Jehovah Witnesses, who are they and are they Christian? Their History
Charles Taze Russell, born in 1852 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. . . was raised a Presbyterian, second son of Joseph L. Russell and Ann Eliza Birney who were Presbyterians of Irish- Scottish ancestry, his father allegedly was a high level Mason, though I have not confirmed this as of yet. Charles later on became a member of a “Congregationalist” church. (Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches committed to Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation autonomously and separately runs its own affairs.) Disturbed by his church's philosophy on hell and other doctrines, he apparently became a doubting Thomas during his teen years. By the time he was 18, Russell had left both Presbyterianism and Congregationalism because he could not reconcile the idea of an eternal hell with God's mercy. Out of the “Calvinist Frying Pan and into the Fire” so to speak, if you will. "A God that would use his power to create human beings whom he foreknew and predestinated should be eternally tormented, could be neither wise, just nor loving. His standard would be lower than that of many men." Charles Taze Russell.
It was at this time, Russell denounced the bible and teachings of Christ and looked toward some principal Oriental religions, merely to find these unsatisfying to him as well. Then at the age of 18, in 1869 Russell visited a “Second Adventist” meeting held by Jonas Wendell.
Russell's own words, to confirm: “Seemingly by accident, one evening I dropped into a dusty, dingy hall, where I had heard religious services were held, to see if the handful who met there had anything more sensible to offer than the creeds of the great churches. There, for the first time, I heard something of the views of Second Adventists (Advent Christian Church), the preacher being Mr. Jonas Wendell . . . Thus, I confess indebtedness to Adventists as well as to other denominations. Though his Scripture exposition was not entirely clear, . . . it was sufficient, under God, to re-establish my wavering faith in the divine inspiration of the Bible, and to show that the records of the apostles and prophets are indissolubly linked. What I heard sent me to my Bible to study with more zeal and care than ever before, and I shall ever thank the Lord for that leading; for though Adventism helped me to no single truth, it did help me greatly in the unlearning of errors, and thus prepared me for the Truth.” (Watch Tower Reprints, p. 3821. The Watch Tower Reprints are reprints of the Watch Tower magazine (in small type in seven volumes) from 1879 to 1919. Published by the Watchtower Society in 1920.)
Afterwards, he soon started a bible group with some relatives and associates which included his father. “Shockingly”, one of the primary revelations discovered by the group was there was no eternal punishment or hell as traditional fundamental/orthodox bible believing churches teach. “Yet his father was a Presbyterian (Calvinism) and a member of the group?”
Russell later establish the International Bible Students Association, the predecessor to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. In 1872 before they became known as the Jehovah's Witnesses, they were called Russellites, Millennial Dawnists, and International Bible Students.
Throughout his bible study, several Adventists such as George Storrs, Jonas Wendell, George Stetson and Nelson Barbour and their beliefs persuade Russell profoundly in many aspects and convinced him they had the key to knowwledge of God's plans. Other influences were Christadelphians, a Lutheran minister named Joseph Seiss and perhaps Freemasonry. (The Watchtower, in recent years has admitted this Adventist influence on Russell, proclaiming that Russell "learned much of the mortality of the soul" (soul sleep) from George Storrs. (Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, (New York: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society), 1993, p. 46.)
Russell certified his gratitude to Adventists such as Stetson, Storrs, Wendell and Barbour. (Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, (New York: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society,pp. 288-9; 3821-3; Proclaimers, p. 120.) So according to BOTH Russell and the Society today, Russell learned about theology including soul sleep from Adventists, and from this he would build his own doctrine.
In 1876 Russell obtain a copy of “The Herald of the Morning” an Adventist published magazine put out by the afore mentioned Nelson H. Barbour of Rochester, New York. The unique factor of Barbour's assembly at that time was their credence that Christ returned “invisibly” in 1874. What happened was this Adventist fragment group (Barbour's) could not be scrutinized by bible believing Christians as easily as the other Adventist had, when Christ failed to appear. (In 1874 as some Adventist leaders had predicted, Jesus was to return, in the flesh as stated in the bible.) Barbour's crowd was able to say, that their prediction of Christ’s return did indeed happen, only invisibly, thereby being able to retain and even gain membership of his Adventist group while other Adventist church memberships declined at an alarming rate, as expected. This was very intriguing to Russell and would benefit him much later on his own failed predictions.
Russell convinced Barbour to relocate to Philadelphia and Russell was proclaimed the magazine's financial backer, then an assistant editor and writing articles for the publication. Russell's small following was soon associated with and then affiliated with Barbour's.
In 1877 Three Worlds and The Harvest of This World (Also called, Three Worlds: Or Plan of Redemption) was released. It listed C.T. Russell as the co-publisher. Chronology, Mr. Barbour stated his prophetic belief that 6,000 years from Adam's creation ended in 1873 (pp. 76-77). Jesus returned in 1874, and The Harvest from 1874 to 1914. Then proclaimed 1914 would see the end of the Gentile Times, establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth, and Christ’s rule. In one chapter called The Times of The Gentiles, Barbour wrote; (pp. 83, 84): Hence, it was in B. C. 606, that God's kingdom ended, the diadem was removed, and all the earth given up to the Gentiles. 2520 years from B. C. 606, will end in A.D. 1914, or forty years from 1874; and this forty years upon which we have now entered is to be such "a time of trouble as never was since there was a nation." And during this forty years, the kingdom of God is to be set up. (But not in the flesh, "the natural first and afterwards the spiritual)," the Jews are to be restored, the Gentile kingdoms broken to pieces "like a potter's vessel." and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, and the judgment age introduced.... These are some of the events this generation are to witness.... I am not willing to admit that this calculation is even one year out.
They knew and therefore taught that Christ's “invisible return in 1874” would be proceeded by the rapture of the Saints of Christ, soon, in the spring of 1878, the bodily taking away of believers to met Christ in the air would occur. When this proclaimed prophecy failed to transpire on time as well, Barbour wanted to redirect interest away from the obvious failed prophecy. Russell, irate over this sidestepping, discarded Barbour's defense and started a long and methodical study of the scriptures to try and find out what indeed went wrong “again”.
All these doctorial beliefs Russell conceded to and accepted, with minor alterations to fit the need, when he started “Zion's Watch Tower” magazine in 1879. However, exactly from whom he got his doctrines is not known as many of his Adventist associates believed in many of these views prior to Russell in addition to Barbour. Penton stated that Russell got his beliefs in the "ransom" doctrine, the paradise earth "restitution" doctrine, "negative feelings" towards the churches, conditionalism (soul sleep) and celebrating the "Lord's Supper" or "Memorial" once a year on "Nissan 14" from the Second Adventist, George Storrs. 13 As stated above, current Watchtower writers also admit that Russell "learned much" about soul sleep from Storrs.
Now WHY do I bring this up you ask? Why have I gone into such detail and on Russell’s background in theology and his so called prophetic claims? Well #1, MOST Jehovah Witnesses repudiate the facts. They believe or would like us to believe that Russell was not a Adventist of some sort. That his theological beliefs are of his own, since he is the one true prophet of the era, and in fact as you will find out later, it is only Russell and the Russellites “JW’s” that are saved? (But not from hell, for there is no hell according to them, so saved from what?)
#2 and the MOST reason, is the words of Jesus Christ. Let us read The Lord’s warnings on the Jehovah Witnesses, that He has left us.
Jesus was asked this question: Mathew 24:3-4 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
And part of His response was this, which should be of the most momentous concern to all individuals that are of the Kingdom Hall “Jehovah Witnesses call their assembly places Kingdom Hall”. . . At this point give pleasure and let me bring you to the attention of Jesus talking about Russell and anyone that propagates for him or the Watchtower for you will see in a bit, that they still adhere to Russell’s teachings and claim Jesus Christ returned in 1914, invisible and in secret.
The Lords Answer: Mathew 24:21-35 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
NOW that is clear cut, and if that wasn’t enough alone, which it should be, God made sure it was repeated in Mark and Luke to drive the point home!
Mark 13:21-26: And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory .
Doesn’t say seem to be an invisible event to me, no not at all, and Jesus out and out calls people like Russell “false prophets” Now not even taking into account Christ’s words, but scripture alone we can see that Russell and anyone that preaches his doctrine is a false prophet or seduced by a false prophet, neither of which is good.
Now irrespective of Christ words, let us look to the scripture to see if Russell is a true man of God.
Deuteronomy 18:18-22 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
CLEARLY that shows Russell to be a false prophet and a false teacher and here is how the Lord sees it in the OT.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
Zechariah 13:2-4 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:
So the bottom line is, Russell and all that teach and preach his doctrine are false teachers. They do NOT hold to the doctrines of Christ in many more ways as well, as if we need more?
Between 1881-1897 the “Watchtower Bible and Tract Society” prospered while controlled by Mr. And Mrs. Charles Taze Russell In 1897 Mrs. Russell split from Charles and in 1903 Mrs. Russell file a suit for separation. The declaration was justifiable and in 1906, following astounding testimony and the courts scored Pastor Russell. The Pastor settled in 1906 with a payment of $6,036 to Mrs. Russell. This litigation also revealed that C.T. Russell controlled all financial power of the society, and was not accountable to anyone.
Now this is why I proclaim the "Jehovah Witnesses & the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society" doctrines of evil and of the Satan. Because one of their very books, "The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived" states in chapter 132- A careful study of bible prophecies, including Jesus' own prophecy regarding the last days, reveals that "the Lord's day" began in the history making year 1914, yes, within this generation! So it was in 1914 that Jesus returned invisibly, without public fanfare and with only his faithful servants being aware of his return. In that year Jehovah gave Jesus the command to go subduing in the midst of his enemies!Now if the isn't just a bunch of unsubstantiated claims and lies just like Jesus warned of, I don't know what is. Second note they just tell you it's in the bible, not supporting their stance with verses. Also note, it is the Archangel that cast Satan out of heaven. (Revelation 12:7-9) Christ doesn't even have to get into it. . . it's lite work so to speak. They claim Jesus came invisible to the world. Now read what Jesus proclaims and please stay away from teachings like the heretofore mentioned.
Obeying his Father's order, Jesus cleansed the heavens of Satan and his demons, hurling them down to earth. After seeing this occur in a vision, John hears a heavenly voice proclaim "Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ!" Yes, in 1914 Christ began ruling as King! -Obviously Jesus over and over again shows the JW doctrine to be that of a false prophet and that this second coming event is not going to be a slight of the hand event. JW's will not be alone though, as many more will proclaim these lies. This Also shows that some Christians will still be on the earth during and through the whole tribulation. Jesus wouldn't say to watch for the signs, if we aren't here anymore.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Here you will see evidence that Russell and the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society proclaim that their doctrine is not of their own, but by divine inspiration by God Almighty Alone. (Which leads one to ask, if God told them, how did they get so many things wrong, OR did God lie? God lies?
1881 "If we were following a man undoubtedly it would be different with us; undoubtedly one human idea would contradict another and that which was light one or two or six years ago would be regarded as darkness now: But with God there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, and so it is with truth; any knowledge or light coming from god must be like its author. a new view of truth never can contradict a former truth. New light never extinguishes older light, but adds to it. If you were lighting up a building containing seven gas jets you would not extinguish one every time you lighted another, but would add one light to another and they would be in harmony and thus give increase of light. So is it with the light of truth; the true increase is by adding to, not by substituting one for another." (Watchtower Feb. 1, 1881, Reprints p. 188)
1889 In this volume we offer a chain of testimony on the subject of God's appointed times and seasons, each link of which we consider Scripturally strong... It is beyond the breadth and depth of human thought and therefore cannot be of human origin. (Studies In The Scriptures, 1889, vol. 2, p. 15)
1910 "If the 6 volumes of 'Scripture Studies' are practically the Bible topically arranged, with Bible proof-texts given, we might not improperly name the volumes- 'The Bible' in an arranged form. That is to say, they are not merely comments on the Bible, but they are practically the Bible itself...Furthermore, not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible itself, but we see also that if anyone lays the 'Scripture Studies' ... after he has read them for 10 years-if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone... our experience shows that within 2 years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he has merely read the 'S.S.' with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of the two years." (Watchtower, Sept 15, 1910)
So, we would be better off, just reading the Watchtower alone, if we had to pick between the Watchtower and the Bible. Is that what our Lord teaches us?1917 "In all his (Russell's) warnings he claimed no originality. He said that he could never have written his books himself. It all came from God, through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. " (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 7, p. 387.)
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)
1930 [since 1879 the Watchtower] "has been the means of communicating truth to those who love the Lord. All those who love God supremely believe that The Watchtower was started and has been maintained by his power and grace." (Light, J. F. Rutherford, 1930, p. 12)
1931 Jehovah God has made Know to his anointed ones in advance what these scriptures mean. (Watchtower, June 1, 1931 p. 160)
1931 The Watchtower is not the instrument of any man or set of any of men, nor is it published according to the whims of men. No man's opinion is expressed in the Watchtower. (Watchtower, Nov. 1 1931 p. 327)
This claim traverses the ages, same thing, time and time again, the Watchtower heads are divinely inspired by Almighty God to write what they write, and that claim would be okay, if TRUE! Because there are just to many claims such as this by them to list here, I’m going to skip a few decades and show that they still teach this.1973 "Consider too, the fact that Jehovah's organization alone in all the earth is directed by God's holy spirit or active force." (Watchtower, July 1, 1973, page 402)
1973 Only this organization functions for Jehovah's purpose and to his praise. To it alone God's Sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book. (Watchtower; July 1, 1973; p. 402)
1980 "If you have a tendency towards 'apostasy', get a hobby and keep yourself busy to keep your mind off of it. Stay away from deep Bible study to determine meanings of the scriptures. " (JW Leader Karl Klein, Address to WT, April, 30, 1980) (They tell you to stay away from it, because when you read it, you see the lies the WT puts forth.)
1981 "Prophecies open up to us as Jehovah's holy spirit sheds light upon them, and as they are fulfilled in world events or in the experiences of God's people." (Watchtower, December 1, 1981 p. 17)
Now let us look at these prophecies God has divinely sent to the Watchtower alone to see if they can stand up to the test God has bestowed upon us. Remember, NOT one of them can be false or unfulfilled by the timeline given.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)
“Whelp”, that takes care of that then. We didn’t even get to the rest of them, because right there shows Russell to be a false prophet. Christ has not come back as the Bridegroom yet, we have to go through the tribulation, the beast, the new heaven and the new earth and a HOST of other events as well, before the marriage. I’m not even sure Russell understood the full understanding of the term “Bridegroom” when pertaining to our Lord and Savior.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)
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')
I don’t even need to make a commentary on that one, for it speaks for itself and is nothing more then MORE evidence that the Watchtower and the Jehovah Witnesses are false teachers.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 "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)
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)
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)
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)
Please take note that there is not enough time or bandwidth in the world to cover all the failed prophecies stated by Russell and the Watch Tower, suffice to say, it is clear to anyone with an intellectual brain and a reading comprehension above the 7th grade, that Russell, The Watch Tower and all that try to proselyte others into this doctrine are not of Christ and should be shunned.
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 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)
Wooooopsss, time to back peddle, the date came and went, remember what they said " 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)" among other places. . . SO NOW, 1914 has come and gone, and where is Jesus, well we have to clean this up, so we'll say. . . .
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)
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 "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 look 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)
So how do we know the Lord doesn't have the Watchtower people and the JW’s looking for the right thing at the wrong time now? Again?Or the wrong thing at the right time? I mean by their own words the Lord has done it before.
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"])
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)
FIRST OFF, they said it wouldn’t last pass 1914-15 “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)” But of course that didn’t come about and none of the others did down the ages, so now what? WELL, they are going to have to fix that. Now watch this, they are going to blame those that believed them! This is a kick in the teeth isn’t it?! They tell them this is going to happen, and this is going to happen, and then when people say “Hey why didn’t this happen like you said, you claim God told you.” THIS is the watchtower’s response.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)
Isn’t that a hoot!
