began this Egyptian campaign in 1798,
finished it, and then returned to France on October 1, 1799. The campaign is
briefly , yet graphically described in the prophecy, verses 40-44; and its
being completed in 1799 marks, according to the prophet's own words, the
beginning of "the time of the end." (Creation; 1927; p. 293)
- 1927 "Twelve hundred and sixty years from 539 A.D.
brings us to 1799, which is another proof that 1799 definitely marks the
beginning of "the time of the end." this also shows that it is from the date
539 A.D. that the other prophetic days of Daniel must be counted."
(Creation; 1927, p. 294)
- 1927 Applying the same rule then, of a day for a
year, 1335 days after 539 A.D. brings us to 1874 A.D. at which time,
according to Biblical chronology, the Lord's second presence was due.
(Creation; 1927; p. 298)
- 1928 "The time of the Lord's second presence dates
from 1874, as above stated." (The Harp of God p. 236, 1928 edition!)
- 1929 "Both the grantor and the grantee are fully
persuaded from the Bible testimony which is the word of Jehovah God and from
extraneous evidence that God's Kingdom is now in the course of establishment
and that it will result beneficially for the peoples of earth; that the
governing power and authority will be invisible to men but that the kingdom
of God will have visible representatives on the earth who will have charge
of the affairs of the nations under supervision of the invisible ruler,
Christ. That among those who will be thus the faithful representatives and
visible governors of the world will be David, who was once King over Israel;
and Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jepthai, and Joseph, formerly ruler
of Egypt, and Samuel the prophet and other faithful men named with approval
in the Bible at Hebrews 11th. chapter." (Original legal deed to Beth Sarim,
Rutherford, 1929)
- 1929 'If these prophesies have not been fulfilled,
and if all possibility of fulfilment is past, then these prophets are proven
false.' (Prophecy, 1929, p 22)
- 1929 "The Scriptural proof is that the second
presence of the Lord Jesus Christ began in 1874 A.D." (Prophecy, 1929, p.
65)
- 1929 Many of such had been looking for the Lord to
come and take them to heaven, and had particularly fixed the year 1914 as
when this should be done. The year 1914 was a marked date; but these had
merely contemplated something to happen which did not come to pass.
(Prophecy; 1929; 1,589,000 ed.; p. 89)
- 1930 "But how will you identify King David or any of
the other representatives from God?' Rutherford was asked. 'I thought all
that out before I wrote the deed,' the judge replied with a twinkle in his
gray eyes. 'I realized the possibility of some old codger turning up bright
and early some morning and declaring he was David. The men whom I have
designated to test the identity of these men are officers of my societies
and have consecrated themselves to the Lord, they will be divinely
authorized to know impostors from the real princes."' (The San Diego Sun,
Saturday, March 15, 1930)
- 1930 Judge Joseph Frederick Rutherford 60, lives in a
ten room Spanish mansion, No 4440 Braeburn Rd, San Diego, Calif. Last week
he deeded No 4440 Braeburn Road, and adjacent two car garage and a pair of
automobiles to King David, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, Samuel and
sundry other mighties of ancient Palestine. Positive is he that they are
shortly to reappear on earth, Said he: 'I have purposely landscaped the
place with palm and olive trees so that these princes of the universe will
feel at home.. (Time Magazine, March 31, 1930)
- 1930 "The Watchtower, and its companion publications
of the society, for forty years emphasized that fact that 1914 would witness
the establishment of God's kingdom and the complete glorification of the
church. During that period of forty years God's people on earth were
carrying on a witness work, which work was foreshadowed by Elijah and John
the Baptist. all of the lords people looked forward to 1914 with joyful
expectation. when that time came and passed there was much disappointment,
chagrin and mourning, and the lords people were greatly in reproach. they
were ridiculed by the clergy and their allies in particular, and pointed to
with scorn, because they had said so much about 1914, and what would come to
pass, and their prophecies had not been fulfilled. (Light, Book 1, 1930, p.
194)
- 1930 "The great climax is at hand. The kings of earth
now set themselves against his anointed Stone." (J.F. Rutherford, Light, II,
1930 p. 327)
- 1931 "God's faithful people on earth emphasized the
importance of the dates 1914 and 1918 and 1925. They had much to say about
these dates and what would come to pass, but all they predicted did not come
to pass." (Vindication, vol. 1, 1931, p. 146)
- 1931 "God's kingdom has begun to operate. His day of
vengeance is here and Armageddon is at hand and certain to fall upon
Christendom and that within an early date. God's judgment is upon
Christendom and must shortly be executed." (J. F. Rutherford, Vindication,
Vol. I, p. 147, 1931)
- 1931 "There was a measure of disappointment on the
part of Jehovah's faithful ones on earth concerning the years 1914, 1918 and
1925, which disappointment lasted for a time. Later the faithful learned
that these dates were definitely fixed in the Scriptures; and they also
learned to quit fixing dates for the future and predicting what would come
to pass on a certain date, but to rely (and they do rely) upon the Word of
God as to the events that must come to pass. (J. F. Rutherford, Vindication,
1931, p. 338-339)
- 1931 A gaunt unshaven tramp has been the lone
claimant for the $75,000 Southern Californian mansion of David, king of
Israel, since it was deeded to the Biblical character a year ago. This was
revealed today by Judge James Rutherford, temporary owner of the luxuriantly
furnished Spanish type mansion at 440 Braeburn Rd in the exclusive
Kensington Heights district. In one of the oddest deeds ever recorded,
Rutherford, president of the International Bible Students Association and
the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, has placed in trust the magnificent
estate for ancient kings and prophets of Israel The slayer of Goliath and
his companions may occupy the 10 room modern home with it's landscaped
gardens and patio as soon as their credentials are approved by Rutherford
and officials of his societies, divinely authorised to recognise them. One
morning as I was going from the house to the garage, a looking creature
approached me, tipped his dirty hat and cried 'Howdy Judge, I'm David' 'Go
and tell that to the winds', I told him and he left without arguing the
matter. I could see at a glance that he was not David. He didn't look like I
knew David would look.' Asked how he expected David and his distinguished
brethren to look, Rutherford, without hesitation, opened his huge Bible and
pointed to a verse which said that the Princes of the Universe would be
risen from the dead 'as perfect men'. 'I interpret that to mean', the tall
dignified Judge declared, 'that David, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthae,
Joseph and Samuel will be sent here to wrench the world from Satan's grasp,
clothed in modern garb as we are, and able, with little effort, to speak our
tongue.' Rutherford pictured the arrival of the biblical delegation perhaps
in frock coats, high hats, canes and spats. At Beth Sarim (House of Princes)
as Rutherford has named his mansion, David will find the most modern
appliances that science has devised. When the distinguished guests walk up
the circular stairway to the second floor, they will find a large office
with red leather chairs and shiny flat topped desk with inverted lighting.
Even French telephones await the touch of the princes. Opening a wide door,
the native sons of Palestine will behold a large bathroom, resplendent in
shiny black tile with needle shower and an amply filled medicine chest. What
a thrill giant shouldered Samson, who wrecked a palace with his bare fists
might find in the gold safety razor and strop! Rutherford built the second
floor bedroom, which he temporarily occupies, large in order to accommodate
several of the expected owners. With wide pane windows that look out on the
purple Cuyamacas to the East and California's first mission to the north,
the bedroom is almost severe in it's furnishings. The rulers of the universe
will have simple tastes, the judge apparently believes, although the austere
end tables sported gaily covered fiction magazines. Rutherford has imported
some Koniach, Wasser from Cologne, Germany to freshen the princely faces
after shaving. A black skull cap hangs over one of the bedposts. The coming
of David and his companions will be the greatest news story of the ages,
Rutherford predicted. 'I am not a publicity seeker,' Rutherford said with a
twinkle in his kindly brown eyes, 'but I feel that the world should know
about their arrival. It will be a great news story.' Word of his 'House of
king David' has reached into every corner of the world, the judge stated.
'Everywhere I went people asked me about this place,' Rutherford said. 'In
Chicago a millionaire manufacturer offered to build another house for David,
but I declined the offer. 'Literally thousands have driven here to see this
place,' Rutherford continued. 'Many have come to the door and my secretary
has shown them about the place.' The patio with it's silver pool and olive
and palm trees is gay with flowers. Down toward the canyon, paths have been
landscaped to allow David and his friends to walk in meditation. Many of the
fruits and trees, native to their Palestine, will greet the rulers when they
arrive. In the two car garage next door stands a new, yellow 16 cylinder
coupe which will be turned over to the rulers along with all the personal
property on the place. 'Everything will be theirs, the house, the land, the
furnishings and even the clothes if they need them,' Judge Rutherford said.
'What will I do? Oh, don't worry about me. I'll manage somehow.' the judge
smiled. He had another 'Watch Tower' residence on Staten Island and
practically an entire floor at Bethel. The seven famous men will not have
long to rest at their San Deigo estate because they soon will lead the
forces of the Lord to vanquish the minions of Satan at the battle of
Armageddon, Rutherford believed. 'But they will win out. The Lord will
punish the devil and will show that the preachers and the politicians have
been giving the people false counsel,' Rutherford said confidently.
Rutherford will sail May 9 for Europe where he will speak before conventions
in Berlin Paris and London. (San Deigo Sun Newspaper report, Jan. 9, 1931)
- 1935 "...the scriptural evidence and the physical
facts strongly indicate that such witness work is now almost done; and when
it is done the universal war will begin. Universal war is absolutely certain
to come and that soon, and no power can stop it. ...during the few remaining
months until the breaking of that universal cataclysm the powers that rule
the nations of the earth will continue to make treaties and tell the people
that by such means they will keep that world peace and bring about
prosperity. (Universal War Near, 1935, p. 3, 26-27)
- 1938 "...mark the words of Jesus, which definitely
seem to discourage the bearing of children immediately before or during
Armageddon....It would therefore appear that there is no reasonable or
scriptural injunction to bring children into the world immediately before
Armageddon, where we now are." (Watchtower, Nov. 1, 1938, p. 324)
- 1938 "They had preached that in an early time God
would overthrow "Christendom". Many had emphasized the year 1925 as the
date, and then when that date did not materialize the date was moved up to
1932. Again, 1932 came and ''Christendom'' was not destroyed, and now it was
discovered that "Christendom" would be spared for a while longer for the
sake of the Jonadab class, and this made the proud "elective elder" crowd
very mad." (Watchtower Feb. 15, 1938 p. 54)
- 1938 "Would it be scripturally proper for them to
marry and begin to rear children? No, is the answer, which is supported by
the scriptures....I will be far better to be unhampered and without burdens,
that they may do the Lords will now, as the Lord commands, and also be
without hindrance during Armageddon. … Those... who now contemplate
marriage, it would seem, would do better if they wait a few years, until the
fiery storm of Armageddon is gone." (Face the Facts, 1938, p. 46, 47, 50)
- 1938 As far back as 1880 The Watchtower pointed to
A.D. 1914 as the date marking the end of the world, at which time great
trouble would come upon the nations; but at that time it was not seen by
God's people on earth that the trouble would be the battle of Jehovah
against Satan's organization. For many years it was believed by them, and so
stated in The Watchtower, that "the time of trouble" would be a terrific
clash between the various elements of the earth, such as capital and labor.
Not until 1925 was "the time of trouble" Scripturally understood."
(Watchtower, p. 35, Feb 1, 1938)
- 1939 "The abundance of Scriptural evidence, together
with the physical facts that have come to sass showing the fulfillment of
prophecy, conclusively proves that the time for the battle of the great day
of God Almighty is very near and that in that battle all of God's enemies
shall be destroyed and the earth cleared of wickedness." … "Likewise today,
all the nations and peoples of earth are face to face with the greatest
emergency. They are being warned as God commands, that the disaster of
Armageddon is just ahead." (J. F. Rutherford, Salvation, 1939, p. 310, 361)
- 1939 At San Deigo, California, there is a small piece
of land, on which, in the year 1929 there was built a house, which is called
and known as Beth Sarim. The Hebrew words Beth Sarim mean 'House of the
Princes'; and the purpose of acquiring that property and building the house
was that there are those on earth today who fully believe in God and Christ
Jesus and in His Kingdom, and who believe that the faithful men of old will
soon be resurrected by the Lord, be back on earth, and take charge of the
visible affairs of earth. The title to Beth Sarim is vested in the Watch
Tower Bible and Tract Society in trust, to be used by the president of the
Society and his assistants for the present, and thereafter to be forever at
the disposal of the aforementioned princes on the earth.... It stands there
as a testimony to Jehovah's name; and when the princes do return, and some
of them occupy the property, such will be a confirmation of the faith and
hope that induced the building of Beth Sarim. (Salvation, 1939, p. 311)
- 1940 "The year 1940 is certain to be the most
important year yet because Armageddon is very near. It behooves all who love
righteousness to put forth every effort to advertise The Theocracy while the
privileges are still open." (Informant, April, 1940, p. 1)
- 1940 The Kingdom is here, the King is enthroned.
Armageddon is just ahead. The glorious reign of Christ that shall bring
blessings to the world will immediately follow. Therefore the great climax
has been reached. Tribulation has fallen upon those who stand by the Lord.
(The Messenger, Sept. 1940, p. 6)
- 1940 The prophecies of Almighty God, the fulfillment
of which now clearly appears from the physical facts, show that the end of
religion has come and with its end the complete downfall of Satan's entire
organization." (Religion, J. F. Rutherford, p. 336, 1940)
- 1940 The witness work for The Theocracy appears to be
about done in most of the countries of "Christendom. ... Now the
totalitarian rule has suppressed the Theocratic message, and it should be
expected that when they quit fighting amongst themselves all the
totalitarian rulers will turn their attention to the complete suppression of
everything pertaining to the Theocratic Government. What, then, does it mean
that the Theocratic Government is now suppressed in many nations? It means
that the hour is rapidly approaching when the "sign" of Armageddon will be
clearly revealed and all who are on the side of Jehovah will see and
appreciate it.." (Watchtower, Sept. 1, 1940, p. 265. [White, p. 335 quotes
from the 1942 Yearbook (p. 29), completed by Rutherford just before his
death: "The record as herewith published would, on the face of it, show that
the Theocratic witness work on earth is about done."])
- 1941 "Armageddon is surely near, and during that time
the Lord will clean off the earth everything that offends and is
disagreeable. ... From now on we shall have our heart devotion fixed on The
Theocracy, knowing that soon we shall journey forever together in the earth.
Our hope is that within a few years our marriage may be consummated and, by
the Lord's grace, we shall have sweet children that will be an honor to the
Lord. We can well defer our marriage until lasting peace comes to the
earth." (J. F. Rutherford, Children, 1941, p.366)
- 1941 "Receiving the gift, [Rutherford's book,
Children] the marching children clasped it to them, not a toy or plaything
for idle pleasure, but the Lord's provided instrument for most effective
work in the remaining months before Armageddon." (Watchtower Sept. 15, 1941,
p. 288)
- 1942 "Now, with Armageddon immediately before us, it
is a matter of life or destruction. Those who would be of the Lords other
sheep that shall compose the great multitude of Armageddon survivors and
live joyfully on earth forever must find the answer to a very personal
question, and very important." (Watchtower, April 1, 1942, p. 139)
- 1942 "The New World Is At The Doors...The time is
short. Those who do not inform themselves and who do not now choose the new
world which Higher Powers shall establish will never live to enter into
blessings and glories." (The New World, 1942, p. 10)
- 1942 "The Lord Jesus has now come to the temple for
judgment, and the remnant of the members of 'his body' yet on earth he has
gathered into the temple condition of perfect unity with himself (Malachi
3:1-3), and hence those faithful men of old may be expected back from the
dead any day now. The Scriptures give good reason to believe that it shall
be shortly before Armageddon breaks. In this expectation the house at San
Diego, California, which house has been much publicized with malicious
intent by the religious enemy, was built, in 1930, and named 'Beth Sarim,'
meaning 'House of Princes.' It is now held in trust for the occupancy of
those princes on their return. The most recent facts show that the
religionists of this doomed world are gnashing their teeth because of the
testimony which that 'House of Princes' hears to the new world. To those
religionists and their allies the return of those faithful men of old to
rule with judgment over the people shall not bring any pleasure. But to the
people whom the angels sang about, 'men of good will,' it shall be an
occasion for unbounded jubilation, and they shall rally to the side of those
princely representatives of the kingdom of heaven." (The New World, pp.
104-105, 1942)
- 1942 Such activity in publishing God's kingdom and
clearing his name of the Devil's reproaches by religion was mistakenly given
a place secondary to the making of the bride of Christ class ready for the
marriage with him in heaven, in 1914 as some thought. (The New World; 1942;
2,000,000 ed.; p. 273-274)
- 1942 Before the Lord's Messenger came to the temple
and began interpreting God's will and teaching, the Job class had been
darkening counsel by words without knowledge, it not then being due time for
the disclosure of such knowledge. Some of the consecrated ones thought they
must be taken home to heaven at a time certain in order to help God run the
universe. (The New World; 1942; 2,000,000 ed.; p. 308)
- 1942 "The faithful acts of the men who were known as
fathers in Israel are recounted in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. Genesis
12:1-3; 28:13,14; Acts 7:2-5....These men will be the visible
representatives of the Theocracy, which is the government created and built
up by the almighty God as his capital organization and which shall rule the
world. Further proof that these princes will shortly take office upon earth
as perfect men is found in the prophecy of Daniel. But go thou thy way till
the end be; for thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
(Daniel 12:13) Daniel's lot is that of these princes. Proof is now submitted
that we are now living at the end of the days, and we may expect to see
Daniel and the other mentioned princes any day now!" (Consolation, April 27,
1942, p. 13, brackets in the original)
- 1943 "Man cannot by airplane or rockets or other
means get above the air envelope which is about our earthly globe..."(The
Truth Shall Make you Free, p. 285, 1943 edition)
- 1943 "The final war will come as a most sudden and
complete surprise...Nevertheless, the appearing of the 'desolating
abomination in the holy place' is an unerring proof that the unknown day and
hour of the beginning of the final war is dangerously near." (The Truth
Shall Make You Free, 1943, p. 341)
- 1944 [The establishment of the United Nations was
seen] "as one of the most positive evidences that 'the kingdom of heaven is
at hand' and that the end of the world arrangement is now near. Jesus
foretold the setting up of that anti-Christ organization." (The Kingdom Is
at Hand, 1944, p. 342)
- 1946 "the disaster of Armageddon, greater than that
which befell Sodom and Gomorrah, is at the door." (Let God Be True, 1946, p.
194)
- 1951 "Under the guidance of God's spirit of freedom
the magazine today known as the Watchtower but known back there as Zion's
Watch Tower, began to be published in July, 1879. In the first year of its
publication it pointed to the date 1914 as marked in the Bible." (What Has
Religion Done For Mankind?; 1951; p. 308)
- 1953 "After almost six thousand years of human
sorrow, suffering and death, at last permanent relief is near at hand and
will be realized within this generation." (New Heavens And A New Earth;
1953; p. 7)
- 1955 "in the light of the fulfillment of Bible
prophecy it is becoming clear that the war of Armageddon is nearing its
breaking-out point." (You may survive Armageddon into God's new world, 1955,
p 331)
- 1955 "The very fact that, as part of Jehovah's
secret, no one today is able to find out how much time Adam and later Eve
lived during the closing days of the sixth creative period, so no one can
now determine when six thousand years of Jehovah's present rest day come to
an end. Obviously, whatever amount of Adam's 930 years was lived before the
beginning of that seventh-day rest of Jehovah, that unknown amount would
have to be added to the 1976 date." (Watchtower, February 1, 1955, p. 95)
- 1961 Like Elijah of old, they became quite
disconsolate, uncertain of life, thinking the end of existence and work was
at hand. This was especially the case since the remnant was part of the
virgin class espoused to Christ as his Bride and she failed to realize her
hopes of being glorified to heavenly life with him both in 1914 and now in
1918. (Let Your Name Be Sanctified; 1961; p. 313)
- 1963 "Of what significance is this today? It means
that by the fall of 1963 mankind has dwelt upon this earth 5,988 years. Does
this mean, then, that by 1963 we had progressed 5,988 years into the 'day'
on which Jehovah 'has been resting from all his work'? (Gen. 2:3) No, for
the creation of Adam does not correspond with the beginning of Jehovah's
rest day. Following Adam's creation, and still within the sixth creative
day, Jehovah appears to have been forming further animal and bird creations.
Also, he had Adam name the animals, which would take some time, and he
proceeded to create Eve. (Gen. 2:18-22; see also NW, 1953 Ed., footnote on
Vs. 19) Whatever time elapsed between Adam's creation and the end of the
'sixth day' must be subtracted from the 5,988 years in order to give the
actual length of time from the beginning of the 'seventh day' until now. It
does no good to use Bible chronology for speculating on dates that are still
future in the stream of time." (All Scripture is inspired of God and
Beneficial, 1963, page 286)
- 1966 "According to this trustworthy Bible chronology
six thousand years from man's creation will end in 1975, and the seventh
period of a thousand years of human history will begin in the fall of 1975
C.E Six thousand years of man's existence on earth will soon be up, yea
within this generation. The rein of Christ...to run parallel with the 7th
millennium ..." (Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God, 1966, p.
29-30)
- 1966 "Discussion of 1975 overshadowed about
everything else. 'The new book compels us to realise that Armageddon is, in
fact, very close indeed,' said a conventioneer." (Watchtower 15/10/1966, p
629)
- 1966 "In this twentieth century an independent study
has been carried on that does not blindly follow some traditional
chronological calculations of Christendom, and the published timetable
resulting from this independent study gives the date of man's creation as
4026 B.C.E. So six thousand years of man's existence on earth will soon be
up, yes, within this generation." (Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons
of God, p29, 1966 [Note: 4026 BC to 1975AD = 6000 years])
- 1967 "Just think, 1975 marks the end of 6,000 years
of human experience.....Will it be the time when God executes the
wicked?....It very well could be, but we will have to wait to see.'
(Watchtower, 1/5/1967, p 262)
- 1968 "The immediate future is certain to be filled
with climatic events, for this old system is nearing its complete end.
Within a few years at most the final parts of Bible prophecy relative to
these last days will undergo fulfilment resulting in the liberation of
surviving mankind into Christ's glorious 1000 year reign!" (Watchtower,
1/5/1968)
- 1968 Eight years from the Autumn of 1967 would bring
us to the Autumn of 1975, fully 6,000 years into God's seventh day, his rest
day. (Watchtower May 1, 1968 p. 271)
- 1968 "Why Are You Looking Forward To 1975?" … "What
about all this talk concerning the year 1975? Lively discussions, some based
on speculation, have burst into flame during recent months among serious
students of the Bible. Their interest has been kindled by the belief that
1975 will mark the end of 6,000 years of human history since Adam's
creation. The nearness of such an important date indeed fires the
imagination and presents unlimited possibilities for discussion."
(Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1968, p. 494)
- 1968 "'Adam Created At Close Of 'Sixth Day' Are we to
assume from this study that the battle of Armageddon will be all over by the
autumn of 1975, and the long-looked-for thousand-year reign of Christ will
begin by then ? Possibly, but we wait to see how closely the seventh
thousand-year period of man's existence coincides with the Sabbath-like
thousand-year reign of Christ....It may involve only a difference of weeks
or months, not years.' (Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1968, p499)
- 1968 "I know enough of what is going on to assure you
that, in fifteen years from today, this world is going to be too dangerous
to live in." (Truth That Leads To Eternal Life, p 9, 1968 edition, Quoting
USA Secretary of State Dean Acheson in 1960, [1981 edition deleted "in
fifteen years from today" ie. in 1975])
- 1968 "More recently, the book entitled "Famine-1975!"
[by W. & P. Paddock, 1967, pp. 52,55,61.] said concerning today's food
shortages: "Hunger is rampant throughout country after country, continent
after continent around the undeveloped belt of the tropics and subtropics.
Today's crisis can move in only one direction -toward catastrophe. Today
hungry nations; tomorrow starving nations." … "By 1975 civil disorder,
anarchy, military dictatorships, runaway inflation, transportation
breakdowns and chaotic unrest will be the order of the day in many of the
hungry nations." (The Truth That Leads To Eternal Life, p 88-89, 1968)
- 1968 "1914 a marked year. Years in advance Bible
Scholars realized that 1914 was to be a year of great significance. They
expected great changes to take place, and the facts confirm that 1914 was,
indeed, a marked year." (The Truth That Leads To Eternal Life; 1968;
40,000,000 ed.; p. 91)
- 1968 "The Bible speaks of the time in which we are
living as the "last days" or the "time of the end." (2 Timothy 3: 1; Daniel
11: 40) The facts show that this is a limited period that has a definite
beginning and a definite end. It began in 1914 when Jesus Christ was
enthroned as king in the heavens. It will end when God destroys this present
wicked system of things. … How soon will that be? God's own Son, Jesus
Christ, gives the answer. After drawing attention to the many things that
mark the period from 1914 onward as the "time of the end," Jesus said: "This
generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur."
(Matthew 24:34) Which generation did he mean? Jesus had just referred to
persons who would "see all these things." "These things" are the events that
have taken place since 1914 and those yet to occur down to the end of this
wicked system. (Matthew 24:33) Persons born even as much as fifty years ago
could not see "all these things." They came on the scene after the foretold
events were already under way. But there are people still living who were
alive in 1914 and saw what was happening then and who were old enough that
they still remember those events. This generation is getting up in years
now. A great number of them have already passed away in death. Yet Jesus
very pointedly said: 'This generation will by no means pass away until all
these things occur.' Some of them will still be alive to see the end of this
wicked system. This means that only a short time is left before the end
comes!" (Truth That Leads To Eternal Life, p. 94, 1968)
- 1968 "Just think, brothers, there are only about
ninety months left before 6,000 years of mans existence on earth is
completed... The majority of people living today will probably be alive when
Armageddon breaks out, and there are no resurrection hopes for those who are
destroyed then. So, now more than ever, it is vital not to ignore that
spirit of wanting to do more." (Kingdom Ministry, March 1968, p. 4 [note:
1968 + 90 months = 1975])
- 1968 "During world war 1, God's people expected it to
lead directly into Armageddon, but Jehovah prevented such a climax at that
time. We didn't succumb to such an expectation during world war II. (Kingdom
Ministry, Jan. 1968, p. 5)
- 1968 "But what about today? Today we have the
evidence required, all of it. And it is overwhelming! All the many, many
parts of the great sign of the last days are here, together with verifying
Bible chronology." (Awake!, Oct. 8, 1968, p. 23)
- 1968 "True, there have been those in times past who
predicted an "end" to the world, even announcing a specific date. Yet
nothing happened. The 'end' did not come. They were guilty of false
prophesying. Why? What was missing? Missing from such people were God's
truths and the evidence that He was using and guiding them.'' (Awake, Oct.
8, 1968)
- 1969 "in view of the short time left, a decision to
pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely
dangerous....Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarship or
employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put
spiritual interests first." (Kingdom Ministry, June 1969, p. 3)
- 1969 "There is only a short time left before Jehovah
will destroy this wicked system of things." (Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1969)
- 1969 More recently earnest researchers of the Holy
Bible have made a recheck of its chronology. According to their calculations
the six millenniums of mankind's life on earth would end in the
mid-seventies. Thus the seventh millennium from mans creation by Jehovah god
would begin within less than ten years. Apart from the global change that
present-day world condition indicate is fast getting near, the arrival of
the seventh millennium of mans existence on earth suggests a gladsome change
for war-stricken humankind. ...In order for the Lord Jesus Christ to be Lord
even of the Sabbath day, his thousand-year reign would have to be the
seventh in a series of thousand-year periods or millenniums. (Matt 12:8, AV)
Thus it would be a sabbatic reign. Since early in the existence of mankind
Satan the Devil has been on the loose, making the human family to toil in
hard bondage, causing the earth to be filled with violence before the global
flood of Noahs day and inducing the same old earth to be filled with even
greater violence today. Soon now six millenniums of his wicked exploiting of
mankind as his slaves will end, within the lifetime of the generation that
has witnessed world events since the close of the gentile times in 1914 till
now, according to the prophetic words of Jesus in Matthew 24:34. Would not,
then, the end of six millenniums of mankind's laborious enslavement under
Satan the Devil be the fitting time for Jehovah God to usher in a Sabbath
millennium for all his human creatures? Yes, indeed! And his King Jesus
Christ will be Lord of that Sabbath." (Watchtower, Nov. 15, 1969, p. 622,
623)
- 1971 "Shortly, within our twentieth century, the
"battle in the day of Jehovah" will begin against the modern antitype of
Jerusalem, Christendom." (The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah; 1971;
2nd ed.; p. 216)
- 1972 "Of course, it is easy to say that this group
acts as a 'prophet' of God. It is another thing to prove it. The only way
that this can be done is to review the record. What does it show?"
(Watchtower April 1, 1972, p. 197)
- 1972 "Does this admission of making mistakes stamp
them [Watchtower] as false prophets? Not at all, for false prophets do not
admit to making mistakes." (Watchtower, Nov. 1, 1972, p. 644)
- 1972 "If it is his purpose to have this
beautification of the whole earth accomplished by the end of his seventh
creative day - Scripturally a period of seven thousand years, then the time
is near at hand for the ruining of the earth by exploiters to be stopped by
theocratic power and the blessed transformation to a delightsome garden to
begin. Already, nearly six thousand years of man's existence from the close
of the sixth creative day have run their dreary course. We must be
approaching the threshold of that thousand-year-long reign of Jesus Christ,
which must be accompanied by Paradise according to what Jesus promised the
sympathetic evildoer on the stake there at Mount Calvary." (Paradise
Restored to Mankind - By Theocracy, 1972; p. 18)
- 1974 "this remnant of anointed ones have identified
themselves on the pages of history since 1914 C.E. Before this year members
of this anointed remnant had been earnestly studying God's Word apart from
Christendom. They put the Holy Bible ahead of man-made religious traditions.
As early as 1876 they were publishing that the Gentile Times of 2,520 years
would terminate in the year 1914. Events that have taken place from that
year onward prove they were not wrong." (God's "Eternal Purpose" Now
Triumphing For Man's Good; 1974; p. 178-179)
- 1974 "Yes, the end of this system is so very near! Is
that not reason to increase our activity?...Reports are heard of brothers
selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of
their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a
fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end."
(Kingdom Ministry, May 1974, p. 3)
- 1974 'It also tells us that this millennium must be
preceded immediately by the most destructive war in all human history. We
can now see the political rulers... being gathered... for that War of all
wars....' (Watchtower, July 1, 1974, p 397)
- 1975 "The year 1925 came and went. Jesus' anointed
followers were still on earth as a class. The faithful men of old time -
Abraham, David and others - had not been resurrected to become princes in
the earth. (Ps. 45:16) So, as Anna MacDonald recalls: '1925 was a sad year
for many brothers. Some of them were stumbled; their hopes were
dashed...Instead of it's being considered a 'probability,' they read into it
that it was a 'certainty.' and some prepared for their loved ones with
expectations of their resurrection." (Yearbook, 1975, p. 146)
- 1975 In time, a direct contribution was made for the
purpose of constructing a house in San Deigo for brother Rutherfords use..
Concerning this property the 1939 book Salvation stated: 'At San Diego,
California, there is a small piece of land, on which, in the year 1929,
there was built a house, which is called and known as Beth Sarim. (Yearbook,
1975, p. 194)
- 1975 "Does this mean, then, that mankind has now
reached 6,000 years into the 7,000 year period that God blessed and made
sacred as his rest day? ... No, It does not mean that." (Watchtower
1/10/1975 p. 579)
- 1975 However, suddenly, there came an end to World
War 1. It did not lead on, as Bible students expected, into world revolution
and anarchy or the battle of Armageddon. And the sincere worshippers of
Jehovah who were in the new covenant with him through his Mediator Jesus
Christ, found themselves still in the flesh on the earth. (Man's Salvation
Out Of World Distress At Hand; 1975; p. 98)
- 1975 Furthermore, the remnant of spiritual Israel had
for decades, yes, since 1876, been looking forward to the ending of the
Times of the Gentiles in the autumn of 1914. They were expecting God's
Messianic Kingdom to be fully established in the heavens by then and also
for the remnant of spiritual Israel to be glorified with Jesus Christ in the
heavenly kingdom at that time. All understanding of the Holy Scriptures was
slanted in that direction or adjusted to that idea. And when the year 1914
ended amid the flames of World War 1 and the remnant of spiritual Israel
found themselves still here on the earth, then they were inclined to think
that they would be glorified in the year 1918, three and a half years after
the end of the Gentile Times. (Man's Salvation Out Of World Distress At
Hand; 1975; p. 136)
- 1975 this marked the beginning of a period of
education in the written Word of God from the standpoint that Bible prophecy
is best understood after it has been fulfilled. So there needed to be a
correction of our previous views, and the surviving remnant of spiritual
Israel needed to be readjusted to the postwar realities and opportunities.
... This revised program of Bible education had a profound effect on the
remnant. It oriented their work in the right direction. (Man's Salvation Out
Of World Distress At Hand; 1975; p. 191)
- 1976 "It may be that some who have been serving God
have planned their lives according to a mistaken view of just what was to
happen on a certain date or in a certain year. They may have, for this
reason, put off or neglected things that they otherwise would have cared
for. But they have missed the point of the Bibles warnings concerning the
end of this system of things, thinking that Bible chronology reveals the
specific date." (Watchtower, July 15, 1976, p. 440)
- 1977 Truly the year 1926 deserved to be marked as the
happy climax of the close of the 1,335 days. Those of Daniel's "people" who
kept in expectation and reached the end of the 1,335 days were launched off
into a happiness that has not diminished, but that, despite mounting
persecution and World War II (1939-1945) and subsequent world troubles, has
persisted and increased. (Our Incoming World Government-God's Kingdom,
p146-147, 1977)
- 1979 Because of this hope, the "faithful and discreet
slave" has alerted all of God's people to the sign of the times indicating
the nearness of God's Kingdom rule. In this regard, however, it must be
observed that this "faithful and discreet slave" was never inspired, never
perfect. Those writings by certain members of the "slave" class that came to
form the Christian part of God's Word were inspired and infallible, but that
is not true of other writings since. Things published were not perfect in
the days of Charles Taze Russell, first president of the Watch Tower Bible
and Tract Society; nor were they perfect in the days of J.F. Rutherford, the
succeeding president. The increasing light on God's Word as well as the
facts of history have repeatedly required that adjustments of one kind or
another be made down to the very present time. But let us never forget that
the motives of this "slave" were always pure, unselfish; at all times it has
been well-meaning. (The Watchtower; March 1, 1979; p. 24)
- 1979 Partly because of eagerness to be alive when
Jesus Christ reveals himself in glory, there have been believers throughout
the centuries who began looking for a particular period or a year for the
windup of the ungodly system of things. this has happened right down to
these "last days." Since certain expectations were not realized, many
stumbled and returned to the ways of the world. In fulfillment of Peter's
words, even today we hear the voice of ridiculers. (2 Peter 3:3,4) (Choosing
The Best Way Of Life; 1979; p. 169)
- 1980 "With the appearance of the book Life
Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God, and its comments as to how
appropriate it would be for the millennial reign of Christ to parallel the
seventh millennium of mans existence, considerable expectation was aroused
regarding the year 1975. Unfortunately, however, along with such cautionary
information, There were other statements published that implied that such
realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere
possibility. There were statements made then, and thereafter, stressing that
this was only a possibility. It is to be regretted that these latter
statements apparently overshadowed the cautionary ones and contributed to a
buildup of the expectation already initiated....In saying anyone, the
Watchtower included all disappointed ones of Jehovah's Witnesses, hence
including persons having to do with the publication of the information that
contributed to the buildup of hopes centered on that date. (Watchtower,
March 15, 1980, p. 17-18)
- 1980 If the wicked system of this world survived
until the turn of the century (the year 2000), which is highly improbable in
view of world trends and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, there would
still be survivors of the World War I generation. However, the fact that
their number is dwindling is one more indication that "the conclusion of the
system of things" is moving fast toward its end. (The Watchtower, Oct. 15,
1980, p. 31)
- 1982 "The Bible not only foretold these things, but
indicated that they would occur on a worldwide scale. Also, the Bible said
that all these things would happen upon the generation that was alive in
1914. Yet what were prominent world leaders foretelling just before 1914?
They were saying that conditions promising world peace were never more
favorable. Yet the terrible troubles the Bible foretold began right on time,
in 1914! In fact, world leaders now say that 1914 was a turning point in
history. After drawing attention to the many things that have marked the
period from 1914 onward, Jesus said: 'This generation will by no means pass
away until all these things [including the end of this system] occur.'
(Matthew 24:34, 14) Which generation did Jesus mean? He meant the generation
of people who were living in 1914. Those persons yet remaining of that
generation are now very old. However, some of them will still be alive to
see the end of this wicked system. So of this we can be certain: Shortly now
there will be a sudden end to all wickedness and wicked people at
Armageddon." (You Can Live Forever In Paradise On Earth, p 154, 1982)
- 1984 Some of that "generation (of 1914)" could
survive until the end of the century. But there are many indications that
"the end" is much closer than that! (The Watchtower, March 1, 1984 pp.
18-19)
- 1984 "These definitions embrace both those born
around the time of a historic event and all those alive at that time. 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. And others alive in
1914 are in their 80's or 90's, a few even having reached a hundred. There
are still many millions of that generation alive. Some of them 'will by no
means pass away until all things occur." (Watchtower, 15 May, 1984, p. 5)
- 1986 As far back as 1876, Jehovah' s Witnesses
realized that Bible prophecy marked the year 1914 C.E. as a time when major
events would take place that would have far-reaching effects on human
affairs. They gave the reason for this fact wide publicity. (True Peace And
Security; 1986; p. 70)
- 1986 Prophetic information in the Bible about our day
detail the following: ... (4) The survival of at least some of the
generation that saw the beginning of "the conclusion of the system of
things." (True Peace And Security; 1986; p. 70)
- 1989 "The apostle Paul was spearheading the Christian
missionary activity. He was also laying a foundation for a work that would
be completed in our 20th century." (Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1989, p. 12 [bound
volume changed "20th century" to "day"])
- 1989 In the early part of our 20th century prior to
1919, the Bible Students, as Jehovah's Witnesses were then known, had to be
released from a form of spiritual captivity to the ideas and practices of
false religion. Although having rejected such false teachings as the Trinity
and immortal soul, they were still tainted by Babylonish practices. Many had
developed a self-righteous attitude in character development. Some were
exalting creatures, indulging in a personality cult that focused on Charles
T. Russell, the first president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.
Without any Biblical basis, they were observing birthdays and Christmas. the
cross was still prominent in their thinking. Some even wore a
cross-and-crown lapel emblem, while others sought the respectability
accorded Christendom. (The Watchtower; May 1, 1989; p. 3)
- 1989 "Back in 1904, the book The New Creation called
attention to this new organization that came into existence in the first
century C.E. (Studies In The Scriptures, Series VI, Study V, entitled "The
Organization of the New Creation") Owing to its view of what the end of the
Gentile Times would mean, that book did not envision the remarkable
organizational work that was due to take place after the crippling effects
of the first world war of human history." (The Watchtower; Sept. 1, 1989; p.
12-13)
- 1989 "Some Roman Catholics have claimed that Jesus
Christ's thousand Year Reign ended in 1799 when French armies captured Rome
and deposed the pope as its ruler, so that he was deported as a prisoner to
France, where he died." (Watchtower; Sept. 1, 1989; p. 12 [Jw's did too! See
two 1927 Creation, quotes, p. 293 & p. 294. Another of the "pot calling the
kettle black" quotes])
- 1989 The preservation of the remnant of spiritual new
creation to the end of World War 1 in 1918 and their being kept alive in the
flesh in the postwar year of 1919 came as a wondrous surprise. (The
Watchtower; Sept. 1, 1989; p. 13)
- 1989 They have a modern Governing Body of older
Christian men from various parts of the earth who give needed oversight to
the worldwide activities of God's people. these men, like the apostles and
older men in Jerusalem in the first century, are anointed members of the
faithful and discreet slave class designated by Jesus to care for all of his
Kingdom interests here upon earth. History has proved that they can be
trusted to follow the direction of the holy spirit and that they do not rely
on human wisdom in teaching the flock of God the ways of genuine peace. (The
Watchtower; Dec. 15, 1989; p. 6)
- 1990 Adult Christians too can be disappointed, and
this has in some cases led to spiritual disaster. Some set their hope on a
date when they were sure Armageddon would come. When nothing happened on
that day, they felt let down. (The Watchtower; 4/15/1990; p. 27)
- 1992 "Today, a small percentage of mankind can still
recall the dramatic events of 1914. Will that elderly generation pass away
before God saves the earth from ruin? Not according to Bible prophecy. 'When
you see all these things,' Jesus PROMISED, 'know that he is near at the
doors. Truly I say to you that THIS generation will by no means pass away
until all these things occur.' - Matthew 24:33, 34." (Watchtower May 1, 1992
page 3: The Year That Shocked The World)
- 1993 (The society's latest 'History' book -
"Jehovah's Witnesses, Proclaimers of God's Kingdom", 1993) [Note: At the end
of this book there is a chronological section called 'Notable Dates'. The
predictions for 1925 and 1975 don't even get a mention! Talk about rewriting
history to gullible young converts!]
- 1993 "Further, the widely circulated booklet Millions
Now Living Will Never Die presented the view that in 1925, God's purposes
regarding the restoring of the earth to Paradise and the resurrecting of the
faithful ones of old would begin to be fulfilled. ... The year 1925 came to
its conclusion, but the end was not yet! Ever since the 1870's, Bible
Students had been serving with a date in mind - first 1914, then 1925. Now
they realized that they must serve for as long as Jehovah wishes."
(Watchtower; Nov. 1, 1993; p. 12)
- 1995 [Discussing the generation of Mt 24] "apparently
refers to the peoples of earth (now) who see the sign of Christ presence but
fail to mend their ways." (Watchtower November 1, 1995 p.12)
- 1995 Bible Students, known since 1931 as Jehovah's
Witnesses, also expected that the year 1925 would see the fulfillment of
marvelous Bible prophecies. ... More recently, many Witnesses conjectured
that events associated with the beginning of Christ's Millennial Reign might
start to take place in 1975. Their anticipation was based on the
understanding that the seventh millennium of human history would begin then.
(Awake, June 22, 1995 p. 9)
- 1995 "Why Awake is Published" [before Nov 8th 1995]
Most important, 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." [After Nov. 8 1995 reference to '1914 generation'
deleted] "Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's
promise of a peaceful and secure world that is about to replace the present
wicked, lawless system of things."
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