false prophecies/false date settings, of the so called Jehovahs witnesses: jwfacts dot com

"Tom: You stated earlier that Pastor Russell was not too certain as to exactly what would take place in 1914. Was that the general attitude of the Witnesses at that time?

John: There is no doubt that many throughout this period were overzealous in their statements as to what could be expected. Some read into the Watch Tower statements that were never intended, and while it was necessary for Russell to call attention to the certainty that a great change was due at the end of the Gentile times, he still encouraged his readers to keep an open mind, especially as regards the time element." Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose p.52

Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom p.62

Watchtower blames those who believed they were going to heaven on misunderstanding the message and labels those that stop following the Watchtower leaders as having been serving out of wrong motives.

"Disappointed expectations as to the return of the Lord Jesus had in the 19th century caused many followers of William Miller and various Adventist groups to lose faith. But what about the Bible Students associated with Russell? Had some been attracted by the thought of their own early salvation rather than love for God and a strong desire to do his will?" Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom p.62

The restoration began in the year 1914!

MaxInDHouse:
The restoration began in the year 1914!

lost false jw mad max

just more of your much repeated obsessive compulsions
which is mental disease

Rev_20:15  And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire

MaxInDHouse:
Jesus returned in the year 1914!

I read it in my grandfather's diary. It was 31st of February, 1914. What a memorable day that was!


Russell himself witnessed it and asked the brethren to shout hallelujah twenty - one times to praise Jehovah.

MightySparrow:

I read it in my grandfather's diary. It was 31st of February, 1914. What a memorable day that was!


Russell himself witnessed it and asked the brethren to shout hallelujah twenty - one times to praise Jehovah.

The disappointment was so huge they still admit it today as delayed expectations

1914 the year of restoration!

so called Jehovah's witnesses say when old prophecy and dates fail,
and they give a new prophecy or date, that it is new light

the thing is, the new prophecy's and dates also fail, it is not new light,
it is continuing darkness

false prophecies/false date settings, of the so called Jehovahs witnesses: jwfacts dot com

"Their thoughts and desires had been fixed primarily on the prospect of being changed to heavenly life. When this did not occur at the anticipated time, they closed their minds to the significance of the amazing things that did take place in 1914. They lost sight of all the precious truths that they had learned from God’s Word, and they began to ridicule the people who had helped them to learn these." Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom p.636

This is such a conceited comment. Bible Students were attracted to Russell's message because they thought it was truth, and when he was proven to be a fraud they stopped following him. If some believed in a resurrection prior to Russell, whilst following Russell's teachings, and after they ceased to believe his interpretations, it is irrelevant whether they hoped the resurrection would come "early." At least, they were honest enough to admit they had been deceived.

The Yearbook 2014 discusses how some members carried a countdown card that ended with the date 1st October 1914. It avoids mentioning the Watchtower's responsibility for such expectations.

“Some Bible Students even carried a countdown card so that they could mark off each passing day. Many felt that they would be called beyond the veil, or to heaven, on that date.” Yearbook 2014 p.174

In the year 1914 Jesus came to pick the group that's prepared for the assignment he gave his first century disciples!

false prophecies/false date settings, of the so called Jehovahs witnesses: jwfacts dot com

This is a common Watchtower formula; blame the members. Rather then apologise for error, say the followers were overzealous, misunderstood things or read into things. As prior quotes showed, this is just not true. The statements flowed unendingly, "this is an established truth", there is "proof", these things "will" occur. It was spelled out so clearly there was no need for the members to read in what was not intended.

Possibly worse is that these mistakes are also handed off to be the fault of the Lord. Rather than admit he had spent decades misleading people, Russell passes blame to the Lord for overruling these lies and false prophecies.

"The author acknowledges that in this book he presents the thought that the Lord's saints might expect to be with Him in glory at the ending of the Gentile Times. This was a natural mistake to fall into, but the Lord overruled it for the blessing of His people." Studies in the Scriptures - The Time is At Hand 1916 foreword iv

The 1916 foreword to The Time is At Hand introduced the comment that the book "makes no claim to infallibility".

"This Volume makes no claim to infallibility, and no claim of any direct inspiration from God in the interpretation of His Word. On the contrary, it does claim that the Divine Revelation is the Bible. Its endeavour has been to collate the Bible evidences to offer suggestions in respect to the significance." Studies in the Scriptures - The Time is At Hand 1916 foreword i

Russell had attracted thousands of convinced followers with statements that his interpretations were beyond doubt, and then when proven wrong excused this deception by adding a simple foreword that he never claimed to be infallible.

The Governing Body continues to use this strategy to great effect,

"The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction." Watchtower 2017 Feb p.26

The Governing body take this concept even further than intended by Russell, by demanding absolute allegiance to their interpretation as spirit directed truth, then allowing an escape route by claiming they are not inspired. This is disingenuous, as being directed by holy spirit is the same as being inspired.

1914!

MaxInDHouse:
1914!

The year America joined a war that doesn't concern her when Europeans fought themselves which they tagged world war 1 and Watchtower was praying for America to be victorious.

Year 1914 the beginning of pangs of distress according to Jesus of Nazareth! Matthew 24:8

false prophecies/false date settings, of the so called Jehovahs witnesses: jwfacts dot com

Carl Sagan regarding Watchtower predictions

Carl Sagan made an important observation regarding a "prominent American religion [which] confidently predicted that the world would end in 1914." Whilst not naming the religion, there is little doubt who he was referring to. He is not at all flattering about people that choose to accept the reasoning for why the world did not end as expected then, and continue to follow such evasive religious leaders.

"Doctrines that make no predictions are less compelling than those which make correct predictions; they are in turn more successful than doctrines that make false predictions.

But not always. One prominent American religion confidently predicted that the world would end in 1914. Well, 1914 has come and gone, and -- while the events of that year were certainly of some importance -- the world does not, at least so far as I can see, seem to have ended. There are at least three responses that an organized religion can make in the face of such a failed and fundamental prophecy. They could have said, "Oh, did we say '1914'? So sorry, we meant '2014.' A slight error in calculation. Hope you weren't inconvenienced in any way." But they did not. They could have said, "Well, the world would have ended, except we prayed very hard and interceded with God so He spared the Earth." But they did not. Instead, they did something much more ingenious.

They announced that the world had in fact ended in 1914, and if the rest of us hadn't noticed, that was our lookout. It is astonishing in the face of such transparent evasions that this religion has any adherents at all. But religions are tough. Either they make no contentions which are subject to disproof or they quickly redesign doctrine after disproof. The fact that religions can be so shamelessly dishonest, so contemptuous of the intelligence of their adherents, and still flourish does not speak very well for the tough-mindedness of the believers. But it does indicate, if a demonstration were needed, that near the core of the religious experience is something remarkably resistant to rational inquiry."

Broca's Brain, Carl Sagan (New York: Ballantine Books, 1979, pp. 332-33)

Emusan:


The year America joined a war that doesn't concern her when Europeans fought themselves which they tagged world war 1 and Watchtower was praying for America to be victorious.

Abi ooooo, they started manipulating history to fit their concocted modern day Bible prophecy fulfillment

Year 1914

false prophecies/false date settings, of the so called Jehovahs witnesses: jwfacts dot com

The stream of time has proven all Watchtower predicted for 1914 wrong, either by it changing its doctrine on specific points, or definitive predictions not occurring. Yet, Watchtower boasts about this part of its history, choosing to gloat over its remarkable foresight that the Gentile Times would end in 1914.

"Very noteworthy was the striking accuracy with which that book pointed to the end of the Gentile Times, "the appointed times of the nations."" Yearbook 1975 p.37

The end of the Gentile times are a vague and unverifiable concept, and it cannot be proven they ended in 1914, making it hardly noteworthy that a prediction was made that cannot be proven or disproven. Likewise, it cannot be proven that Jesus started ruling in 1914, as the Watchtower describes this as an unseen event. What is noteworthy that the verifiable predictions Watchtower made for 1914, such as the end of religion, the end of government, and the earthly resurrection, all failed to eventuate.

Russell was not guided by Jehovah to uniquely understand Daniel's prophecy of the Seven Times; he took his interpretation from Adventists such as Barbour. His interpretation was wrong, as he adamantly stated that 1914 would be "the final end" of this system of things. Watchtower has not presented a consistent understanding of 1914 and the current interpretation was not finalised until 1943.

false prophecies/false date settings, of the so called Jehovahs witnesses: jwfacts dot com

Watchtower spent decades promoting its most prominent doctrine that the end would occur in 1914. Should a person trust Watchtower when it was proven so dramatically wrong? Can a person trust it when it continues to resort to deception when presenting its history? How can a person belong to an organization that refuses to accept responsibility for its mistakes, passing the blame to its faithful followers?

The admonition from Paul at 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 is apt.

"However, brothers, respecting the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we request of YOU not to be quickly shaken from YOUR reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here."

In view of how Watchtower lies about its past mistakes, Is This Life All There Is? page 46 asks a pertinent question:

"Knowing these things, what will you do? It is obvious that the true God, who is himself "the God of truth" and who hates lies, will not look with favor on persons who cling to organizations that teach falsehood. (Psalm 31:5; Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 21:8] And, really, would you want to be even associated with a religion that had not been honest with you?"

"A religion that teaches lies cannot be true." Watchtower 1991 Dec 1 p.7

1914

false prophecies/false date settings, of the so called Jehovahs witnesses: jwfacts dot com

[1] Some Watchtower apologists may try to reason that the Jan 15 1993 quote is accurate, since The Watchtower only took that title since October 15 1931, by which time Jesus presence had been moved to 1914. Any false statements regarding 1874 had appeared when the magazine was called The Watch Tower. If that truly was the writers intend, it must be seen as deliberately misleading. Nor it is a fair comment, since The Watchtower refers to its older magazines collectively as The Watchtower. For instance The Watchtower 1936 p.382 says "It was about that date [1879] that the second presence of the Lord began to be considered in the pages of The Watchtower, which since then until now has been the means of communicating truth to those who love the Lord."

[2] God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached p.209 states the understanding of 1874 changed in 1943. Although 1874 ceased being a millennium marker in 1943, the reasoning that changing "the six thousand years ... did away with the year 1874 C.E. as the date of return of the Lord Jesus Christ" is quite dishonest, since 1874 had already been changed to 1914 in 1930.

In the 1920's, Watchtower was still teaching that Jesus presence started in 1874.

Jesus was enthroned in the year 1914

false prophecies/false date settings, of the so called Jehovahs witnesses: jwfacts dot com

"Bible prophecy shows that the Lord was due to appear for the second time in the year 1874. Fulfilled prophecy shows beyond a doubt that he did appear in 1874. Fulfilled prophecy is otherwise designated the physical facts; and these facts are indisputable." Watch Tower 1922 Nov 1 p.333

"The Scriptural proof is that the second presence of the Lord Jesus Christ began in 1874 A.D. This proof ... " Prophecy 1929 pp.65,66

Golden Age 1930 Apr 30 first indicated that Jesus arrival was 1914. ("The end of the world would therefore mean the arriving of the time when Satan's rule would be disputed by Christ, whose right it is to rule. That period of 2520 years ended in the fall of 1914." p.505) This was discussed again in the 1931 booklet, The Kingdom, the Hope of The World and then the Watchtower in 1932.

What is Truth? made clear that the Second Coming had shifted to 1914.

"The prophecy of the Bible, fully supported by the physical facts in fulfilment thereof, shows that the second coming of Christ dates from the fall of the year 1914." What is Truth? (1932) p.48

This was clarified in the 1933 Watchtower.

"The year 1914, therefore, marks the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of glory." Watchtower 1933 Dec 1 p.362

The following poster incorporates quotes from Studies in the Scriptures - The Battle of Armageddon (1897) with images from The Photo Drama of Creation (1914), concisely depicting that despite the doomsday similarities with current teachings, Watchtower prophetic interpretation was a complete failure.

1914

MaxInDHouse:
Jesus was enthroned in the year 1914

Evidence from the scripture:

Rev 1:5 ". . . and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings."

How can the RULER of kings be enthroned in the year 1914?

Emusan:


Evidence from the scripture:

Rev 1:5 ". . . and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings."

How can RULER of kings be enthroned in the year 1914?

This is because the GODS of men housed in USA said so and must be trusted completely and absolutely

achorladey:


This is because the GODS of men housed in USA said so and must be trusted completely and absolutely

And failure to read scripture like the berean brethren to confirm for oneself.

Jesus was enthroned in the year 1914!

MaxInDHouse:
Jesus was enthroned in the year 1914!

No support from the scripture

Here is a clear proof from the scripture that Jesus is already A RULER.

Rev 1:5 ". . . and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, the ruler of kings."

How can the RULER of kings be enthroned in the year 1914?

In the year 1914 Jesus was enthroned in the heavens as the designated King of God's kingdom!

MaxInDHouse:
In the year 1914 Jesus was enthroned in the heavens as the designated King of God's kingdom!

Which Kingdom was Jesus designated with before he was called RULER of kings?

Emusan:

Which Kingdom was Jesus designated with before he was called RULER of kings?

Prophetic pronouncement regarding the time Jesus will raise his 144,000 corulers {1Thessalonians 4:16-17} he remains beside his father in heaven until he is given the order to start acting {Psalms 110:1-2} that prophecy is what God's people got wrong thinking Jesus will start ruling the earth but instead he took all the dead in Christ to heaven that year and drove Satan out of heaven, that's what he meant by saying "i going to prepare a place for you" {John 14:6} from the beginning God never prepare any place in heaven for humans {Psalms 115:16} it's the same place where those fallen angels occupied that Jesus made ready for his corulers that's the reason those angels came down with great rage {Revelations 12:7-12} to cause trouble on earth since the year 1914 till now! Matthew 24:3-14

false prophecies/false date settings, of the so called Jehovahs witnesses: jwfacts dot com

"Millions now living will never die!" was exclaimed by Rutherford in a series of public lectures starting 1918. This was related to his prophecy that the earthly resurrection would commence 1925, with the return to life of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and became the focus of the preaching work in the following years.

This article provides quotes regarding Rutherford's failed doctrine, and shows how in recent times Watchtower dishonestly presents this historical episode.

The failure of Watchtower's 1914 predictions for the end of this system, and death of Russell in 1916, left his followers in disarray. After legalistic wrangling,1 Rutherford became Watchtower's next President. Credit must go to Rutherford for his ability to rebuild the religion. He was able to re-ignite urgency into the remaining followers by announcing through public discourse in February 1918 that "The World Has Ended - Millions Now Living May Never Die!" In March 1918, the title was changed to the more compelling “The World Has Ended — Millions Now Living Will Never Die!”2

In 1920, this message was released in the booklet, Millions Now Living Will Never Die! This was further expounded in 1921 in Rutherford's first book, The Harp of God, which carried on the cover the inscription, "Proof Conclusive that Millions now Living will never Die". In 1924, the children's book The Way to Paradise made a number of outlandish predictions for 1925 and life in the New System.

The Proclaimers book relates;

"What an exciting message they proclaimed--"Millions now living will never die!" Brother Rutherford had given a discourse on this subject in 1918. It was also the title of a 128-page booklet published in 1920. From 1920 through 1925, that same subject was featured again and again around the world in public meetings in all areas where speakers were available and in upwards of 30 languages." Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom p.425
Reading the brief mention of this topic in the Proclaimers book, one could be mistaken for thinking 1925 was of little relevance in the history of Jehovah's Witnesses; yet this was the defining prophecy of Rutherford's leadership. Largely unknown by most Jehovah's Witnesses today, this was the focus of the Watchtower preaching work between 1918 and 1925. "Millions Now Living Will Never Die!" introduced Rutherford's prediction that the earthly resurrection was to begin in 1925, starting with the faithful men of old, men such as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.