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Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses

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The eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses is central to their religious beliefs. They believe that Jesus Christ has been ruling as king since 1914 (a date they believe was prophesied in Scripture), and that after that time a short period of cleansing has begun taking place. They further believe that from 1919, Jehovah's Witnesses were selected by God to be his people.

The history of their eschatological beliefs has changed greatly over the years. The original expectations for the year 1914 failed to occur and its signficance has been re-interpreted. 1874, 1878, 1918, 1920, 1925 and 1975 have been some of the years highlighted in their chronology.

Current beliefs

There are four major events within the eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses. This reflects what Jehovah's Witnesses currently teach and believe.

Gentile Times

Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Daniel chapter 4 prophesied a period of 2,520 years known as the "Gentile Times" or "the appointed times of the nations," a phrase taken from Luke 21:24. This is understood to be the interruption of the expression of God's sovereignty over the earth from 607 B.C. to 1914 A.D.

Presence of Christ Jesus

Jehovah's Witnesses currently believe that Christ Jesus has been ruling as king invisibly since October 1914. Jehovah's Witnesses distinguish the Greek word parousia, often translated "coming" as being more accurately understood as "presence."

Sign of Last Days

Jehovah's Witnesses teach that since 1914, humanity has been living in a period of intense increased trouble known as "the last days." (Revelation 11:15-18) War, disease, famine, earthquakes, lack of love, the progressive degeneration of morality worldwide, and the preaching work done by Jehovah's Witnesses are said to mark these "last days" (Matt. 24, Luke 21:7-13). Events that are typically used to demonstrate these beliefs are the fighting of World War I in August 1914, the outbreak of Spanish flu in May 1918, the onset of World War II in 1939, and more recently, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Judgment of Religion and Selection of True Followers

Jehovah's Witnesses believe 1918 to be the time when Christ Jesus judged all world religions. They teach that after a period of 18 months, among all groups and religions, there was found only one group that met God's approval. Jehovah's Witnesses claim the "Bible Students" who later became known as "Jehovah's Witnesses" in 1931 (See History of Jehovah's Witnesses) are that one unique group.

History of eschatology

Throughout its history, the eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses has undergone various changes, mostly surrounding the dates 1874, 1914, 1918, and 1925. As Witness publications taught these dates, they assured their readers the interpretations were based on Scripture and were therefore reliable.[1] However, they have also candidly admitted that their interpretations have at times been in error[2], and that there was no claim to infallibility with regard to their interpretations.[3], and they have never claimed to originate prophecies.[4][5] More recently The Watchtower stated, “The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18)”[6] Thus portions of their eschatology and its accompanying chronology have been discarded.

Currently they teach that modern events correspond to Biblical prophecies, however, they do not predict a specific year for Armageddon to occur (1 Thesessalonians 5:1-5). The Witnesses still rely on their understanding of Bible chronology for establishing the significance of the year 1914.

Overview of Jehovah's Witnesses' Eschatology
Historical Year 1880–1919 1920–1925 1926–1965 1966–1975 1976–1995 1996–2025
Start of "Last Days" 1799 1799, then 1914 1914
Christ's Invisible Return 1874 1874, then 1914 1914
Christ's Kingship 1878 1914
Resurrection of 144,000 1878 1878, then 1918 1918 onward
Armageddon 1914, 1915, 1920 1925 "months" left 1975? imminent

"The Time Is At Hand" 1874-1918

The Second Adventists affiliated with Nelson H. Barbour expected a visible and dramatic return of Christ in 1873,[7], and later in 1874.[8]. They agreed with other Adventist groups that the "time of the end" (also called the "last days") had started in 1799.[9]Soon after the 1874 disappointment, Barbour's group decided Christ had returned to the earth in 1874, but invisibly. Charles Taze Russell entered fellowship with Barbour in 1876[10] and jointly they issued the book The Three Worlds[11] which announced Christ's return in 1874 and the resurrection of the saints in 1875[12], and predicted events for 1878[13] and 1914.[14]1874 was considered the end of 6,000 years of human history and the beginning of judgment by Christ.

Barbour's basic eschatology was retained by Russell after they parted company but with some refinements. Russell taught that while Jesus was invisibly present here on earth, he was made its King in 1878. Rejected by God in 1878 was the "nominal Church" (considered to be "Babylon the Great").[15]Russell also taught that in 1878 Christ resurrected all the "dead in Christ" as spirit beings to be with him here on the earth awaiting a future glorification to heaven. (As each of the remainder of the 144,000 would die after 1878, Christ would resurrect them as spirit beings to join those already resurrected.) Together with Christ here on earth, these invisible resurrected spirit beings were said to be engaged in directing a harvest work (running from 1874-1914) gathering the remainder of those with the heavenly calling.[16]

The culmination of Armageddon would occur in 1914 preceded by the gathering of all the saints (both resurrected and living) to heaven. Russell enumerated 7 expectations for 1914 in The Time is at Hand: "In this chapter we will 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 date will be the farthest limit of the rule of imperfect men...

"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.

"Secondly, It will prove that he whose right it is thus to take the domination will then be present as earth’s new Ruler...

"Thirdly, It will prove that some time before the end of A.D. 1914 the last member of the divinely recognized Church of Christ, the 'royal priesthood,' 'the body of Christ,' will be glorified with the Head...

"Fourthly, It will prove that from that time forward Jerusalem shall no longer be trodden down by the Gentiles...

"Fifthly, it will prove that by that date, or sooner, Israel’s blindness will begin to be turned away...

"Sixthly, It will prove that the great 'time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation,' will reach its culmination in a world-wide reign of anarchy...

"Seventhly, It will prove that before that date [emphasis in original] God’s Kingdom, organized in power, will be in the earth and then smite and crush the Gentile image (Dan. 2:34) - and fully consume the power of these kings."[17]

At first the hopes for 1914 were stretched to "near the end of A.D. 1915."[18]A few months before his death in October 1916, Russell wrote: "We believe that the dates have proven to be quite right. We believe that Gentile Times have ended...The Lord did not say that the Church would all be glorified by 1914. We merely inferred it, and, evidently, erred."[19]Writing in the September 1, 1916 Watch Tower, Russell felt the war in Europe was the beginning of Armageddon: "Our eyes of understanding should discern clearly the Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty now in progress." No longer willing to speculate as to the end of the "Harvest Work" (the gathering of the last of the 144,000), he did point to the destruction of the "nominal Church" as being due in April 1918.[20]

Following Russell's lead, the book The Finished Mystery[21]emphasized events for 1918. The destruction of the churches of Christendom was expected in 1918: "Also, in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church members by millions, it shall be that any that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russell to learn the meaning of the downfall of 'Christianity.'" (Page 485) "The people who are the strength of Christendom shall be cut off in the brief but terribly eventful period beginning in 1918 A.D. A third part are 'burned with fire in the midst of the city.' Fire symbolizes destruction. . . .After 1918 the people supporting churchianity will cease to be its supporters, be destroyed as adherents, by the spiritual pestilence of errors abroad, and by the famine of the Word of God among them." (Pages 398, 399)[22]The Spring of 1918 was also proposed for the glorification of the Church: "Our proposition is that the glorification of the Little Flock in the Spring of 1918 A.D. will be half way (three and one-half years each way) between the close of the Gentile Times and the close of the Heavenly Way, A.D. 1921." (Page 64) Page 177 suggests the very day of this "deliverance" as possibly being Passover day of 1918. The Finished Mystery also predicted the destruction of governments in the year 1920: "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."[23]

"Millions Now Living Will Never Die!" 1918-1925

 
The "Millions" booklet written by Judge Rutherford in 1920

The predictions for 1920 were discarded even before that year arrived in favor of a new chronology. In 1918-1919, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, second president of the Watchtower Society, began a world-wide lecture series entitled "Millions Now Living Will Never Die." Its basic message was a re-interpretation of the significance of the year 1914 (now seen as the beginning of the "great tribulation") and new predictions for the year 1925. Expected by 1925 was the resurrection of the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Issac and Jacob and other Old Testament personages (referred to as "princes") and the beginnings of a new world where death would cease and the dead would be resurrected to an earthly paradise.[24]

A booklet form of the lecture was given wide distribution.[25]Under the subheading "Earthly Rulers," it stated the "great jubilee cycle is due to begin in 1925. At that time the earthly phase of the kingdom shall be recognized. The Apostle Paul in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews names a long list of faithful men who died before the crucifixion of the Lord and before the beginning of the selection of the church. These can never be a part of the heavenly class; they had no heavenly hopes; but God has in store something good for them. They are to be resurrected as perfect men and constitute the princes or rulers in the earth, according to his promise. (Psalm 45:16; Isaiah 32:1; Matthew 8:11) 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 chapter eleven, to the condition of human perfection."[26]

With the return of these "princes" a new order would begin. This would mean that millions of people alive at that time would be able to live forever: "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."[27]Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom explains that Jehovah's Witnesses then "understood that people then living—-mankind in general-—had the opportunity to survive right into the time of restitution and that they would then be educated in Jehovah’s requirements for life. If obedient, they would gradually attain to human perfection. If rebellious, they would, in time, be destroyed forever."[28]Newspaper ads for the "Millions" lecture localized the claim: "It will be conclusively proved...that thousands now living in Marion and vicinity will never die." "It will be conclusively proven...that thousands now living in this city will never die."[29]

The chronology for 1925 was viewed as stronger than the chronology for 1914[30] and was emphasized strongly in the children's book The Way to Paradise.[31]The 1921 book The Harp of God: Proof Conclusive That Millions Now Living Will Never Die predicted that "maimed and disfigured" victims of World War I would be among the "first to receive restoration blessings."[32]

While claiming that 1925 would be among the dates "stamped with God's approval", the Watch Tower was careful to say "that all that some expect to see in 1925 may not transpire that year" and could be "a means of testing and sifting."[33]Disappointment over 1925 is explained by the Proclaimers history book as "testing and sifting from within."[34]

The impact of the disappointment can be seen in statistics from the period. Prior to 1925 the numbers attending the yearly Memorial steadily increased. In 1919 17,961 attended. In 1922 it had increased to 32,661. 1923 saw 42,000 and in 1924 there were 62,696 in attendance. A peak of 90,434 was reached in 1925. The first decrease was recorded in 1926--89,278.[35] However, by 1928 it had decreased to 17,380.[36]As late as 1931 it was claimed 1925 was a year "fixed in the Scriptures."[37]By 1936, the idea that millions of the general populace would survive Armageddon to be educated in a new world was rejected: "There is no promise that anyone will survive the battle of the great day of God Almighty except those who are in the organization of Jehovah under Christ, and who remain faithful and true to the Lord."[38]

"Armageddon Immediately Before Us" 1925-1966

From 1925-1933, the Watchtower Society radically changed their beliefs after the failure of these eschatological expectations.[39] In 1925, the Watch Tower explained a major change that Christ had been enthroned as King in heaven in the year 1914 instead of 1878.[40]1874 was retained as the time of Christ's invisible return until the early 1930s.[41]But, Christ's Second Advent was now explained not as a return to the earth but as a "turning of attention" to the earth with Christ remaining in heaven.[42]By 1933, it was clearly taught that Christ had returned invisibly in 1914 and the "last days" had also begun then.[43]A 1927 Watch Tower had transferred the 1878 resurrection date to 1918.[44]However, it was now held these were raised as spirit creatures to heavenly life to be with Christ there.[45]The judgment on Babylon changed from 1878 to 1919 with the publication of the book Light in 1930.[46]These are the current teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses regarding 1914, 1918 and 1919. Witnesses no longer consider the dates 1799, 1874 and 1878 to have any eschatological significance. The idea that the "great tribulation" had begun in 1914 and was "cut short" in 1918 to be resumed at Armageddon was dropped in 1969.[47]

In 1930, Joseph Rutherford (the second Watch Tower president) took residence of a "Spanish mansion"[48] in California which he called Beth Sarim, meaning, "House of the Princes". It was held in trust for the ancient biblical "princes" who were expected to be resurrected immediately prior to Armageddon.[49]Rutherford spent the winter months at Beth Sarim and died there in January, 1942. In 1948 the mansion was sold.[50] In 1950, the belief that these Old Testament "princes" would be resurrected before Armageddon was dropped.[51]

In the mid 1930s and early 1940s, emphasis was placed on the urgent nearness of Armageddon, said to be "months" away. "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"[52]After the outbreak of World War II, similar wording was used in a 1941 Watchtower describing the use of a new publication: "for most effective work in the remaining months before Armageddon"[53]This was emphasized in the next year: "Now, with Armageddon immediately before us, it is a matter of life or destruction"[54]

Singleness and childlessness was encouraged for the new converts ("the Jonadabs" or "great multitude") because it was "immediately before Armageddon": "If in obedience to the divine command the Jonadabs or great multitude will marry and rear children after Armageddon, would it not be Scripturally proper for them to begin doing so immediately before Armageddon? and should the Jonadabs now be encouraged to marry and rear children? No, is the answer, supported by the Scriptures."[55] For example, young Witnesses were counselled: "It is better and wiser for those of the Lord's 'other sheep' who hope to survive Armageddon and be given the divine mandate to fill the earth with a righteous offspring to defer matters until after the tribulation and destruction of Armageddon is past."[56]This view prevailed up until about 1950.[57]

"Looking Forward to 1975" 1966-1975

 
Convention badge from circuit assembly

During the 1960s and early 1970s, many Witnesses were stimulated by articles in their literature [58]and further encouraged by speakers at their assemblies to believe that Armageddon and Christ's thousand-year millennial reign could begin by 1975. Explicit statements were never made in Watchtower publications but strong statements for 1975 did appear, often accompanied with cautionary remarks.[59]A Watchtower article asked: "Why Are You Looking Forward to 1975?": "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 sabbathlike thousand-year reign of Christ. If these two periods run parallel with each other as to the calendar year, it will not be by mere chance or accident but will be according to Jehovah's loving and timely purposes."[60]Strong statements regarding 1975 were made in some public lectures.[61]Caution was shown by some, however, especially as the time approached. For example, a lecture[62] by then Vice-President Fred Franz in early 1975 pin-pointed after sundown on September 5 1975 as the end of 6,000 years and saying all the prophecies "could happen" by then, while admitting that looked improbable [63]Various news articles noted this emphasis on 1975. A 1969 Time article observed: "The Witnesses have what they believe is Scriptural proof that the end is coming. For one thing, their interpretation of Biblical chronology reveals that Adam and Eve were created in the autumn of 4026 B.C., or 5,994 years ago. Linking 6,000 years to the six days of God's creation, they believe it fitting that there be a sabbath-like rest thereafter, beginning in 1975—though Witnesses cautiously avoid a flat prediction linked to that year."[64]

While Witnesses have always been encouraged to increase the preaching work, and avoid secular life goals or careers, this emphasis was especially strong prior to 1975. Some Witnesses gave up good jobs, college, scholarships, [65] and some sold their houses because they felt the end was extremely close. A 1974 Kingdom Ministry commented on this trend: "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.-1 John 2:17." [66][67] Baptism statistics compared with the number of those reporting preaching for 1976-1980 showed that many became inactive during that period.[68]

In 1979, in a lecture entitled "Choosing the Best Way of Life", the Watchtower Society acknowledged responsibility for the some of the disappointment around 1975.[69] In 1980, in an article based upon that talk, the following statement appeared: "There were statements made then, and thereafter, stressing that this was only a possibility. 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. It is to be regretted that these latter statements apparently overshadowed the cautionary ones and contributed to a build up of the expectation already initiated."[70]

"Live With Jehovah's Day in Mind" 1976-2025

In 1995 changes regarding their interpretation of the statement "this generation" made by Jesus[71] were published. During the previous four decades, Jehovah's Witnesses had taught that the generation which saw the events of 1914, which would not die before Armageddon came, but were described as those who would "still be alive to see the end of this wicked system"[72]or "those who are living at the given period".[73]

The Watch Tower Society taught that a "generation" can be a literal term encompassing about 70 to 80 years in length. [74]They also understood that the term “generation” can mean, “a class of persons,... characterized by certain qualities or conditions”, although this definition was not used to apply to Jesus’ words. [75] The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses taught that "before the 1914 generation completely dies out, God's judgment must be executed"[76] and "We also know that the 1914 generation is well into the evening of its existence, thus allowing only little time for this prophecy yet to be fulfilled. But we also know—for this we have Jesus' own promise—that "this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen."[77]

As the generation of 1914 dwindled in numbers, the Governing Body used this for many decades as evidence that the end was "very near and immediately impending." Former Governing Body member Raymond Franz describes how privately the Governing Body discussed alternate interpretations. One suggestion made by Albert Schroeder, Karl Klein and Grant Suiter proposed moving the beginning of the "generation" to the year 1957, to coincide with the year Sputnik was launched. The proposal, however, was not ratified by the rest of the Governing Body.[78] The generation of 1914 doctrine was finally discarded when the youngest had reached 80 years of age. In 1995, a new interpretation of "this generation" was then published in The Watchtower. Rather than a literal lifespan of 70-80 years as previously taught, the understanding of Jesus' term "generation" was changed to “a class of persons,... characterized by certain qualities or conditions” and thus an unspecified amount of time. [79] This class of persons are described as "the peoples of earth who see the sign of Christ's presence but fail to mend their ways."[80] However, Jehovah's Witnesses still believe that Armageddon is imminent. That same article continued, "Does our more precise viewpoint on 'this generation' mean that Armageddon is further away than we had thought? Not at all!"

The Watch Tower Society correspondingly changed the wording in the stated purpose of Awake! magazine from "the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away" to "the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present, wicked lawless system of things."

Jehovah's Witnesses continue to encourage study of the Bible over post-secondary secular education. [81]Instead, Witness youths were encouraged to devote themselves in full-time ministry. This policy was moderated in 1992[82]but a 2005 Watchtower again discouraged college education.[83]

Issues

There are controversial issues in the history of the eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Great Pyramid of Giza

Nelson Barbour and Charles Russell both taught that the Great Pyramid of Giza contained prophetic measurements in "pyramid inches" that pointed both to 1874 and 1914.[84] 1874 was derived from a measurement of 3416 pyramid inches[85] which measurement was revised in the 1910 edition to 3457 inches to point to 1915.[86] The idea that the Great Pyramid contained a prophetic blueprint of biblical chronology was held up until 1928[87].

Fall of Jerusalem

The date 1914 is based on the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 607 BC. Non-Witness scholars do not support 607 BC for the event; most scholars date the destruction to within a year of 587 BC, twenty years later. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that periods of seventy years mentioned in the books of Jeremiah and Daniel refer to the Jewish exile.[citation needed]

In The Gentile Times Reconsidered: Chronology & Christ's Return by Carl O. Jonsson, a Former Witness himself,[88] he presents 18 lines of evidence to support the traditional view of neo-Babylonian chronology. He accuses the Watchtower of deliberately misquoting sources in an effort to bolster their position.

In Assyrian, Babylonian, Egyptian, and Persian Chronology Compared with the Chronology of the Bible, Volume 1: Persian Chronology and the Length of the Babylonian Exile of the Jews Rolf Furuli presents a very detailed study of 607 BC and supports the conclusion that Witnesses publish.[89]. It should be noted that Furuli is himself a Jehovah's Witness.

Witnesses believe that the year 607 BC is critical in two other prophetic interpretations. First, the destruction of Jerusalem for a seventy year time span.[90] Second, the arrival of Christ in kingly power coincides with the 2,520 year period from October 607 BC to October 1914 AD.[91]

References

  1. ^ Studies in the Scriptures "Times of the Gentiles" p. 99 "In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth..."
  2. ^ Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom (1993) p.631-632
  3. ^ “We do not even aver that there is no mistake in our interpretation of prophesy and our calculations of chronology. We have merely laid these before you, leaving it for each to exercise his own faith or doubt in respect to them." Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence January 1908 “Views From the Watchtower”
  4. ^ “We have not the gift of prophecy.” The Watchtower January 1883, p. 425
  5. ^ “Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible.” The Watchtower December 15, 1896, p. 306
  6. ^ The Watchtower February 15, 1981, p. 19
  7. ^ Evidences for the Coming of the Lord in 1873: or the Midnight Cry, N.H. Barbour (1871). Available online at: http://www.heraldmag.org/olb/contents/history/barbour%20midnight%20cry.htm
  8. ^ The Midnight Cry and Herald of the Morning, March 1874. See Section under "Our Faith."
  9. ^ Present Truth, Or Meat in Due Season by Jonas Wendell, pp. 34-35
  10. ^ Russell explains how he accepted the idea of an invisible return of Christ from N.H. Barbour in "Harvest Gatherings and Siftings" in the July 15, 1906 Watch Tower, Reprints page 3822.
  11. ^ The Three Worlds and The Harvest of This World by N.H. Barbour and C.T. Russell (1877). Text available online at: http://www.heraldmag.org/olb/contents/history/3worlds.pdf
  12. ^ The Three Worlds, pp. 104-108
  13. ^ The end of the "harvest" and a rapture of the saints to heaven was expected in 1878. See pages 68, 89-93, 124, 125-126, 143 of The Three Worlds.
  14. ^ The year 1914 was seen as the final end of the "day of wrath": "...the 'times of the Gentiles,' reach from B.C. 606 to A.D. 1914, or forty years beyond 1874. And the time of trouble, conquest of the nations, and events connected with the day of wrath, have only ample time, during the balance of this forty years, for their fulfillment." The Three Worlds, p. 189. Barbour first predicted 1914 as being the end of a forty year "time of trouble" in the September 1875 Herald of the Morning, p. 52.
  15. ^ "This spuing out, or casting off, of the nominal church as an organization in 1878, we then understood, and still proclaim, to be the date of the commencement of Babylon's fall..."—Zion's Watch Tower, April 1883. Reprints pp. 474-5
  16. ^ Detailed in Thy Kingdom Come (1890), Volume 3 of Millennial Dawn, later retitled Studies in the Scriptures, p. 305-308.
  17. ^ The Time is at Hand, pages 76-78. Later editions read differently. A list of direct quotes from Watch Tower articles on their original beliefs on what the year 1914 held for humanity, unaltered, with date references, publication, and page numbers etc. http://www.reexamine.org/quotes/1914.htm
  18. ^ "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. Then the prayer of the church, ever since her Lord took his departure, - 'Thy kingdom come' - will be answered; and under that wise and just administration, the whole earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord"— The Time is at Hand, 1915 ed., p. 99 (Later editions have 1914 instead of 1915)
  19. ^ "Watchtower". April 15, 1916: 126–127. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  20. ^ September 1, 1916 Watch Tower, pages 264-265
  21. ^ The Finished Mystery from Google Book Search. Published in 1917 by the Watchtower Society. It was considered to be volume 7 of Studies in the Scriptures. Later editions read differently.
  22. ^ See also the chart on page 594 and 595: "Entire destruction of nominal Christendom, accomplished in 40 years after being cast off...A.D. 1918."
  23. ^ The Finished Mystery, 1917 edition, p. 258. (This date is changed in later editions.)
  24. ^ M. James Penton (1985). Apocalypse Delayed. University of Toronto Press. pp. 57–58.
  25. ^ In its first year of publication 3.3 million copies were distributed and it was translated into 31 languages. "The Watch Tower". December 15, 1921: 379. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  26. ^ J.F. Rutherford (1920). Millions Now Living Will Never Die! (PDF). International Bible Students Association. pp. 89–90.HTML version
  27. ^ Ibid., p. 97
  28. ^ Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watchtower. 1993. p. 163.
  29. ^ The Marion Star, Marion, Ohio, April 9, 1921. The Bridgeport Telegram, Bridgeport, Connecticut, December 4, 1920. Scans available at News Clippings from the "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" Campaign (1919-1925)
  30. ^ "The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures than 1914." — September 1 1922 Watch Tower, p. 262. "We have no doubt whatever in regard to the chronology relating to the dates of 1874, 1914, 1918, and 1925...There can be no more question about 1925 than there was about 1914."-May 15, 1922 Watch Tower, p. 147, 150.
  31. ^ The Way to Paradise, published 1924, pp. 215-254. Scans available at: http://www1.tip.nl/~t661020/wtp/wtp_nl.htm The book was announced in the January 1, 1924 Watch Tower and was writen by W.E. Van Amburgh, a member of the Watch Tower magazine's editorial committee.
  32. ^ "During the World War millions were maimed and disfigured in various ways, and many deprived of one or both arms or legs. Because the Lord is now present, putting his kingdom into operation, it is to be expected that many of these crippled and maimed ones will be among the first to receive the restoration blessings. As they come to a knowledge of the fact that the Lord is giving these blessings, and render themselves in obedience to his righteous rule, they will be thus blessed. Happy will be their portion when they begin to be restored. Joyful will be their friends and loved ones to see such restoration blessings being ministered unto them." J.F. Rutherford (1921). The Harp of God: Proof Conclusive That Millions Now Living Will Never Die. International Bible Students Association. p. 332. (Paragraph 563) This book was re-issued in 1928 simply as The Harp of God.
  33. ^ Speaking of 1925, the Watch Tower said: "Noting the date marked so prominately, it is very easy for the finite mind to conclude that all the work to be done must center about it, and thus many are inclined to anticipate more than has been really foretold. Thus it was in 1844, in 1874, in 1878 as well as in 1914 and 1918. Looking back we can now easily see that those dates were clearly indicated in Scripture and doubtless intended by the Lord to encourage his people, as they did, as well as to be a means of testing and sifting when all that some expected did not come to pass. That all that some expect to see in 1925 may not transpire that year will not alter the date one whit more than in the other cases."--May 15, 1922 Watch Tower, p. 150. The dates 1844, 1874, 1878, and 1925 are no longer viewed by Jehovah's Witnesses as indicated by biblical chronology. 1914 and 1918 have been retained, however.
  34. ^ "Following 1925, meeting attendance dropped dramatically in some congregations in France and Switzerland." Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watchtower. p. 633. However, page 78 of Proclaimers states: "The year 1925 came and went. Some abandoned their hope. But the vast majority of the Bible Students remained faithful."
  35. ^ Your Will Be Done on Earth (PDF). Watchtower. 1958. p. 337. Statistics were also published each year in the Watch Tower up until 1926.
  36. ^ Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose (PDF). Watchtower. 1959. p. 313. There are no published statistics from 1929-1934. In 1935, Memorial attendance had increased again to 63,146. "Watchtower". August 15, 1996: 31. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) See also Timothy White (1967). A People For His Name. Vantage. pp. 238–239. 1980 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watchtower. pp. 61–62.
  37. ^ "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 (1931). Vindication, Book One. Watchtower. pp. 338–339. Witnesses no longer consider 1925 to be a year of prophetic significance. Governing Body member Karl Klein wrote that Rutherford admitted his mistake about 1925 to the headquarter's staff: "Regarding his misguided statements as to what we could expect in 1925, he once confessed to us at Bethel, 'I made an ass of myself.' "Watchtower". October 1, 1984: 24. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  38. ^ J.F. Rutherford (1936). Riches (PDF). Watchtower. p. 353.
  39. ^ Thomas Daniels. "Historical Idealism and Jehovah's Witnesses" (PDF). pp. 3–37.
  40. ^ "A real milestone was reached, therefore, in 1925, when The Watch Tower of March 1 featured the article "Birth of the Nation."...The article set forth evidence that the Messianic Kingdom had been born—established—in 1914, that Christ had then begun to rule on his heavenly throne, and that thereafter Satan had been hurled from heaven down to the vicinity of the earth."Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, pp. 138-9. The article "Birth of a Nation" can be read on pp. 67-74 of the March 1, 1925 Watchtower.
  41. ^ The Harp of God (both the 1921 and 1927 editions) affirmed on page 231 that "the Lord’s second presence dates from 1874." The March 1 1922 Watch Tower and pages 65-66 of the book Prophecy (published in 1928) reiterated this position. However, by 1930 some vagueness can be seen. For example, the October 15 1930 Watch Tower, page 308 says the "second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ dates from about A.D. 1875." The November 1 1932 Watch Tower, page 325 is even less precise, stating that from "approximately 1875 forward" Christ was preparing the way.
  42. ^ "Presence—Literal or Symbolic?" in A People For His Name: A History of Jehovah's Witnesses and an Evaluation, by Timothy White, pp. 223-224.
  43. ^ "The year 1914, therefore, marks the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of glory."—December 1 1933 Watch Tower, p. 362
  44. ^ "In June, 1927, The Watch Tower published the proof from the Scriptures that those who thus died faithful were asleep in death until the coming of the Lord to his temple in 1918." Light, Book One, (1930), p. 78.
  45. ^ Light, Book One, p. 333
  46. ^ Light, Book One, p. 318-319.
  47. ^ September 1 1969 Watchtower, p. 521.
  48. ^ See March 31 1930 Time magazine, p. 60. Available at Time magazine archive. Pictures and a rationale for its use were published by the Watchtower Society in the July 25, 1931 Messenger
  49. ^ The title deed to Beth Sarim was published in the March 19, 1930 Golden Age, pages 496-497Interview with Rutherford about Beth Sarim, from the San Diego Sun newspaper, March 1930. http://www.bibletopics.com/biblestudy/89a.htm
  50. ^ Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watchtower. pp. 76, 89.
  51. ^ Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose (1959), p. 252
  52. ^ Universal War Near (1935), J.F. Rutherford
  53. ^ The Watchtower 15 September 1941 p. 288
  54. ^ The Watchtower April 1942 p.139
  55. ^ November 1 1938 Watchtower, p. 323.
  56. ^ 1943 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, Daily Texts and Comments for November 7. The fictional sweethearts of Children, John and Eunice, defer marriage "until lasting peace comes to the earth" while hoping "that within a few years our marriage may be consummated." J.F. Rutherford (1941). Children (PDF). Watchtower. pp. 366–367.
  57. ^ "Since the carrying out of the command to 'be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth' waits until after Armageddon, does that mean that those who now marry and rear children are violating God’s laws? No, for the Scriptures show that 'marriage is honourable in all'--Hebrews 13:4." "Watchtower". October 15, 1950: 382. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) Compare Barbara Grizzuti Harrison (1978). Visions of Glory. Simon & Schuster. pp. 74–77. M. James Penton (1985). Apocalypse Delayed. University of Toronto Press. pp. 265–266.
  58. ^ See, for example, "Awake!" (PDF). 1968: 13–16. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help) and "How Much Longer Will It Be?" (PDF). Awake!: 17–20. 1966. {{cite journal}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help). A comprehensive list of quotes from Watch Tower 1975 articles, unaltered with date references, publication, and page numbers etc. http://www.reexamine.org/quotes/1975.htm
  59. ^ Penton. Apocalypse Delayed. p. 95.
  60. ^ "Watchtower". August 15, 1968: 494–501. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  61. ^ Public Address by District Overseer Charles Sunutko in Spring 1967 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Available at http://www.reexamine.org/quotes/ServingWithEverlastingLifeInView.htm in transcript and audio formats.
  62. ^ Sound clip of unknown talk by Governing Body Member Fred Franz. http://www.freeminds.org/media/fredfranz75an.html.
  63. ^ Crisis of Conscience, Raymond Franz p. 249. Scan available at http://web.archive.org/web/20031209184316/http://users.volja.net/izobcenec4/coc/9.pdf
  64. ^ "Witnessing the End", July 18, 1969 Time (available from Time magazine archive) See also The Arizona Republic August 24, 1969 and the July 11, 1977 Time
  65. ^ Scanned text discouraging higher education from the Watch Tower 22 May 1969, p.15 http://www.jwfiles.com/scans/AW5-22-69p15.htm
  66. ^ Scanned text from the Watch Tower Society's Kingdom Ministry monthly publication, article "How Are You Using Your Life?", May 1974, p.3. http://www.jwfiles.com/scans/KM5-1974p3.htm
  67. ^ List of quoted Watch Tower 1975 articles, unaltered with date references, publication, and page numbers etc, with some critical commentary. http://www.freeminds.org/history/all1975.htm
  68. ^ The January 30, 1982 Los Angeles Times ("Defectors Feel 'Witness' Wrath: Critics say Baptism Rise Gives False Picture of Growth" by John Dart, p. B4) cited statistics showing a net increase of publishers worldwide from 1971–1981 of 737,241, while baptisms totaled 1.71 million for the same period.
  69. ^ 1980 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, p. 30
  70. ^ 5In modern times such eagerness, commendable in itself, has led to attempts at setting dates for the desired liberation from the suffering and troubles that are the lot of persons throughout the earth. 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 man’s existence, considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975. There were statements made then, and thereafter, stressing that this was only a possibility. 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. It is to be regretted that these latter statements apparently overshadowed the cautionary ones and contributed to a buildup of the expectation already initiated. - Choosing the Best Way of Life The Watchtower March 15 1980, p. 17.
  71. ^ Matthew 24:34
  72. ^ You Can Live Forever In Paradise On Earth, published 1982, rev. 1989, p154
  73. ^ "He shows the beginning of this time and how the troubles increase, and mentions some of the sorrows to fall on the world, during the time of trouble. The length of time is indicated by him when he said, 'Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' (Matt. 24:34, NW) The actual meaning of these words is, beyond question, that which takes a 'generation' in the ordinary sense, as at Mark 8:12 and Acts 13:36, or for those who are living at the given period. So it was on 'this generation' that the accumulated judgments were to fall. (Matt. 23:36) This therefore means that from 1914 a generation shall not pass till all is fulfilled, and amidst a great time of trouble. Vision of the 'Time of the End', The Watchtower, July 1951, p. 404
  74. ^ Watchtower 1 December 1968 p.715 'A generation, according to Psalm 90:10, is from seventy to eighty years. The generation that witnessed the end of the Gentile Times in 1914 does not have many more years left; 'Watchtower 15 December 1967 p.751 'the expression "this generation" was used by Jesus to mark a very limited period of time, the life-span of members of a generation of people living during the time that certain epoch-making events occurred. According to Psalm 90:10, that life-span could be of seventy years or even of eighty years.'
  75. ^ Insight of the Scriptures Vol 1 p. 917 Generation
  76. ^ Watchtower 1 May 1985 p.4
  77. ^ Watchtower 1 May 1985 p.7; Watchtower 15 February 1986 pp.5-6; Watchtower 1 October 1988 p.7; Watchtower 1 May 1992 pp.6-7
  78. ^ Crisis of Conscience, Raymond Franz p. 262. Scan available at http://users.volja.net/izobcenec4/coc/10.pdf accessed January 27 2006.
  79. ^ "Saved From a 'Wicked Generation'", The Watchtower (November 1) 1995, pp. 10-15.
  80. ^ "A Time To Keep Awake", The Watchtower (November 1)1995 p. 19 par. 12, and p. 20 par. 15.
  81. ^ “Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of things. Do not be influenced by them. Do not let them ‘brainwash’ you with the Devil's propaganda to get ahead, to make something of yourself in this world. The world has very little time left! Any ‘future’ this world offers is no future!"--The Watchtower, March 15 1969, p. 171.
  82. ^ "If Christian parents responsibly decide to provide their children with further education after high school, that is their prerogative."--November 1 1992 Watchtower, pp. 19-20.
  83. ^ See article, "Parents--What Future Do You Want For Your Children?" in the October 1 2005 Watchtower.
  84. ^ "Herald of the Morning". 1876. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  85. ^ Thy Kingdom Come (© 1891) (1904 edition — Millennial Dawn, vol 3) p.342
  86. ^ Thy Kingdom Come (copyright 1891) (1910 edition -- Studies In The Scriptures, vol. 3) p.342
  87. ^ The last favorable reference to the Great Pyramid can be found in the April 15, 1928 Watchtower, p. 125. The idea was first rejected in the November 15, 1928 Watchtower, p. 341.
  88. ^ The Gentile Times Reconsidered: Chronology & Christ's Return by Carl O. Jonsson. A detailed discussion of the cornerstone belief that the Gentile Times began with the fall of Jerusalem in 607 B.C. Jonsson considers the origin of this belief and examines several lines of evidence in an attempt to refute the starting date of 607 B.C. and the methodology for deriving it. ISBN 0-914675-06-0 Publisher: Commentary Press (July, 1998, Fourth edition 2004)
  89. ^ Assyrian, Babylonian, Egyptian, and Persian Chronology Compared with the Chronology of the Bible, Volume 1: Persian Chronology and the Length of the Babylonian Exile of the Jews (2003) ISBN 82-994633-3-5
  90. ^ Jeremiah 29:10;25:11,12 Daniel 9:2
  91. ^ Pay Attention to Daniel's Prophecy! chap. 6 par. 25-29
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