Charles Russell and the date 1914
What exactly did Charles Taze Russell (henceforth: CTR) expect in 1914? In this article I document what CTR actually printed in the pages of The Watch Tower between the dates of 1879 to 1914. Since these publications are not made available on the jw.org site, I have consulted a site that still holds CTR in respect and has made these old publications available online. I have tried to quote liberally so the reader can see the immediate context of each mention of that date. I have also linked to them so the reader can consult even more of the context if so desired.
It’s interesting to note how and why CTR and other early writers of The Watch Tower supported their conviction of the importance of the year 1914. It was based on their conviction that God works in equal or formula-based time periods. If a certain amount of time had elapsed between historical events then it must be mirrored by corresponding time periods reaching to the present. [CTR uses the term Parallel Dispensations.] This expectation of a symmetrical unfolding of Biblical history and prophecy could have been a reflection of the scientific and mechanical advances that were made during the 18th and 19th centuries: cotton mills, sewing machines, telephones, electricity, typewriters, steam engines, and the automobile. [Note the explicit analogy used in 1904: “They fit together like the cog-wheels of a perfect machine.”] But these chronologically symmetrical expectations were proven wrong by time and history. Their elaborate systems of “this means that” hermeneutics were constructed solely on their own authority. By using extensive quotes from scriptures they exploited people’s respect for scripture to get them to accept their interpretations of scripture. Because the math worked people accepted that the assumptions, starting points, methods, and conclusions were also correct. But what if God didn’t work in equal time period’s at all? What if he doesn’t operate with a numerically based chronological formula for history at all? None of the contributors to The Watch Tower questioned that assumption. They were all enamored with their discovery of these numerical patterns. As J.H.P. stated in 1880: “Why, if there is nothing in all these things, can such a harmony be developed on the basis of number seven?” Despite Christ’s admission that even he didn’t know the time nor the hour of his future return, these men revelled in their discoveries of these numerical patterns in scripture and by implication thought that they were smarter than Jesus himself!
But first, I begin with several more recent statements made by the WTS about what they claim they said about the date 1914.
| Date | Text |
| 1993 Jan 15 | “The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honesthearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus’ presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914.” Watchtower 1993 Jan 15 p.5 → jw.org |
| 1973 Jan 22 | “Jehovah’s witnesses pointed to the year 1914, decades in
advance, as marking the start of the conclusion of the system of things.” Awake!
1973 Jan 22 p.8 → jw.org see also What the Bible really teaches
Compare the above statement with this one: “We are now more than a hundred years from the beginning of the Time of the End” The Watch Tower November 1, 1914 (p. 326) |
| 1984 Dec 1 | “It is easy for the established churches of Christendom and other people to criticize Jehovah’s Witnesses because
their publications have, at times, stated that certain things could take place on certain dates. But is not such line
of action in harmony with Christ’s injunction to “keep on the watch”? …True, some expectations that appeared to be backed up by Bible chronology did not materialize at the anticipated time. But is it not far preferable to make some mistakes because of overeagerness to see God’s purposes accomplished than to be spiritually asleep as to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy?” Watchtower Dec 1, 1984 |
| 1972 Apr 1 | “So does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet?…This “prophet” was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses…Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a ‘prophet’ of God. It is another thing to prove it,” (Watchtower, Apr. 1, 1972, p. 197). |
| 1954 June 15 | “Why, then, do the nations not realize and accept the approach of this climax of judgment? It is because they have not heeded the world-wide advertising of Christ’s return and his second presence. Since long before World War I Jehovah’s witnesses pointed to 1914 as the time for this great event to occur.” (Watchtower June 15, 1954, p. 370) |
| 1952 Nov 1 | *** w52 11/1
p. 654 par. 5 A Better Basis for Belief *** 5 We know from experience that men cannot prophesy accurately. Just in our own generation men told us that the first world war was to make it safe for democracy. It did not. The League of Nations was to be the political expression of Christ’s kingdom on earth. It was not. The second world war was to rid the earth of dictators. A bigger one now flourishes. The United Nations was to bring the nations together in peaceful co-operation. But they are split into eastern and western blocs, and the two factions fight their wordy battles in the United Nations and their bloody battles in Korea. No, men are not true prophets. They do a lot of predicting, but they do not do much fulfilling. But it is different with Jehovah God. He prophesies, and fulfillments follow. And logically, the more of his prophecies we find fulfilled, the more firmly do we hold in confidence to the yet unfulfilled words of God. So to strengthen still further our faith in the Bible let us ponder a few of the many fulfillments. So, what does the record reveal about the WTS prophesying attempts regarding 1914, 1925, 1975? To whom should we attribute these failures? |
| 1952 Nov 1 | *** w52 11/1
p. 658 par. 16 A Better Basis for Belief *** 16 As for the time of Christ’s second presence, Daniel’s prophecy is again the one that gives the chronology for it. (Dan. 4:16) It was figured out as pointing to A.D. 1914, and The Watch Tower called notice to the significance of 1914 in the year 1879. The Christian Greek Scriptures foretell many physical evidences that would be observable at the time of Christ’s second presence, so that persons on earth would know of his presence, Christ himself being a spirit creature and invisible to human eyes. (John 14:19) Predicted were world war, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, sectarian divisions, persecution of his followers, world-wide preaching of the good news of the established Kingdom, widespread delinquency and general breakdown of morals, and many other developments that we have seen since 1914. The generation experiencing the beginning of these things will survive to see their end at Armageddon. (Matt. 24:1-34; 2 Tim. 3:1-5, 13) Thereafter eternal life in endless blessings will begin for obedient persons in a new world.—2 Pet. 3:13. In 1952 they state that CTR “figured out” that Christ’s presence would occur in 1914. It sounds like CTR was smarter than Jesus himself. But what, exactly, did CTR call notice to in the years before 1914? |
What follows are excerpts from early Watch Tower publications presented in chronological order in which the date 1914 is mentioned.
| 1879 Dec | We have no doubt that Zion as used in scripture is double, aside from its being the name of a literal mountain. It represents “the city of the Lord” (`Isa. 60:14`) — Jerusalem. But which? There are two Jerusalems: the old, and the new: the earthly and the heavenly, and two nations or churches corresponding — the Jewish and the Gospel. Some apply the text wholly to the restoration of the earthly Jerusalem, and others apply it wholly to the success, in some way of the gospel church; perhaps it is most commonly applied to what is familiarly called a “revival of religion.” We believe such prophecies apply primarily to the building up of the old Jerusalem, by restoration, and in a higher sense, to the building up of the New Jerusalem by glorification, and that both will be accomplished in one and the same day, i.e. “the day of wrath,” or the 37 years on which we have entered reaching to A.D. 1914. … To build up Zion implies a process, and so far as relates to the earthly Jerusalem, includes the restoration of the Jewish nation of Israel according to the flesh, in all its parts; and we believe in its application to the Gospel church, the same must be true. That from 1878 to 1914 is the last half of the last trump, has often been shown, and also that this is the period during which Jerusalem is to be restored. … This doubtless refers primarily to the restoration of the earthly Jerusalem during thirty-seven years, or from 1878 to 1914 (p. 5) The Watch Tower Dec 1879 The Building of Zion (p. 2 R56) |
| 1880 Mar | “The Times of the Gentiles” extend to 1914, and the heavenly kingdom will not have full sway till then, The Watch Tower March 1880 (p. 4 R82) |
| 1880 Jun | In `Leviticus 26`, the expression “seven times” is four times repeated in reference to the duration of the rule of its enemies over Jerusalem. It
has often been shown that this is the basis and key of the Times of the Gentiles (`Luke
21:24`), or the duration of Gentile rule over Jerusalem. A time is a year; a prophetic year is 360
common years and has been so fulfilled. “A time, times and a half” (i.e., 3-1/2 times) has been fulfilled as 1260
literal years in the Papal dominion over the nations, between A.D. 538 and A.D. 1798. If three times and a half are 1260 years, seven times are 2520 years. From B.C. 606, where the desolation of Jerusalem began, 2520 years reach to A.D. 1914. According to this application of the number seven, Jerusalem will be free at that time, and thence-forward be a praise in the earth. The application is clearly confirmed by the events of to-day—the trouble brewing among the nations, and the beginning of Jewish restoration. Why, if there is nothing in all these things, can such a harmony be developed on the basis of number seven? J. H. P. The Watch Tower June 1880 (p. 5 R109) Another example of “this is that” exposition. Looks like someone was smarter than Jesus again. |
| 1880 Jul | Most of our readers are perhaps aware that our understanding of the word leads us to the conclusion that “The
time of trouble” or “Day of wrath,” covering the forty years from 1874 to 1914 is in two parts or of two kinds: first a
time of trouble upon the church during which she (the nominal church) will fall from her present position of influence
and respect with the world, and many will fall from truth and from faith. This trouble upon the church and also the
fact that we shall be in it but protected and safe is shown by the `91 Psalm`. … The transition period of seventy years mentioned at the beginning of this article, has its parallel in the transition from the Gospel age to the millennium, or between A.D. 1844 and A.D. 1914. The beginning of this transition is marked by the application of the 2300 days or years of `Daniel 8` and `9`, and the end is marked by the end of the Times of the Gentiles. … Let no one claim to believe and build on the parallelism and yet virtually ignore it. If it can be proved that the presence of Christ is not true, the Two Dispensation arguments will be proved untrue so far as its time element is concerned. But we are satisfied that both will stand the test of time and future events. … we conclude that the day of wrath is included in the Gospel harvest, and, therefore, that the age and harvest extend to 1914… … The seventh trumpet includes both and reaches to 1914 The Watch Tower July 1880 (p. 1 R112) |
| 1880 Nov | As to the time of our change, that it is at, (or during) the sounding of the “last trump,”—the “seventh,” `Rev.
10:7`, and `11:15-18`—and after the Lord himself has descended is plainly stated. 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. 12:1`. Nor will we
here, again present the conclusive Bible proof that our Lord came for his Bride in 1874… … For us to enter into and possess all things pertaining to our covenant will include our “blessing all the families of the earth,” and though we expect very soon to be united to our Lord, yet we expect to journey with him until A.D. 1914 (End of “Gentile time”) The Watch Tower November 1880 (p. 1 R152) |
| 1881 Jan | We see too that not only are the harvests of Jewish and gospel ages parallel in point of beginning, but also in
length of duration; theirs being in all 40 years from the time of Jesus anointing [at beginning of their harvest, A.D.
30,] to destruction of Jerusalem, A.D. 70. So, ours, beginning in 1874 closes with the end of the “day of
wrath” and end of the “times of the Gentiles,” 1914 — a similar and parallel
period of 40 years. …Hence there could be forty years of trouble even after 1881 and not interfere with our general position, for this would only carry us seven years beyond 1914, as this now does seven years beyond 1874. We used to think it would be in the midst of a great trouble that we would be changed, but now we do not. Noah went in before it rained, and “the Lord shut him in.” (`Gen. 7:16`.) So now, while all things remain as in “the days of Noah,” we will be changed and then the flood—trouble will break on those who know not and are in darkness. [`1 Thess. 5:1-5`.] The Watch Tower January 1881 (p. 1 R175) |
| 1881 Feb 1 | “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 February 1881 Reprints p. 188)
While this quote admittedly doesn’t use the date 1914, I included it because it has the ring of truth to it. This could and should be a principle to use when evaluating new light. |
| 1881 Mar | It may be observed here, as has often been shown, that the harvest of the Gospel age, as mentioned by the Saviour,
in the parable of tares and wheat, (`Matt. 13`) is parallel to the Jewish harvest, and also has its three elements,
separation, gathering and burning. Then, it was the Jewish nominal church, wheat and chaff, that was disposed of; now,
it is the nominal Gospel church, wheat and tares, that is to be disposed of. The harvest here, according to the
prophetic periods, [see “Day Dawn”] also covers a period of forty years, reaching to and including the year 1914. The Saviour says: “The harvest is the end of the age,” (`verse 39`) and in the `next verse` includes the burning of the tares in the closing work of the age; so let us not overlook the fact that in some sense the age, and therefore the harvest reaches to 1914. The tares are not to be burned after the end of the age, but in the end of the age. According to the order of events, as the Saviour explains them, the shining forth as the sun is not due until after the tares are burned. We believe it must be “Day Dawn” until 1914. Of course the exaltation to glory precedes the shining forth in that glory. The Watch Tower March 1881 (p. 6 R198) |
| 1881 May | The interest felt and expressed relative to this year by most of those interested in the Lord’s coming, and the
fact that we expect SOMETHING, has perhaps led some people, who do not understand our position, to suppose
that we are looking for much the same things as others. We would like to correct this misapprehension once for all, by
stating that we do not expect Jesus to come this year, nor any other year, for we believe
that all time prophecies (bearing upon Jesus’ coming) ended at and before the fall of 1874, and that He came there,
and the second advent is now in progress and will continue during the entire Millennial age. We believe
that his presence will be revealed to the eyes of men’s understandings gradually, during this “Day of the Lord,”
(forty years—from 1874 to 1914,) as it now is to ours; except that we, discern it through
the word of prophecy revealed by the Spirit, and they will recognize his presence by His judgments upon
Nominal Zion, and the World—for the Father “hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” The Watch Tower May 1881 (p. 5 R224) |
| 1881 Jul & Aug | The day of vengeance of our God is the time of fire, or purifying trouble, in which the world and all the church,
except the “little flock,” are to be tried and purged, and made ready for the blessings of the Millennial Age. [It is
this “Day of the Lord,” in which, from prophetic evidences, we believe we have been, since 1874, and which we believe
will continue with increasing severity — first, on nominal Zion, and secondly, upon the world, until 1914,
the first seven years of which, as heretofore shown, are years of favor and end in October of this year.] The Watch Tower July and August 1881 (p. 2 R241) |
| 1882 Jun | When these things now beginning to come to pass were published by us in 1876, men scoffed and asked if we
were prophets. We answered no, but that God’s Word as a telescope showed all these things and more, to the
eye of faith. At the same time we showed that God’s special favor was due to pass away from the nominal Gospel Church
though it would still continue to really consecrated individuals; and that the favor would return again in some form
to the Jew in 1878 as foretold by Paul and the Prophets. (`Rom. 11:25`, `Jer. 16:13,14`.) At God’s appointed time a
Jew happened to be Premier of England; the famous Berlin conference happened to take place in that very year; and it
happened that by that conference, Palestine was put under the protection of Great Britain; and since then it has been
free to the Jew so that he may be a land-owner. Thus in the very year, it happened (?) that privileges and favors came
to the Jew which he had not enjoyed for over 1800 years. Now they are being persecuted and driven out by various
peoples, and many will go and are going to Palestine. Yet bear in mind, “Gentile Times” do not fully end as scripturally shown until 1914 A.D.; consequently their overthrow may be less rapid than would now seem probable. The trouble may be expected as birth pangs to a mother — each succeeding one more severe until full deliverance. This is Paul’s illustration of it. (`1 Thes. 5:3`) It is in fact the birth of a new era or age; and its birth involves pain and death to the present age and its corrupt systems and customs. Let us remember, too, the words of Jesus, that “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Hence, if Gentile Times end in 1914, the Jews will not have an independent national existence before then. This furnishes ample time for their regathering and Jerusalem’s rebuilding on her old heaps. The Watch Tower June 1882 (p. 1 R357) |
| 1882 Jul | As our readers are aware, we understand that we are now living in the days of the voice of the Seventh Angel. The
evidence has already been furnished (and will appear again —in the forthcoming Millennial Day Dawn,) that these
trumpets mentioned by the Revelator and by Paul (`1 Cor. 15:52`; and `1 Thes. 4:16`; and `Rev. 11:15`), are symbolic
of a series of events. The sixth of these, we believe, ended Aug. 11, 1840, since which we have been living under the
“seventh trumpet,” or “last trump,” or “trump of God,” which continues until the kingdoms of this world, by a great
time of trouble, become the kingdoms of our Lord. (`Rev. 11:15`.) This, prophetic Scriptures show, will not
be fully accomplished until A.D. 1914. The Watch Tower July 1882 (p. 2 R368) |
| 1882 Aug | In our next, we expect to show that the first six plagues will be upon the nominal church—Babylon—the results of
which will be to “gather,” or array the people and their rulers against each other, and that this general conflict
between priest and people, rulers and ruled, capital and labor, is the “battle” or conflict represented by the seventh
plague — the conflict of the great day of God Almighty, in which all oppression and bondage shall cease, by the
overthrow of the great and mighty in church and state; (`Rev. 19:18-21`) a preparation for the true King of earth to
exercise his authority. This will not be fully accomplished, as we read prophecy, until A.D. 1914. The Watch Tower August 1882 (p. 5) |
| 1883 Nov | This curse or wrath of the “Day of the Lord” has already been shown as commencing A.D. 1878, lasting 37
years, to 1914, A.D. — as the curse upon the nominal Jewish church was of 37
years’ duration, from A.D. 33, where Jesus gave them up and left their house desolate, till the utter destruction of
their city and nation, A.D. 70. The Watch Tower November 1883 (p. 7 R557) |
| 1884 Mar | Since their chastisement was to be of the same length, as the favor previously shown, it will be 1,845 years. It
began with the crucifixion of Christ, A.D. 33, and the 1,845 years of their punishment, consequently ended in 1878.
But we must not expect too much in a day. As they were 37 years in falling nationally—from A.D. 33, to A.D. 70, when
their national existence terminated: so their rising again to favor and national prominence will
require the same length of time, and will therefore not be complete until 37 years after 1878, or until the
close of 1914. We also find another and distinctly separate line of prophecy
(which we will give at another time), teaching that they will not obtain full control, of Palestine until
A.D. 1914 … Likewise we have seen that resurrection does not merely mean to lift men from the tomb with only a spark of life, but includes this and all the process following it, which brings them up entirely out of the dying condition to the perfection of their human nature. Thus seen, there will be no occasion for others to enter the tomb when the kingdom of heaven has been fully established in the earth. [Which we understand will be about 1914 A.D.] The Great Physician—the Christ—will then be among men in power and the work of healing and restoring all things, but faintly foreshadowed by Jesus’ earthly miracles, will commence. The resurrection work will progress both with those who are in their graves and also those not so far down in the dark “valley of the shadow of death,” and all will have the strength and help provided, by which they may regain the mountain top of human perfection and life which Adam lost the right to through sin, but which right was redeemed for all by Christ. The Watch Tower March 1884 (p. 3 R599) They seem to have claimed people will no longer die once the kingdom of heaven gets fully established in 1914. People will regain human perfection and eternal life. |
| 1888 | We present the Bible evidence proving that the full end of the times of the gentiles, i.e., the full end of their lease of dominion, will be reached in A.D. 1914; and that the date will be the farthest limit of the rule of imperfect men. The Time Is At Hand, 1888, p. 76,77 |
| 1891 | And, with the end of A.D. 1914, what God calls Babylon, and what men call Christendom, will have passed away, as already shown in prophecy. Studies In the Scriptures – Thy Kingdom Come, 1891, p.153 |
| 1889 | 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.” Studies in the Scriptures Vol. 2, p. 99 Be not surprised, then, when in subsequent chapters we present proofs that the setting up of the Kingdom of God is already begun, that it is pointed out in prophecy as due to begin the exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the "battle of the great day of God Almighty” (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1915, with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced. Studies in the Scriptures Vol. 2, p. 101 |
| 1890 Feb | How true it is, therefore, in our day, when we are made to see clearly that the year 1914
will be the full end of the Times of the Gentiles, and that the next twenty-four years, therefore, must
bring about the full consummation. The Watch Tower February 1890 (p. 6 R1187) |
| 1890 Oct | It is astonishing with what rapidity matters are shaping themselves for the great time of trouble predicted in the
Scriptures. When, some fourteen years ago, we presented the Scriptural declaration that the Millennium of peace and
blessing would be introduced by forty years of trouble, beginning slightly in 1874 and increasing until social chaos
should prevail in 1914 — few believed, some scoffed; for the whole cry
then was Peace! Arbitration! Harmony! — hoped for through increasing intelligence. The Watch Tower October 1890 (p. 1 R1243) |
| 1892 Jan 15 | While it was an agreeable surprise to us (in view of the contrary sensational accounts so often published) to find
the situation in Europe as we here describe it — in harmony with what the Scriptures had led us to expect — yet so great is our confidence in the Word of God and in the light of present truth shining upon it,
that we could not have doubted its testimony whatever had been the appearances. The
date of the close of that “battle” is definitely marked in Scripture as October, 1914.
It is already in progress, its beginning dating from October, 1874. Thus far it has been chiefly a battle of words and
a time of organizing forces — capital, labor, armies and secret societies. The Watch Tower January 15, 1892 (p. 22 R1355) |
| 1892 Aug 1 | That the overthrow of the present nominal ecclesiastical systems shall precede the overthrow of the civil powers is
thus indicated — the former continuing only until A.D. 1908 and the latter until A.D. 1914.
[We differ slightly here. The Editor expects from `Rev. 19:20` that the final overthrow of present governments
will be at the same time as the fall of ecclesiasticism and will be followed by from five to seven years of
socialism and anarchy, to end with 1914 by the establishment of Christ’s
Millennial government.] The Watch Tower August 1, 1892 (p. 239 R1434) |
| 1894 Jul 1 | CAN IT BE DELAYED UNTIL 1914? Seventeen years ago people said, concerning the time features presented in MILLENNIAL DAWN, They seem reasonable in many respects, but surely no such radical changes could occur between now and the close of 1914: if you had proved that they would come about in a century or two, it would seem much more probable. What changes have since occurred, and what velocity is gained daily! “The old is quickly passing, and the new is coming in.” Now, in view of recent labor troubles and threatened anarchy, our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They say that they do not see how present conditions can hold out so long under the strain. We see no reason for changing the figures — nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble. We see no reason for changing from our opinion expressed in the View presented in the WATCH TOWER of Jan. 15, ’92. We advise that it be read again. The Watch Tower July 1, 1894 (p. 226 R1677) |
| 1895 Feb 1 | The resignation of the President of France created quite a stir; but the prompt election of his successor, without
commotion or bloodshed, gave evidence that the present social order is not as near its conflagration and wreck as many
have surmised. The Scriptural dates will be found consistent with the facts. A.D. 1914
will be soon enough to expect complete collapse; although radical changes from the
present order, experiments with various impractical social theories, etc., may be expected six or eight years
sooner. The Watch Tower February 1, 1895 (p. 32 R1766) |
| 1895 Feb 15 | While the time to favor Zion began in 1878, the treading down of the Gentiles will
not be at an end until 1914 A.D. The Watch Tower February 15, 1895 (p. 40 R1769) |
| 1895 Dec 15 | “It may be expected that I should make some reply to Prof. Morehead’s strictures upon my publications, called
MILLENNIAL DAWN. When the gentleman says that these deny the bodily resurrection of our Lord, etc., and that they
teach that Christ ‘was here in 1874 and will be here again in 1914,’ he greatly
errs, and, no doubt unwittingly, bears false witness against his neighbor, as the thousands who have read MILLENNIAL
DAWN could testify… The Watch Tower December 15, 1895 (p. 285 R1904) |
| 1896 May 15 | *Starting from this, the evidently correct starting point, the 2520 years of “Gentile Times” will, without
stretching or shrinking, end with September 1914 A.D.;
while, possibly, something may be expected 18 years sooner (1896 A.D.); because the announcement of
“Gentile Times” was made by Daniel, and the dream representing them was given to Nebuchadnezzar, 18 years before God’s
typical Kingdom was taken out of the way of Nebuchadnezzar’s universal sway. — See MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. II., Chap. 4. … the full forty year “day of wrath” from October, 1874, will end Oct. 1914 A.D., the full limit of Gentile Times to tread down Jerusalem and its people. The Watch Tower May 15, 1896 (p. 110 R1979) |
| 1897 Jul 1 | Seeing this trend of events with Israel, we look in another direction to see in what way the Lord will open the
gates to permit their return. And as we can now see a providence and blessing in the retarding of their emigration for
a time, until the divine favor upon the land should center upon it the interest of all Jews, we shall expect ere long
to see the doors opened wide, and that many not only of the poor, but also of the rich of Israel will seek Palestine
as a home. We do not expect, however, as the Zionists do, that they will succeed speedily in organizing an
independent Jewish state. This cannot be until the full end of Gentile Times — in the end of A.D. 1914. See MILLENNIAL DAWN, VOL. II., Chap. 4. The Watch Tower July 1, 1897 (p. 192 R2177) |
| 1898 Mar 15 |
This edition contains a prime example of using a “this is that” methodology to interpret the Bible. THE LENGTH OF THE DAY. The Watch Tower March 15, 1898 (pp. 91-93) |
| 1898 Sep 1 |
And measuring this period, we find that 2520 years will expire with the close of the year 1914, A.D. and consequently that by that time Gentile rule will be no more while God’s Kingdom will then hold sway… … Applying the foregoing measurements of the Jewish age to the Gospel age, beginning it at the time of our Lord’s death and resurrection and the Pentecostal blessing, in the Spring of A.D. 33, we find that the period of 1841-1/2 years from the death of Jacob to the beginning of our Lord’s ministry, would measure from the Spring of A.D. 33 to the Autumn of 1874; and the 1845 years of the Jewish age, from the death of Jacob to the rejection of fleshly Israel, applied here, measuring from the Spring of A.D. 33, would reach to the Spring of 1878; and the 1881-1/2 years from the death of Jacob to the full destruction of Israel’s polity in A.D. 70, finds its correspondence in this Gospel age, by measuring 1881-1/2 years from the Spring of A.D. 33, which would bring us exactly to (Autumn) 1914 A.D. — the very year and time shown us by Daniel’s prophecy to be the full end and limit of the “Gentile times.” Can this be accidental? Nay; it is design. What stronger testimony could be asked by the eye and ear of faith. Surely, anything plainer or clearer would be sight and leave no room for faith. The Watch Tower September 1&15, 1898 (p. 267-8 R2359) |
| 1900 Jan 1 | MORE evident does it become, daily, that our Lord’s declaration, “Babylon is fallen!” does not signify the outward
collapse of “Churchianity;” but that nominal “Christendom” has fallen from divine favor; — just as the fall of
national Judaism from divine favor, at the rejection and crucifixion of Messiah at his first presence, meant
not the collapse at the moment of that religio-political system. The collapse of Judaism came after it had been fallen from
divine favor for 37 years, viz., in A.D. 69-70; and during that interim God’s true
people, “Israelites indeed,” were called out by the voice of the Gospel Dispensation. And just so now, the collapse of nominal Christianity,
“Christendom” or “Babylon,” is not to be expected until A.D. 1914, tho
fallen from favor since 1878. The collapse will be sudden and awful when it does come: and while only the few
realize the fallen-from-grace condition of Babylon in the present, none will
be ignorant of her collapse when it comes. The Watch Tower January 1, 1900 (p. 3 R2553) |
| 1900 Dec 1 |
In a response to a critic of CTR, Alfred E. Seddon writes: With regard to Bro. Russell’s opinions respecting the dates 1874 and 1914, time, of course, will alone prove how far he is right. … Don’t fight for the Lord with the devil’s weapons. If Bro. Russell errs there is Scripture to show it. If Scripture is on his side then I am convinced that after you have shaken off the theological prejudice with which you are apparently possessed, you will have grace enough to admit that Bro. Russell has a right to speak and to be judged by the Word… The Watch Tower December 1, 1900 (p. 367 R2739) |
| 1901 Sep 1 | Our principal reason for looking for a further period of prosperity and inflation is, that in our judgment there is
scarcely time enough to permit a panic and period of general prostration and then another period of prosperity and
inflation and another panic, etc., by the time which we think the Scriptures indicate as the time for the great
cataclysm of trouble; by which the present institutions of Christendom are all to go down in anarchistic chaos. The
culmination of the trouble in October 1914 is clearly marked in the Scriptures;*
and we are bound therefore to expect a beginning of that severe trouble not later than 1910; — with severe spasms
between now and then. The Watch Tower September 1, 1901 (p. 292 R2876) |
| 1902 Mar 15 | Even the surface evidences are that human empire has nearly run its course, and that heavenly empire is needed to
deliver the world from its own selfishness. But the sure word of prophecy, if carefully scrutinized by the Watcher,
reveals still more. It shows that the next universal empire will be the Kingdom of God’s dear Son; and further the
interesting fact that the total lease of power to the Gentiles is in the Scriptures known as “the times of the
Gentiles;” and that these “times” are seven times, and that each of the seven times is a period of three hundred and
sixty years, and that consequently the complete period of the seven times is 2520 years. Hence the Watchers may reckon
that Gentile rule will terminate and Immanuel’s rule be fully set up in 2520 years from the time the Lord removed the
diadem from Zedekiah, saying: “Oh thou profane and wicked prince,…take off the diadem, remove the crown; I will
overturn, overturn, overturn it, until he comes whose right it is, and I will give it unto him.” — `Ezek.
21:25-27`. The period of overturning of the Lord’s typical Kingdom and the removal of the crown must correspond to the
period of the lease of empire to the Gentiles and be 2520 years. And measuring this period, we find that 2520 years will
expire with the close of the year 1914, A.D. and consequently that by that
time Gentile rule will be no more, while God’s Kingdom will then hold sway. … Now note the time correspondencies. The Jewish age, from the death of Jacob to the death of Christ, was 1845 years long—to the beginning of our Lord’s ministry 1841-1/2 years long, and to the time of the utter destruction of their nation, in A.D. 70, 1881-1/2 years long. Notice how the Gospel age corresponds to this. The Gospel age did not begin with our Lord’s birth: it began after our Lord’s death and resurrection, when he commissioned his disciples to “preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Our Lord’s previous work during the three and a half years of his ministry was the offering of the Kingdom to the fleshly house, to test them, and to prove that they were unready to receive the true Kingdom.) Applying the foregoing measurements of the Jewish age to the Gospel age, beginning at the time of our Lord’s death and resurrection and the Pentecostal blessing, in the Spring of A.D. 33, we find that the period of 1841-1/2 years from the death of Jacob to the beginning of our Lord’s ministry, would measure from the Spring of A.D. 33 to the Autumn of 1874; and the 1845 years of the Jewish age, from the death of Jacob to the rejection of fleshly Israel, applied here, measuring from the Spring of A.D. 33, would reach to the Spring of 1878; and the 1881-1/2 years from the death of Jacob to the full destruction of Israel’s polity in A.D. 70, finds its correspondency in this Gospel age, by measuring 1881-1/2 years from the Spring of A.D. 33, which would bring us exactly to (Autumn) 1914 A.D.— the very year and time shown us by Daniel’s prophecy to be the full end and limit of the “Gentile times.” Can this be accidental? Nay; it is design. What stronger testimony could be asked by the eye and ear of faith? Surely, anything plainer or clearer would be sight, and leave no room for faith. The Watch Tower March 15, 1902 (p. 89 R2977) |
| 1903 Feb 1 | So far as the Scriptures guide us, we expect the climax of the great time
of anarchous trouble in October, 1914. Our opinion is that so great a trouble
would necessarily last in violent form at least three or four years before reaching that climax. Hence, we
expect strenuous times by or before October, 1910. And this agrees well with the corresponding and typical
trouble with which the Jewish age ended. The Watch Tower February 1, 1903 (p. 36 R3141) |
| 1903 May 1 |
CTR was prepared to acknowledge anyone who agreed with him, even astrologers! Boy, did they get the significance of 1914 wrong. “WE seriously question all the claims of Astrology; yet the following—from whatever source the suggestions come, even though of the Adversary himself—seem remarkably true to our expectations based upon the Word of the Lord. For this reason alone we present them here,—as follows:—“Saturn is the representative of the great motive power that has dominated the mind of man up to the present time. The great organizations of Capital, attracting now so much attention, are in reality the last great struggle of this Saturn-god to save his throne. But his efforts will be futile, yet far from useless, for he is blindly doing service for a still greater God in the same way as the other planets have contributed blindly to Saturn’s glory. “Jupiter, representing law, religion and morality, has been perforce subservient to Saturn’s greater and more potent force. It explains why the church, the law, the charitable and educational institutions have contributed to increasing the power and prestige of the worldly and material Saturn, whose selfish monopolizing material nature must be disposed of and made tributary to a higher, nobler force that will carry out the work of human evolution. “Jupiter must also transfer his allegiance from the grasping Saturn to the newly discovered factor that stands for universal brotherhood; namely, Uranus. When Uranus and Jupiter meet in the humane sign of Aquarius in 1914, the long-promised era will have made a fair start in the work of setting man free to work out his own salvation, and will insure the ultimate realization of dreams and ideals of all poets and sages in history. “Uranus is preparing the way for Neptune, who symbolizes Love in its very highest form—the fulfilling of the law. By this, we see that Socialism, or whatever the new order may be called, will not and can not be the rule of the common or ignorant masses, but the leadership of the very highest developed members of the human family. “In 1903 Jupiter will be in the Sign of Pisces— sign of the feet, or understanding, and the synthesis of the new religion is Love;—Love, that words cannot define. We are nearing a condition where “masters” will be unknown—where humanity will instinctively conform to the injunction, ‘Call no man master, neither be ye called master.’ “Note—Uranus: Great commotions are expected when it shall take its ascendancy over Saturn.” The Watch Tower May 1, 1903 (p. 131 R3184) |
| 1903 Oct 1 | It will be vain for Zionists to hope to establish an independent government in Palestine. None of the civilized
nations would favor putting the Land of Promise wholly into their control; and if they did God would not favor it.
Palestine will be “trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be filled full”—viz., October,
1914, A.D. By that time the heavenly Kingdom will be in power and the ancient
worthies—Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the holy prophets—will be resurrected and constitute the
earthly representatives of the spiritual and invisible Kingdom of Christ and his Bride—the Gospel Church. The Watch Tower October 1, 1903 (p. 373 R3249) |
| 1904 Jul 1 | UNIVERSAL ANARCHY—JUST BEFORE OR AFTER OCTOBER, 1914 A.D. WHAT seems at first glance the veriest trifle and wholly unrelated to the matter, has changed our conviction respecting the time when universal anarchy may be expected in accord with the prophetic numbers. We now expect that the anarchistic culmination of the great time of trouble which will precede the Millennial blessings will be after October, 1914 A.D.—very speedily thereafter, in our opinion—“in one hour,” “suddenly.” The Watch Tower July 1, 1904 (p. 197 R3389) Note: this is the first mention of a time of anarchy coming after Oct. 1914. Was it a correct prediction? (WWI began July 28, 1914 but it lasted until Nov 11, 1918) |
| 1904 Aug 1 | FEAR NOT, O ZION! IN a recent issue we showed that the universal anarchy should not be expected before October, 1914 A.D. We have recently heard of two dear brethren who, not grasping the subject very clearly, got the impression that we in that article were declaring, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” Other new readers, not well informed, may possibly need a further word to show them that neither the time of the coming of our Lord, nor of the establishment of his Kingdom, are in any degree involved in the date of the final anarchy. …The Kingdom will be fully established or “set up” by October, A.D. 1914, as already pointed out… So then, dear friends, it is evident that the coming of universal anarchy after the “harvest,” after October 1914 A.D., has nothing whatever to do with either the presence of the Reaper or the setting up of his Kingdom… The Watch Tower August 1, 1904 (p. 230 R3405) |
| 1904 Aug 15 | THE HARVEST AND GENTILE TIMES. QUESTION.—If the “Times of the Gentiles” can be changed as suggested in the July TOWER, so that the anarchy will follow 1914 A.D., instead of preceding it, might not similar changes be made in respect to all the various lines of prophetic time-proof set forth in MILLENNIAL DAWN, Vols. II. and III? Answer.—You are entirely in error. Not a figure, not a date, not a prophecy is in any sense or degree affected by the article to which you refer. Indeed the harmony and unity of the whole is the more fully demonstrated. Read again the article you refer to, “Universal Anarchy, etc.” (July 1 issue), and you surely will see this. If it is not apparent to you upon a further study let us know the particular point of your difficulty and we will endeavor to make it plain. Note the mechanical analogy used in the next paragraph. The harmony of the prophetic periods is one of the strongest proofs of the correctness of our Bible chronology. They fit together like the cog-wheels of a perfect machine. To change the chronology even one year would destroy all this harmony,—so accurately are the various proofs drawn together in the parallels between the Jewish and Gospel ages. It would affect the ending of the Jubilee Cycles, the 1335 days, the 2300 days and the Times of the Gentiles, throwing out of gear all the wonderful harmonies of these in the “Parallel Dispensations.”We commend to you a fresh and careful study of the presentations of DAWNS, Vols. II. and III., on these points. Evidently the time features of Present Truth all stand or all fall together, and we see no weakness or signs of their falling: on the contrary everything throughout the world is confirmatory of them. And while it is true that the great mass of Present Truth is in many respects entirely independent of our “times and seasons,” nevertheless they are so related that the latter are almost necessary to explain the former. For instance, without recognizing that we are now living in the “harvest” of the Gospel Age and in the parousia of the Son of Man, how could we account for our great increase in knowledge respecting the various features of the divine plan?
Note the circular reasoning in the previous sentence. …Unlike error, these things stand investigation and the more searching the investigation the more satisfactory will the results be, we believe, to those who are in the right attitude of heart — to those who seek not to cavil, but to know the mind of the Lord. The Watch Tower August 15, 1904 (p. 250 R3415) |
| 1904 Sep 15 | From this standpoint we would be inclined to view the remaining experiences of Elisha after he had crossed Jordan as
typifying still another class—a restitution class amongst men under the restitution conditions which we
believe will begin to obtain from October, 1914 A.D., and onward, represented
probably in the ancient worthies, who will then, as the earthly representatives of the heavenly
Kingdom, begin to exercise a guiding and controlling influence in the affairs of mankind. The Watch Tower September 15, 1904 (p. 280 R3429) |
| 1904 Oct 1 | THE TIME OF HARVEST. AUTHOR of MILLENNIAL DAWN and Editor of ZION’s WATCH TOWER:— Dear Sir,—Since you have changed your views respecting Gentile Times let me suggest the possibility of still another error. You count the seventy years Babylonian captivity of the Jews as beginning with the overthrow of Zedekiah, Judah’s last king, but I notice that “Bishop Usher’s Chronology,” given in the margins of our Common Version Bibles and based on “Ptolemy’s Canon,” begins that seventy-year period nineteen years earlier—namely, in the first year of Nebuchadnezzar, when he took captive Daniel and other prominent Jews and laid the Jews’ country under tribute. Now if this, the common reckoning, be correct, it would make the Times of the Gentiles to begin nineteen years later than you estimate, namely, in B.C. 587, instead of B.C. 606;—and this in turn would make those times end nineteen years later than you have reckoned,—in October, A.D. 1933, instead of October, 1914. What do you say to this? Are you humble enough to acknowledge that I have struck some new light, and that you and all DAWN readers have been “all wrong,” walking in darkness? We reply that there are too many ifs in the proposition, [there is only one “if” above!] and that they are all abundantly contradicted by facts and Scripture, and are therefore not worthy the slightest consideration. (1) The brother errs in supposing that we have changed our view of “Gentile Times.” Those “times” or years are 2520, with a definite beginning in B.C. 606, and a definite ending, A.D. 1914. We know of no reason for changing a figure: to do so would spoil the harmonies and parallels so conspicuous between the Jewish and Gospel ages. The only “change” in view is that the anarchy to follow the ending of those “times” will not shorten them; and that the forty years “harvest” of the Church will be complete and not be interfered with by the world-wide anarchy to follow it. This, as we have shown, makes the parallel with the Jewish age still more accurate; for the Jewish harvest of forty years ended in A.D. 69—prior to the complete anarchy amongst the Jews which came the year following.The brother seems to further misunderstand us to teach that no great trouble will come before October, 1914 A.D. This is incorrect: we expect the great trouble of `Rev. 13:15-17` before that date; but it will not be the world’s trouble, the anarchy which will cause the “earth,” society, to melt with fervent heat. It will be a trouble peculiar to the Lord’s consecrated ones. In the past these two distinctly separate troubles were less clearly discerned than now. And this is just what we should expect—that the light shining more and more unto the perfect day would not be contradictory, but establish and clarify the truths already shown us, including the times and seasons.—`Dan. 12:4,10`; `I Thes. 5:1-4`. The Watch Tower October 1, 1904 (p. 296 R3437) |
| 1904 Oct 15 | Without any positive Scripture to fix this matter, it is our expectation that the resurrection of the
Ancient Worthies will occur about 1914, or shortly thereafter, while we
understand that the Great Company will not be complete for at least a little while after these — some of them passing
through the great time of trouble, of anarchy, following the end of Gentile times. The Watch Tower October 15, 1904 (p. 313 R3445) |
| 1904 Nov 15 |
This passage contains 2 diagrams and a table of number calculations which support his chronology. This diagram views the Millennium as beginning with the end of “Gentile Times,” October, 1914,
and shows that the intervening space, 5040 years, is exactly twice “seven times;” and more than this, it marks the
turning point as B.C. 606, as well as the ending point A.D. 1914. Does
it not appear that the Lord so arranged this matter, and that he has now brought it to our attention, to be
distributed to the household of faith for their comfort and encouragement at an opportune time? It surely does. |
| 1904 Dec 1 | It is to be accomplished in the day of trouble, shortly after October, 1914, we believe. The Watch Tower December 1, 1904 (p. 365 R3469) |
| 1905 Feb 15 | We have seen the financial cycles outlined, and consider it remarkable. We mention it as an outside corroboration of
about what we are expecting inferentially from the prophetic testimony, viz., that October, 1914,
will date the cataclysm of Anarchy in a world-wide sweep, which implies that a panic, the greatest ever known, would
occur somewhere about 1911 and lead up to the “time of trouble, such as was not since there was a nation.” The Watch Tower February 15, 1905 (p. 52 R3506) |
| 1905 May 15 | Whoever overlooks the supervision of our present Lord in the affairs of the nations and churches of “Christendom,”
ignores the principal factors in the momentous events through which the world is now passing, and which will culminate
in anarchy, worldwide, by the end of A.D., 1914, according to our reading of the prophetic
Word. The Watch Tower May 15, 1905 (p. 149 R3558) |
| 1905 Jun 15 | DEAR BRO. RUSSELL:—The Lord has enabled me to see another remarkable confirmation of the Parallel Dispensations,
teaching that 1914 A.D. is the date when Christendom will lose its crown, will be finally
overthrown, and when he, “whose right it is,” will take his power and reign. The Watch Tower June 15, 1905 (p. 179 R3574) |
| 1905 Sep 1 | It is the growing impression among diplomats that Emperor William II. regards himself as a “man of destiny,” another
Napoleon I. He is accredited with a desire to form a combination of the governments of Europe either as United States
of Europe or as a Fifth Universal Monarchy. His ambition is a “germ” which the Lord can make use of at any time to
foment strife-war. True, he speaks for peace, but was not the Czar of Russia the instigator of the Hague
peace conference? Very evidently there will be more war ere long. The nations
apparently will be weakened preparatory to the great cataclysm of anarchy which we understand to be due to commence
October, 1914. The Watch Tower September 1, 1905 (p. 262 R3620) It seems that he was right about noting that war was on the horizon. |
| 1905 Oct 1 | …we recently read the predictions of some noted astrologers, whose information we credit to the spirit demons and
not to ability to read destiny in the stars. One of these in particular closely touches dates and incidents on the
line of our Scriptural expectations as follows:— ASTROLOGICAL PREDICTIONS OF OUR TIME “In a dozen publications of this present springtime over all Europe astrologers agree that an extraordinary period is approaching. In the first place Saturn enters the sign of the Fishes in April, 1905, to remain there during 1906 and 1907. He will come out only in July, 1908. And these conjunctions, most rare in astrology, promise to be particularly hard on France. …“For France, at least, peace will not be reestablished until 1914, when a ‘warrior king’—‘he who is to establish the reign of good’—will set things to rights. This ‘Caesar imperator,’ realizing the astral reproduction of Napoleon I., will commence to manifest his presence in 1914, and will be definitely crowned in 1916 or 1917. Until then—alas! poor France!”—Sterling Heilig. The Watch Tower October 1, 1905 (p. 292 R3637) CTR quotes an astrologer because they agree on some things; except he got it so wrong for France. “peace in 1914?” |
| 1905 Dec 1 | Let us remember to expect various outbreaks at intervals, but that the general collapse of all governments in
anarchy is not to be expected before the close of 1914 A.D. What has occurred in Russia is
but a circumstance compared to what we expect at that time; but it gives us a picture, nevertheless. … This movement has put the Socialists on the defensive. Already they have lost heavily in some electoral districts. The effect will be to measurably check the movement for a little while, giving it a chance to grow in other quarters. We have every confidence that the end of the “times of the Gentiles” in Oct., 1914, will find Socialism not only fully developed but changed to Anarchism, as the Word implies. The Watch Tower December 1, 1905 (p. 355 R3671) |
| 1906 Sep 15 | Thus it was that thirty years ago we were preaching the regathering of natural Israel to Palestine before A.D., 1914. The Watch Tower September 15, 1906 (p. 291 R3854) |
| 1906 Oct 1 | From our standpoint, then, the apostles and others of the Church have already passed the inspection that is here
described, or rather the judgment of the Church is in progress and the decisions and rewards will not be given until
the last members shall have passed beyond the vail to render their accounts; and this we understand will be
accomplished some time before October, 1914—quite possibly sooner. The Watch Tower October 1, 1906 (p. 317 R3871) |
| 1906 Dec 1 | Thus, in their due time, matters are shaping around for the termination of Gentile rule in anarchy by the appointed
time—by October, 1914, when their lease or permit will expire. The Watch Tower December 1, 1906 (p. 371 R3898) |
|
It seems that from this point of time CTR starts to address the possibility of having been wrong in his prophecies. He denies that he spoke as if he claimed infallibility, but is that what a reasonable mind would say, given his earlier statements that the dates were from God and couldn’t be changed? Earlier he never used the words “based on faith” [at least in the portions I’ve listed above; he could have possibly said it elsewhere.] |
|
| 1907 Oct 1 | KNOWLEDGE AND FAITH REGARDING CHRONOLOGY A DEAR Brother inquires, Can we feel absolutely sure that the Chronology set forth in the DAWN-STUDIES is correct?—that the harvest began in A.D. 1874 and will end in A.D. 1914 in a world-wide trouble which will overthrow all present institutions and be followed by the reign of righteousness of the King of Glory and his Bride, the Church? We answer, as we have frequently done before in the DAWNS and TOWERS and orally and by letter, that we have never claimed our calculations to be infallibly correct; we have never claimed that they were knowledge, nor based upon indisputable evidence, facts, knowledge; our claim has always been that they are based on faith. We have set forth the evidences as plainly as possible and stated the conclusions of faith we draw from them, and have invited others to accept as much or as little of them as their hearts and heads could endorse. Many have examined these evidences and have accepted them; others equally bright do not endorse them. Those who have been able to accept them by faith seem to have received special blessings, not merely along the line of prophetic harmonies, but along all other lines of grace and truth. We have not condemned those who could not see, but have rejoiced with those whose exercise of faith has brought them special blessings—“Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear.” Possibly some who have read the DAWNS have presented our conclusions more strongly than we; but if so that is their own responsibility. We have urged and still urge that the dear children of God read studiously what we have presented;—the Scriptures, the applications and interpretations—and then form their own judgments. We neither urge nor insist upon our views as infallible, nor do we smite or abuse those who disagree; but regard as “Brethren” all sanctified believers in the precious blood. … We remind you again that the weak points of chronology are supplemented by the various prophecies which interlace with it in so remarkable a manner that faith in the chronology almost becomes knowledge that it is correct. The changing of a single year would throw the beautiful parallels out of accord; because some of the prophecies measure from B.C., some from A.D., and some depend upon both. We believe that God meant those prophecies to be understood “in due time”; we believe that we do understand them now— and they speak to us through this chronology. Do they not thereby seal the chronology? They do to faith, but not otherwise. … But let us suppose a case far from our expectations: suppose that A.D. 1915 should pass with the world’s affairs all serene and with evidence that the “very elect” had not all been “changed” and without the restoration of natural Israel to favor under the New Covenant. (`Rom. 11:12,15`.) What then? Would not that prove our chronology wrong? Yes, surely! And would not that prove a keen disappointment? Indeed it would! It would work irreparable wreck to the Parallel Dispensations and Israel’s Double, and to the Jubilee calculations, and to the prophecy of the 2300 days of Daniel, and to the epoch called “Gentile Times,” and to the 1260, 1290, and 1335 days, the latter of which marking the beginning of the “harvest” so well fulfilled its prediction, “Oh, the blessedness of him that waiteth and cometh unto the 1335 days!” None of these would be available longer. What a blow that would be! One of the strings of our “harp” would be quite broken! However, dear friends, our harp would still have all the other strings in tune and that is what no other aggregation of God’s people on earth could boast. We could still worship a God so great and grand that none other could compare with him. … If, therefore, dearly beloved, it should turn out that our chronology is all wrong, we may conclude that with it we have had much advantage everyway. If the attainment of our glorious hopes and present joys in the Lord should cost us such disappointment as our friends fear, we should rejoice and count it cheap! The Watch Tower October 1, 1907 (p. 294-6 R4067-8) |
| 1908 Jan 1 | To our understanding of the Bible, as set forth in the volumes of SCRIPTURE STUDIES, this harvest work has been in
progress since October, 1874, and will be completed within forty years—by October, 1914.
Within that time we fully expect that all the wheat will be gathered into the garner, glorified, and that the tares
will be gathered into bundles, if indeed by that time their burning will not have commenced. We do not understand the
burning of the tares will be with literal fire, nor that their destruction will mean the destruction of the
individuals, but merely that they will cease to exist as imitation wheat and take their true stand with the world as
members thereof, without part or lot in the inheritance of the “saints in light.” The Watch Tower January 1, 1908 (p. 4 R4110) |
| 1909 Feb 15 | A similar work, the Harvesting of this age, we understand has been in progress since 1878, and will terminate in 1914, with the beginning of a great time of trouble upon Christendom, corresponding to and
antityping the trouble which destroyed the Jewish nation. The Watch Tower February 15, 1909 (p. 57 R4337) |
| 1909 Oct 15 | This period of 2520 years, or seven symbolic times, will expire, according to our reckoning (DAWN-STUDIES, Vol. II.,
Chap. IV.) in October, 1914. In other words, the period of Gentile times, of Gentile
supremacy in the world, is the exact parallel to the period of Israel’s loss of the kingdom and waiting for it at the
hands of Messiah. The Watch Tower October 15, 1909 (p. 314 R4497) |
| 1909 Dec 15 | While our faith and hopes would be equally clear and logical whether this age ends in October, 1914,
or a century later, nevertheless our expectation that “Gentile Times” will conclude October, 1914,
undoubtedly has a stimulating effect upon our hearts and influences all of life’s interests and helps to “wean” us
from earthly joys and ambitions and to set our affections on things above! The Watch Tower December 15, 1909 (p. 371 R4531) |
| 1910 Sep 1 | But aside from Mr. Spreckels’ prophecy respecting a panic this year our readers know from the STUDIES IN THE
SCRIPTURES to expect ere long the fulfillment of the great Redeemer’s words, “There shall be a time of trouble such as
never was since there was a nation—no, nor ever shall be after.” (`Dan. 12:1`; `Matt. 24:21`.) That awful trouble,
however, we do not expect before October, 1914. Whatever may come in the interim will be but
the rumblings preceding the great climacteric shock, before which will fall all earthly institutions; The Watch Tower September 1, 1910 (p. 276 R4671) It is interesting that CTR labels Mr. Spreckels’ opinion as a prophecy. The reason must be because he spoke about future events. Yet, does he equally admit that his own pronouncements are prophecy? |
| 1910 Oct 15 | We are living in a momentous time. Much is accomplished in one year. What may we expect by October, 1914,
the date of the termination of Gentile times? Let us not speculate, but let us keep awake and mark
the stately steppings of our present Lord amongst the affairs of mankind—leading onward to the inauguration of the
glorious Kingdom of the Son of God, and, through it, to the blessing of Israel and all the nations of the earth. … By a system of deductions based upon the prophecies of old, the pastor declared that the return of the kingdom of the Jews might occur at so near a period as the year 1914. Persecution would be over and peace and universal happiness would triumph. The Watch Tower October 15, 1910 (p. 330 R4701) |
| 1910 Dec 15 | Supplementary Report from Foreign Branches, January 1. THE nearer we get to the grand consummation of our hopes, the more swiftly do the years go by, and the more interesting and meaningful do they become to us. If we realize our hopes, four more years will see the “elect” little flock of God all gathered; and the world’s time of trouble begun, in which brethren of the “great company” will share and wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Is it any wonder that we all feel a fervency of zeal? Surely not! We admit, as we have always done, that “We walk by faith and not by sight”—that our chronology is not indisputable—that our opinion of it is fallible—that it is not clear to us just how all of the “little flock” can pass into death so speedily! Nevertheless, we rejoice in faith and love and zeal. And this year’s Report shows that the dear friends everywhere are of one mind and of one heart on the subject. They have accomplished this year exploits in the publishing of the Truth which put all other years in the shade in many particulars. The sentiment of all seems to accord with our own—that the chronology (and the prophetic times and seasons which so wonderfully interlock with it and seem to prove it) has brought great joy and refreshment, even if later on it should appear that we have not located the end of the Times of the Gentiles exactly. Their end is surely near, if not on October 1st, 1914, as we still believe. At any rate, even if we were in the same “outer darkness” as the world on subjects chronological, have we not more than all others to rejoice us in respect to The Divine Plan of the Ages? We surely have the only satisfying portion we know of, anywhere. The Watch Tower December 15, 1910 (p. 387 R4726) |
| 1911 Jan 1 | WAS THE ALARM CLOCK RIGHT? Chronology (time prophecies in general) was evidently not intended to give God’s people accurate chronological information all the way down the path of the centuries. Evidently it is intended more to serve as an alarm clock to awaken and energize the Lord’s people at the proper time. We have no fault to find with the chronology, nor with the prophetic periods built upon it, as already presented to our readers in STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES. We would not know how to improve on the statements therein presented if the books were to be written today. But let us suppose, for instance, that October, 1914, should pass and that no serious fall of Gentile power would occur. What would this prove or disprove? It would not disprove any feature of the Divine Plan of the Ages. The ransom-price finished at Calvary would still stand the guarantee of the ultimate fulfillment of the great Divine Program for human restitution. The “high calling” of the Church to suffer with the Redeemer and to be glorified with him as his members or as his Bride would still be the same. There would still be the two salvations—the one on the spirit plane to which we are called now; the other to the human plane under the terms of the New Covenant during Messiah’s blessed reign. It would still be true that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. It would still be true that it is for the called to be faithful, in order to be chosen—to make their calling and their election sure. The only thing effected by the chronology would be the time for the accomplishment of these glorious hopes for the Church and for the world. WE ARE IN THE MORNING OF THE NEW DISPENSATION Suppose that our chronological calculations (never set forth as infallible) should prove to be fallible and in error. Our conclusion would merely be that the error could not be very great. Outward signs of restitution multiplying on every hand tell us that the rising of the Sun of Righteousness is near at hand. Church Federation tendencies attest the same thing, corroborating the Scriptures respecting the conditions which will prevail at the very closing of this age. The movement amongst the Jews similarly implies an awakening and a preparation for Messiah much in harmony with what we must expect in the close of this age. The stress along the lines of social, political and financial affairs all indicate that the great time of trouble and anarchy with which this age will end cannot be far off—cannot lie much, if any, beyond October, 1914. And if that date pass it would merely prove that our chronology, our “alarm clock,” went off a little before the time. Would we consider it a great calamity if our alarm clock awakened us a few moments earlier in the morning of some great day full of joy and pleasure? Surely not! Rather we would say that we were glad that the alarm went off early and that we were around early, so that we could see, appreciate and enjoy more. We are in the morning of the New Dispensation. We give thanks to the Lord daily for the privilege of living in this wonderful time—and for the privilege of having our eyes of understanding opened to appreciate the Divine Plans for this day. If, then, it should prove eventually that the crisis of earthly government will not be reached by the end of 1914, should we not be very faithful anyway, and remember that had it not been for that alarm clock which helped to awaken us from the worldly stupor, we might not yet have been sufficiently awake to appreciate and enjoy the wonderful spiritual blessings which daily crown our lives? The Watch Tower January 1, 1911 (p. 4-5 R4737) |
| 1911 Jan 15 | SOME INTERESTING LETTERS PASTOR C. T. RUSSELL:— Your remarks in the January 1 TOWER in regard to 1914 are very sensible. There is no flaw in the time prophecies concerning 1914 as set forth in the DAWNS, but I would like to see an article from your pen on the subject—“What can we say we KNOW about 1914, and what do we merely infer or guess?” There are only two things stated in the time prophecies concerning 1914. One is that the lease of power granted to the Gentile nations expires then, and the other that the Harvest Period of the Gospel Age ends there. Every thing in addition to these two bare facts is only an inference or guess founded on these facts. The Scriptures nowhere declare that the time of trouble either begins or ends in 1914, nor that the saints, the Bride class, will all be taken away at that time. These are only inferences, and no difference how reasonable these inferences seem to us, we cannot know whether they are correct or not until after that date is past. The case is the same with all that has been claimed for 1914, with the exception of the two things mentioned above. The fact that God’s lease of power to the Gentile nations expires in 1914 does not necessarily imply that they will all fall to pieces in that year. Gentile nations existed for centuries before God gave them a lease of power; and as for anything we actually know they may continue to exist for a short time after that lease expires. Both of these events the time prophecies show are due in 1914—namely, the expiration of the Gentile lease and the completion of the Harvest Period; and yet nothing may happen in that year which the daily papers would specially record. The affairs of the world might apparently go on uninterrupted just the same as before. On the other hand, our inferences may all prove to be correct, improbable as they now appear to the world, for the Scriptures state, over and over again, that the overthrow of Babylon is to come suddenly. But we need to keep our heads level and not say we know things which in reality we only infer or guess. The earthly phase of the Kingdom will be established later than 1914, thus leaving a period after the expiration of the Gentile lease for the fall of the nations and the gradual establishment of the Kingdom on earth. As it appears now this period will be necessary, for several important events, such as the gathering of the Jews in Palestine; the attack on them there by God (`Ezek. 38`), the miraculous overthrow of Gog, which will demonstrate to the world that Christ’s Kingdom has come (`Ezek. 38:23`; `39:21`). It also gives time for the preaching of the Elisha class, whoever they may prove to be. The only thing plainly prophesied in regard to the Elisha class is that they are to take up the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom when the Elijah class cease preaching, and it seems that that must be done after 1914. Loyally yours in our dear Redeemer and King, DAVID P. JACKSON. The Watch Tower January 15, 1911 (p. 29 R4751) |
| 1911 May 15 | LOOSING THE FOUR WINDS OF HEAVEN OUR recent visit to Europe revealed no more unrest amongst the people than our previous one. Indeed, we were surprised to find so many evidences of prosperity everywhere and so few manifestations of violent discontent. Some residents confirmed this view, while others thought that there is a deep undercurrent of discontent not manifest on the surface. Our readers know that for some years we have been expecting this Age to close with an awful time of trouble, and we expect it to break out with suddenness and force not long after October, 1914, which, so far as we can understand the Scriptures, is the date at which the Times of the Gentiles —the lease of earth’s dominions to the Gentiles—will expire; the time, therefore, when Messiah’s Kingdom will be due to begin its exercise of power, which the Scriptures declare will dash the nations in pieces as a potter’s vessel. By that time we think the Scriptures indicate that the Church will be complete and will have passed beyond the second veil into the “most holy” and to perfection of spirit nature by a share in the First Resurrection. Nevertheless, how this is all to come about, as we have heretofore declared, is not plain to us—how it will be that all of the Church class will die before that date, changed in the moment of their dying, “in the twinkling of an eye.” The Watch Tower May 15, 1911 (p. 156 R4822) |
| 1911 Jun 15 | And in harmony with this parallelism, October, 1914, will witness the full end of Babylon,
“as a great millstone cast into the sea,” utterly destroyed as a system. The Watch Tower June 15, 1911 (p. 190 R4842) |
| 1911 Aug 1 | THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES When God removed the typical kingdom of Israel and His typical throne in the world, as represented by David’s family, he gave over the earthly dominion to the Gentiles; and this lease of power, as represented in Daniel’s prophecy, was to continue for “seven times”—2,520 years. In other words, during the same period that Israel would be having “seven times” of tribulation and subjection, the Gentiles would be having “seven times” of prosperity, and both will terminate at the same time—in 2,520 years from B.C. 606—October, A.D. 1914, the close of the Gentile Times. If any be disposed to dispute the exactness of these figures we need have no quarrel, but simply say that any difference in the calculation must of necessity be but small—possibly one year, possibly twenty years—but in so long a period how trifling would be such a variation. What we are specially interested in is the facts of the case, and what will occur when this long period terminates. (1) The facts are as already noted in Israel’s case, a national subserviency for nearly seven hundred years, and a national destruction for more than 1,800 years; and so far as the Gentiles are concerned, a prosperity for 2,520 years, as follows:—for (a) Babylon, the first Universal Empire; (b) Medo-Persia, the second Universal Empire; (c) Grecia, the third Universal Empire, and (d) Rome, the fourth Universal Empire. According to the Scriptural view of the matter this fourth Universal Empire is still represented in the Papacy and the various so-called Christian governments of the world. These have practiced and prospered during this long period of Israel’s subjection and the overturned condition of God’s typical kingdom. (2) The next thing in order, following the expiration of the “seven times” (2,520 years, to 1915 A.D.), will be the establishment of Messiah’s Kingdom and its recognition by the children of Israel, and the blessing of all the families of the earth. The date, October, 1914, and the setting up of Christ’s Kingdom, let us remember, have nothing whatever to do with the burning of the world, as some surmise. On the contrary, they have to do with the blessing of the world… The Watch Tower August 1, 1911 (p. 238 R4867) |
| 1912 Jul 15 | OUR READERS know better than do the majority of people the meaning of the present social unrest. Many of them have
been studying this subject with us from the standpoint of the Divine Plan of the Ages for more than thirty years.
Steadily the unrest which the Bible predicted for the present time—the Harvest of this Age— is culminating. Many know
our expectations respecting October, 1914—that thereabouts the Time of Trouble will gain
full headway and sweep the social structure as a besom of destruction. … A little more than two years remain before the climax of trouble we anticipate—if we are exactly right about the time. If we are not exactly right, surely we are not far astray, our enemies themselves being the witnesses. The Watch Tower July 15, 1912 (p. 223 R5061) |
| 1912 Oct 1 | We sought specially to impress the necessity for character development on the part of all hoping to share Christ’s
Kingdom. We emphasized the brevity of the time for so great a work, provided our understanding of God’s times and
seasons be correct. We freely admitted, as we have always done, that we are walking by faith and not by sight. But we
pointed out that the evidences seem more and more to corroborate our expectations. At the same time we suggested that
should our expectations for October, 1914, not be realized—for years thereafter—this delay
would not invalidate God’s Great Plan nor our faith therein. Our consecration vow calls for faithfulness, “even unto
death”—whenever death may come. The Watch Tower October 1, 1912 (p. 310 R5109) |
| 1912 Oct 15 | THE PRESENT A WONDERFUL TIME The closing scenes of the Gospel Age will be the most remarkable of the world’s history. The Church will then be completed. We are not at liberty to guess when the end of the trouble will be. Whether all of the trouble will come in the next two or three years we do not know. But we think that the most serious part of the trouble will occupy a very short time. Let us remember that we are living in most wonderful times. More can be accomplished in one month now than could have been done in years some time ago—more in one hour than in days formerly. We are still in the waiting attitude, so that the Lord can indicate His will in the matter to us. We believe that the year 1915 will be even more wonderful than the present. We fully believe that the year 1914 will see the end of the Gentile Times, for we cannot find even one flaw in our Bible chronology. But we do not claim infallibility. To err is human. If, therefore, the Father permits us to blunder in respect to His Word in this matter, nevertheless, He will undoubtedly have a great blessing for us. And if it should be that the year 1914 should not mark the close of the Gentile Times, we would still believe that the time could not be very far distant; for the nearer we come to that time, the nearer we see the fulfilment of the things which the Scriptures indicate will then occur. The Watch Tower October 15, 1912 (p. 327 R5119) |
| 1912 Dec 1 | There surely is room for slight differences of opinion on this subject and it behooves us to grant each other the
widest latitude. The lease of power to the Gentiles may end in October, 1914, or in October,
1915. And the period of intense strife and anarchy “such as never was since there was a nation” may be the final
ending of the Gentile Times or the beginning of Messiah’s reign. But we remind all of our readers again, that we have not prophesied anything about the Times of the Gentiles closing in a time of trouble nor about the glorious epoch which will shortly follow that catastrophe. We have merely pointed out what the Scriptures say, giving our views respecting their meaning and asking our readers to judge, each for himself, what they signify. These prophecies still read the same to us. Should we ever see reason for changing our belief, be assured we will be prompt to advise you respecting the same and give you the reason for it. However, some may make positive statements of what they know, and of what they do not know, we never indulge in this; but we merely state that we believe thus and so, for such and such reasons. The Watch Tower December 1, 1912 (p. 377 R5142) |
| 1913 Jan 15 | The fact also that so many have been thus accepted since 1878 seems to imply that there has been a considerable
vacancy in the list of the Elect, and that it is gradually filling up. It is not for us to say how much of a vacancy
remains, or just when it will be filled. We fully believe, however, that it will be filled before the close of “the
Times of the Gentiles,” which we think will end with October, 1914. The Watch Tower Jan 15, 1913 (p. 27 R5168) Note that this seems to be CTR’s version of the little flock, the anointed. |
| 1913 Jun 1 | We take this occasion to remind our readers afresh that nowhere in our writings have they found anything positively
stated respecting the closing years of this Age, except that we understand that the Gentile Times will close
in October 1914, and that consequently we expect, speedily following that date,
the transfer of the rulership of earth to the great King of Glory, in a “time of trouble such as never was since there
was a nation.” … Indeed, as respects the date 1914, which we have emphasized, and respecting which we have repeatedly expressed our faith, our conviction—even respecting this date we have never knowingly spoken in infallible terms. We have always admitted that it is a matter of faith and conviction, rather than of absolute knowledge. We invite a careful re-examination of the chapter on chronology, as such a reading will prove helpful, sobering. Therein we point out that if our knowledge were wholly based upon chronology we would be far from certain of the date—that our faith in it is based largely upon the corroboration, interlacing and intermeshing of various prophecies which seem to prove the reliability of the Bible chronology and of our use of it in connection with this date. The Watch Tower June 1, 1913 (p. 167 R5249) |
| 1913 Oct 15 | MORE ABOUT THE GREAT PYRAMID Brother Morton Edgar has recently issued a very neat little book dealing with the Pyramid, and corresponding in size and shape to the Karatol and India paper STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES. It is on India paper, cloth-bound, two shillings (fifty cents.) We are informed that it treats the passages of the Pyramid very critically and finds that many of the measurements are closely corroborative of the time features of the Divine Plan presented in the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES. We are advised that it gives seven different corroborative proofs that the close of the year 1914—namely,about October, 1914—will mark the closing of the Times of the Gentiles, and the beginning of the Messianic Reign. Many of the dear friends are rejoicing in these corroborations. … We wish still, however, to reiterate what we have said from the first respecting the date of the close of the Times of the Gentiles; namely, that the calculations as we presented them in Vol. II, STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, are the Truth to the best of our knowledge and belief. Nevertheless, there is enough uncertainty about the matter of chronology to make it a matter of faith rather than of positive knowledge. We remind our readers that our consecration to the Lord is not to October, 1914, nor to any other time except that mentioned by the Savior—“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”—`Rev. 2:10`. … WE THINK of October, 1914, as, in round numbers, the ending of the Gentile Times. As a matter of fact, however, the first day of October is not the end of the Jewish year, which varies at its closing, just as at its beginning. It is regulated by the moon, instead of the sun. The Jewish calendar can never depart from this fixed arrangement of regulation by the moon. The date 1914 is not an arbitrary date; it is merely what the chronology of the Scriptures seems to teach. We have never said positively that the Scriptures do so teach—that the Jewish favor will begin exactly at that time, or that the Gentile Times will end exactly at that time. We say that according to the best chronological reckoning of which we are capable, it is approximately that time—whether it be October, 1914, or later. Without dogmatizing, we are looking for certain events: (1) The termination of the Gentile Times—Gentile supremacy in the world—and (2) For the inauguration of Messiah’s Kingdom in the world. The kingdoms of earth will come to an end, and “the God of Heaven will set up a Kingdom.” (`Daniel 2:44`.) The Scriptures do not say that the trouble will come in an hour, or in one day, or in one year. The intimation is that the catastrophe coming upon our civilization will be a very sudden one. (`Revelation 18:8,10,17,21`; `I Thessalonians 5:3`.) But it will be very sudden if it comes within twelve months. The Flood required many days to come, and many days to assuage. … We are waiting for the time to come when the government of the world will be turned over to Messiah. We cannot say that it may not be either October, 1914, or October, 1915. It is possible that we might be out of the correct reckoning on the subject a number of years. We cannot say with certainty. We do not know. It is a matter of faith, and not of knowledge. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” … CHURCH GLORIFIED BEFORE LEASE EXPIRES As we understand this matter, the Church will be glorified before that time. When the lease expires, it would seem that the new tenants will be ready to take possession. And we cannot see how the new tenants could be ready to take possession unless they were glorified beforehand. If they were still in the flesh, they would not be ready to take possession. So if the Church is here in 1915, we shall think that we have made some mistake. We do not understand how they will all die between now and the close of 1914—how so many people, all over the world—people of one mind—will all pass beyond the veil in so short a time. But we can see how the Lord might purposely leave us in a measure of ignorance in this matter. We do not know positively that the month of October, 1914, will see the Church all glorified, and the time of trouble ushered in. We merely say, Here are the evidences. Here are the proofs. Look at them for yourself and see what you then think. It is for each to accept or reject the facts. (See STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, Vol. II.) So far as we can reason, this chronology is reasonably correct—a good basis for faith. “We walk by faith, and not by sight.” God did not tell us that we should know the exact hour. But we have certain valuable information, and events seem to be fulfilling our expectations more and more as the days go by. The Watch Tower October 15, 1913 (p. 306 R5336) |
| 1913 Nov 15 | Another letter received inquired respecting the proper treatment to be given to a member of the
Class who insisted on opposing the chronology and denouncing all faith in October, 1914,
either as respects the gathering of the Church or the inauguration of the world’s great Time of Trouble. Our reply may
be applicable in other cases. It is to the effect that nobody should be specially encouraged in such an opposition;
for a bad spirit is always objectionable, injurious. However, we should not denounce those who in a proper
spirit express their dissent in respect to the date mentioned and what may be there expected; nor should we
feel aggrieved toward them. We should recognize the individual rights of all, and treat
everybody according to the Golden Rule. Nor should we feel at liberty to express our views more
dogmatically than we would think right for others to do in expressing their views. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES The fact is that, notwithstanding the strength of our position and our hope that it may be true, it is nevertheless of faith and not of knowledge. To some, faith in the matter may become almost as strong and convincing as knowledge. Nevertheless, it is not knowledge, it is faith. We must admit that there are possibilities of our having made a mistake in respect to the chronology, even though we do not see where any mistake has been made in calculating the Seven Times of the Gentiles as expiring about October 1, 1914. If others feel equally convinced respecting some other date which does not appeal to us, we should not on that account reject them as members of the Body of Christ. Rather, we should say, Whether you or we have the date correct, we must all agree that the signs of the times as we read them indicate clearly that the Master is nigh, even at the door; and that His Kingdom is soon due to begin to take control. This means that, whether within one year or within ten or twenty years, the things which we are expecting will surely be accomplished. The Church will be gathered, the Messianic Reign of Righteousness will begin, preceded, as foretold, by the great Time of Trouble. The general facts are much more valuable and important than merely the day or the year respecting these facts. “Let brotherly love continue!” Suffer not any dispute over a day or a year to break the most precious bond of love which binds us to the Lord and to all who are truly His. Be specially careful on this point when the subject of discussion is one respecting which we have no positive knowledge. The rupture of fellowship may sometimes be necessary, when we “contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints”—faith in the Divine Plan, in the Redeemer, in the efficacy of His death, etc. These matters are positively stated in the Bible—not left to deduction, as in the case of chronology and all matters based upon chronology. A CLEARER VIEW OF PROPHECY From time to time the Editor has assured the friends that as features of the Truth become more and more distinct to him he would surely give THE WATCH TOWER readers the benefit of this clearer view; in other words, he would keep nothing back. We have presented in THE WATCH TOWER, for thirty-three years past, the fact that great Babylon will receive her judgment before the nations receive theirs. The statement, “Judgment must begin at the House of God,” while applying especially to the real, or consecrated Church, we believe has also a bearing upon the nominal systems. It will be after the fall of Babylon, her casting as a great millstone into the sea, that the great distress of nations will come, apparently. Nevertheless, we have all probably been inclined to think more particularly of the world’s Time of Trouble—to look for it, to expect it daily, or by October, 1914, as one result of the closing of the Gentile Times, or years. Perhaps we have neglected to some extent the fact that great Babylon apparently is dealt with before that world-trouble comes. The thought has been borne in upon the Editor very forcefully during the past two weeks that to expect the world’s great trouble to begin on or before October 1, 1914, would be to expect astounding things during the intervening months. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD ONE ANOTHER The special point we are now emphasizing is that if we find it difficult, though not impossible, to see that these things could be accomplished within a year, we should feel and act most kindly and tolerantly toward others of the brethren who feel positive that these things will not take place within a year, or who think that they see flaws in our chronological views. “Let brotherly love continue.” “Abhor that which is evil. Cleave to that which is good.” Thus will the grace of God be with us, to guide us, to bless us, to cause all of our experiences to work for good, even though some of those experiences should be disappointments in respect to fulfilments of prophecy within the next few months. … Our statement in October 15th issue that we have never mentioned October, 1914, as an infallibly sure date, either for the ending of the “Times of the Gentiles” or for any particular occurrence, has been called in question by one of our readers. We are cited to the following words of STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, Vol. II.: “Now bear in mind the date already found for the beginning of these Gentile Times, viz., 606 B.C., while we proceed to examine the evidence proving their length to be 2520 years—ending A.D. 1914… In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God will be accomplished at the end of 1914.” We hold that nothing in these quotations declares the infallibility of the theories we suggested respecting 1914. In these statements, and in all of our statements, we have merely informed our readers respecting our views and the processes of our reasoning on the Scriptures which we have brought to their attention. Thus we have asked each reader to think and judge for himself, and to agree or disagree with us according to his own judgment of the facts. Notice that in the above quotations no dogmatic statement is made, but that the reader is requested to use his own intellect. For instance, note the words, “bear in mind”; “while we proceed to examine the evidence”; again the reference to “Bible evidence.” In the last sentence the author sums up his own views, declaring what he considers to be the truth established by the evidences which he sets before his readers. In this respect we believe that THE WATCH TOWER presentations differ considerably from others. We state with positiveness the opinions of the writer and the reasons therefore, but leave the final decision with each head and heart in all matters, without attempting more. The Watch Tower November 15, 1913 (p. 341-4 R5348) |
| 1913 Dec 15 | A reprint appears of an earlier article of Oct 1, 1907 entitled
“KNOWLEDGE AND FAITH REGARDING CHRONOLOGY” to address a reader’s questions regarding the date 1914.
See the excerpts of the article above. The Watch Tower December 15, 1913 (p. 374 R5367) |
| 1914 Jan 1 | This awful condition is just what the Bible portrays. So far as our judgment goes, the Year 1914
is the last one of what the Bible terms “Gentile Times”—the period in which God has allowed the nations of
the earth to do their best to rule the world. The end of their “Times” marks the date for the beginning of Messiah’s
Kingdom, which the Bible declares is to be ushered in with a great Time of Trouble, just such as we see impending. As already pointed out, we are by no means confident that this year, 1914, will witness as radical and swift changes of Dispensation as we have expected. It is beyond the power of our imagination to picture an accomplishment in one year of all that the Scriptures seem to imply should be expected before the Reign of Peace is ushered in. Letters from all over the world assure us that the sentiment of THE WATCH TOWER readers is in full accord with that of the Editor in a resolution that, whatever may occur or may not occur during these years, our faith in the great Divine Plan of the Ages and in the Harvest shall not be one bit shaken. We know in whom we have believed. We consecrated our lives to His service—even unto death, whether that death shall come within this year or at another time. The signs of the times clearly indicate the near approach of the very trouble for which we have for forty years been looking. The signs of the Son of Man in the wonderful inventions and progress of the world are manifest to us. We believe that the Parousia of our Redeemer took place thirty-nine years ago and that He is the potent Factor in all the affairs of His Church and the Supervisor now of the conditions which will shortly lead up to the establishment of His own Kingdom and the binding of Satan, the Prince of Darkness. … TIME FEATURES UNPOPULAR This has brought serious disaster in many respects; it has made all Christendom “drunk.” (`Rev. 17:2`.) Many, even today, are in bewilderment. Some, getting out of that darkness, have stumbled into other errors. The majority have lost all faith in prophecy. God foreknew all these things and foretold them, and they will not interfere with the Divine Program. Just as the wrong impression that our Lord was born in Nazareth was a reflection upon Him, so that many would not accept Him as the long promised Messiah, so these have said, Can any good thing come out of the prophecies, or anything relating to the Second Coming of Messiah? These people who proclaim His Second Advent are laboring under a hallucination! Are not the things written in the prophecies merely fanciful dreams of men—of the rebuilding of Zion and the restitution of Jerusalem? Thus they scoff. They are inclined to feel an opposition to everything in the Scriptures regarding the return of our Lord to accomplish His foretold work. The Lord tells us that although the vision may seem to tarry, yet we are to exercise faith, because in the end it will speak; it will make itself heard, and will not lie. It will then be seen to be the Truth. The Divine Plan of the Ages is to be made plain upon tables. It will be made so very plain to us that he who runs may read. He who is asleep may not read; he who is drunken with the wine of false doctrine may not read; he who is standing in the way of sinners may not read. But he who runs may read, if his heart be teachable and pure. “REST IN THE LORD” This vision is to be made clear at the appointed time. We may not read the time features with the same absolute certainty as doctrinal features; for time is not so definitely stated in the Scriptures as are the basic doctrines. We are still walking by faith and not by sight. We are, however, not faithless and unbelieving, but faithful and waiting. If later it should be demonstrated that the Church is not glorified by October, 1914, we shall try to feel content with whatever the Lord’s will may be. We believe that very many who are running the race for the prize will be able to thank God for the chronology, even if it should prove not accurate to the year, or even out of the way several years. We believe that the chronology is a blessing. If it should wake us a few minutes earlier or a few hours earlier in the Morning than we would otherwise have waked, well and good! It is those who are awake who get the blessing. If 1915 should go by without the passage of the Church, without the Time of Trouble, etc., it would seem to some to be a great calamity. It would not be so with ourself. We shall be as glad as any one if we shall all experience our change from earthly to spirit conditions before 1915, and THIS IS OUR EXPECTATION; but if this should not be the Lord’s will, then it would not be our will. If in the Lord’s providence the time should come twenty-five years later, then that would be our will. This would not change the fact that the Son of God was sent by the Father, and that the Son is the Redeemer of our race; that He died for our sins; that He is selecting the Church for His Bride; and that the next thing now in order is the establishment of the glorious Kingdom at the hands of this great Mediator, who during His Mediatorial Reign will bless all the families of the earth. These facts remain the same. The difference would be merely that of a few years in the time of the establishment of the Kingdom. If October, 1915, should pass, and we should find ourselves still here and matters going on very much as they are at present, and the world apparently making progress in the way of settling disputes, and there were no time of trouble in sight, and the nominal Church were not yet federated, etc., we would say that evidently we have been out somewhere in our reckoning. In that event we would look over the prophecies further, to see if we could find an error. And then we would think, Have we been expecting the wrong thing at the right time? The Lord’s will might permit this. Our expectation as a Church is that our change is near. Nothing of Restitution blessings can come to the world until after the Church has been glorified. The Watch Tower January 1, 1914 (p. 3-5 R5373) |
| 1914 Jan 15 | OUR DEAR BROTHER AND PASTOR:— The little Class of Shawnee appointed me to write and tell you that we passed a resolution assuring you of our steadfast faith in you and your leadings. We got the thought from reading the Nov. 15th WATCH TOWER, the article on “What Course Should We Take?” that you had almost decided that the things we have been expecting in 1914 would not come to pass on time—since you said it is possible, but not probable. Now, dear Brother, if these things do not come to pass until 2014, instead of 1914, our faith in you will be as great as it ever has been, for we believe that you have fought a good fight, that you have kept the faith, that you have almost finished your course, and that there is laid up for you a glorious Crown. It seems to us that it would not be strange if the dear Lord would permit a short delay to try the faith of some who had perhaps consecrated to 1915, instead of until death. May the dear Lord’s richest blessings be upon you. In behalf of the Class, your brother in the Lord. N. B. RANKIN.—Okla. The Watch Tower January 15, 1914 (p. 31 R5391) |
| 1914 Feb 15 | DEAR PASTOR RUSSELL:— Loving greetings in the dear Redeemer. Our prayers are daily offered for you, dear Brother, both on your own personal account and as the Lord’s servant in this, the time of the Harvest. We have read with deep interest the various articles which have appeared in THE WATCH TOWER, especially those of recent date, re 1914 as the end of the Harvest, or more strictly speaking, the end of the Times of the Gentiles. We have seen nothing in these articles which justifies the statement of some of the friends that “Pastor Russell has changed his views respecting what may be expected in October, 1914.” On the contrary, if we have read the articles aright, and we believe we have, your views are still the same. We think, however, that these articles express the greatest moderation towards any who may desire to think otherwise. The thought later came into mind that as our Lord’s earthly career was marked at its close by an eclipse in the physical heavens, the sun being darkened, perhaps the Lord might mark the close of Harvest privileges by a similar eclipse. I attach hereto a sheet taken from a 1914 Almanac. Please note No. III., “A Total Eclipse of the Sun, August 21st, beginning at sunrise, visible to the northeast portion of the United States and Canada. Visible also to North Atlantic Ocean, Europe, Asia and Africa”—practically the entire world. Reference to the little “Morning Resolution” card shows that following this day there are just forty days left to the close of September. If the above surmise be true, how fitting it is that the last forty days of the Age should be the testing time of the Feet Members of the Body of Christ under the fiery trials already promised! Such a fact would again demonstrate that our God is an exact Timekeeper to a day. Excluding the above speculation, the year 1914 presents some extremely interesting chronological data, as follows: I. STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, VOL. 2, page 60, paragraph 3, points out that the fourteenth of Nisan rarely falls on a Friday. This date, marking the Passover celebration of the Jews and the Memorial of Christ’s death among Christians, falls on Friday, April 10th, this year. This enables Christians of practically all denominations to celebrate the same event on the same day, likewise the friends in Present Truth. II. The Jewish New Year does not come about October 1st, as is generally the case. The attached Calendar sheet shows that it begins with sunset, September 20th. Ten days later is the marked off period, or day, for the annual Atonement Day of the Jews. How fitting it would be for God to have marked the close of the great Atonement Day of this Age with the anniversary of the typical Atonement Day! The Watch Tower February 15, 1914 (p. 63 R5410) |
| 1914 Mar 1 | We think there is good reason to believe that a considerable number who have made consecration are still in Babylon.
We do not know this, however. We are near to the Battle of Armageddon, near the time of the overthrow of Babylon; and
we are seeking to give the Message of the Truth as wide a circulation as possible, to the intent that this class may
hear and come out, even though too late to win the great prize. That they are considerable in number is intimated in
the `19th Chapter of Revelation`, where we are told that when Babylon falls the number of those released at that time
will be a great multitude, that the voices of these will be “as the voice of many waters.” We believe that at the present time there are a great many in the nominal Churches whose minds are gradually becoming more and more awake to the Truth. In various pulpits, where the Truth is opposed, many things of the Gospel of the Kingdom are being proclaimed; and this will have the effect of awakening and informing some of this class. Even though those bringing forward these truths declare them in spite and envy, nevertheless the Message of the Gospel is preached. (`Philippians 1:15-18`.) Many thus have their attention called to certain truths, which we would never be able to give them—many whom we could not reach. For instance, some of these ministers mention that we believe the nominal Church to be Babylon; others say that we believe that our Lord is now present, in His Second Advent, and is gathering His jewels (`Malachi 3:17`); still others are telling that we believe the end of the Gentile Times will come in October, 1914. All these truths are being stated in a slanderous way. But we should not be surprised if the Lord will overrule for the good of His people many of these things. The Watch Tower March 1, 1914 (p. 69 R5412) |
| 1914 May 1 |
Written possibly 3 months before the outbreak of WWI. THE NATIONS HURRYING TO ARMAGEDDONThe political battle which has been in progress in Great Britain in recent years, and especially within the past two years, is exciting the astonishment of the world. Kings and princes and nobles are in alarm, fearful of the results. The Bible alone makes the situation clear. It alone shows us that the wonderful changes of our day are incidental to the transfer of the kingdoms of this world to become the Kingdom of God’s dear Son. We should not be misunderstood, however: We have no thought that the change of parties or of party leaders or of party policies in Great Britain, or in any other nation, will make that nation a holy nation, a member of the Kingdom of God. Indeed, we have no reason to believe that Socialists as a whole would or could give the world the blessing of perfect earthly government, establish human rights, etc. On the contrary, we are to remember that while kings and princes have ruled sometimes with a heavy hand, nevertheless, in recent years at least, they have found it necessary to give the people and their interests greater consideration than ever before; and that their experience and their education doubtless qualify them above the average of their fellows for the management of large questions of national import. Besides, the sudden change would involve not only great hardship to these lords of the land, but probably great distress and hardship to the masses as well. Indeed, this is just what the Bible points out to us. We are living in the time of Christ’s presence. The selection of the Church of Christ to be the Bride-Consort in the Kingdom is nearly completed. The Kingdom will, therefore, soon be established. But those possessed of the power and authority, not realizing this, are holding fast to all that was seized by their forefathers under different conditions. To our understanding, the Bible teaches that this conflict of interests is about to precipitate a great Time of Trouble, the like of which never was before. (`Daniel 12:1`.) Nobody wants the trouble, everybody will be injured by it, and yet everybody is rushing toward it. Both the aristocracy and the masses are goaded on by fear. The former fear the loss of their earthly all; the latter perceive that the money of the world, and the land, the basis of all wealth, are in possession of the aristocracy. The masses realize that, with the bountiful blessings which God has been pouring out upon the world during the past century through increase of knowledge and invention, the world is becoming fabulously rich; and that these riches are gravitating toward the same hands that control the land. They are fearful that if they do not improve the opportunities now passing, they or their children will in time again become slaves or serfs. Hence the turmoil of speech and the conflict between classes, which are hurrying us toward the vortex of the great Armageddon.—`Revelation 16:16`. The Watch Tower May 1, 1914 (p. 132 R5448) |
| 1914 Jun 15 | GRATEFUL FOR THE TRUTH MY DEAR PASTOR:— It is nearly twelve months since I wrote, thanking you for the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES. In that letter I said that if nothing happened apparently to fulfil our expectations, that 1914 marks the end of Gentile favor and the setting up of Christ’s Kingdom, I should be as prepared as ever to accept with gratitude and joy your explanations of the Scriptures. The Watch Tower June 15, 1914 (p. 191 R5487) |
| 1914 Jul 1 | QUERIES OF A COLPORTEUR DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:— How shall we do respecting the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES after October, 1914? Will the Society continue to publish them? Will the Colporteurs and others continue to circulate them? Is it right to circulate them now, since you have some doubt respecting the full accomplishment of all expected by or before October, 1914? With Christian love, Your brother, M. F. C. IN REPLY MY DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST:— Yours of May 20th has reached me. Thanks! I think that you are not taking a right view of the matter treated in STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, Vol. II. It is our thought that these books will be on sale and read for years in the future, provided the Gospel Age and its work continue. So far as the features are concerned, we have merely set forth the Scriptures and our view respecting their application and significance. We have not attempted to say that these views are infallible, but have stated the processes of reasoning and figuring, leaving to each reader the duty and privilege of reading, thinking and figuring for himself. That will be an interesting matter a hundred years from now; and if he can figure or reason better, he will still be interested in what we have presented. In any event, we think that the consummation cannot be long deferred. To cease to print and circulate the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES because everything suggested therein has not been, apparently, fulfilled, would be like rejecting our Common Version of the Bible because the chronology given in the margin throughout is known to be incorrect to the extent of a number of years. Usher’s chronology is used in our Common Version, and shows the birth of Christ in the year 4004. Scholars are agreed that the event varied at least two years from that date—some say four years. And STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES show from the Bible that the date was actually 4128. Nobody thinks of throwing away his Bible on this account. No more need any one think of throwing away his STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES or failing to circulate them on account of the fact that October, 1914, may not witness all that we had expected and in the manner expected. With much Christian love, Your brother and servant in the Lord. The Watch Tower July 1, 1914 (p. 207 R5496) |
| 1914 Aug 15 |
This is the first edition of The Watch Tower that mentions the outbreak of WWI which started in July 28, 1914. SAYING, “GIVE US OF YOUR OIL”MILLIONS of people have had their attention drawn to the teachings of THE WATCH TOWER and the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES respecting our thought that the Time of Trouble such as never was since there was a nation is due some time about October, 1914. Eight million volumes of the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES are in the hands of the public. Some who scoffed, railed, laughed and talked about the impossibility of our expectations are startled by the suddenness with which the great European war has started. All admit that there never has been such a war before, and that there never again can be such a war. Ignoring the Bible, all admit that the consequences of this war will be so terrible, the impoverishment of the nations so great, that wiser counsels must prevail in the future. We see from the Bible viewpoint that the result of this war will lead up to the wrecking of our present civilization in a period of anarchy. Whatever way the war may eventuate, it will surely be unsatisfactory. Discontent will more than ever prevail amongst the masses. A reign of terror throughout the civilized world is to be expected as a result. All these things we have presented in our publications, sermons, etc., also in the PHOTO-DRAMA OF CREATION, which already has been shown to audiences totaling more than four millions. This war is riveting conviction upon the minds of many respecting the correctness of our expectations. Their question is, “What next?” And they will not think of looking for an answer in the direction of the ministers of the nominal Churches, who they now know have been keeping them in the dark and trying to prevent their obtaining the true light from God’s Word, as it is now shining amongst the Bible Students. A WORD OF CAUTION Now is the time for our moderation of thought, speech and manner. When our dear relatives, friends, neighbors and the public begin to inquire of us respecting the horoscope of God’s Word, we should be very meek, gentle, patient in our replies. Any haughty manner, any spirit of “I told you so,” would be a rebuff to those who are now inclined to look to us for assistance, guidance, instruction in the teachings of God’s Word. Sympathetically we should put ourselves in their places and treat them most kindly, telling them that this war is probably connected with the great anarchy which is to follow; that it will probably weaken the nations as nothing else would have done, and thus give the discontented element of society, not only an excuse, but an opportunity, for overthrowing all governments and precipitating the world into the most terrible calamity ever known. We recommend that the distresses of the Time of Trouble be not so much discussed as the grand outcome, the MESSIANIC KINGDOM, to follow. We should help our friends and neighbors to look beyond the dark cloud to the silver lining, assuring them that God’s Word implies that this Time of Trouble is necessary as a preparation for Messiah’s Kingdom. The plowshare of trouble must first prepare human hearts for the sowing of the good seed of the next Dispensation. As we read, “When Thy judgments are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”—`Isaiah 26:9`. The Watch Tower August 15, 1914 (p. 249 R5520) |
| 1914 Nov 1 | “We are now more than a hundred years from the beginning of the Time of the End” The Watch Tower November 1, 1914 (p. 326) |
| 1914 Nov 15 | A WORD TO COLPORTEURS The European War is causing many people to think seriously. It so closely agrees with what they have from time to time seen in THE WATCH TOWER publications or have heard from WATCH TOWER subscribers, that they are now wondering if there is not some Truth connected with our presentation respecting the Millennium and the great Time of Trouble with which the Millennial Age will be inaugurated. The Watch Tower November 15, 1914 (p. 338 R5575) |
| 1914 Dec 15 | 1914 A VERY NOTABLE YEAR For instance, we have for forty years been looking forward to the present year as the one in which Gentile Times would expire and the one, therefore, in which we might expect some special manifestation of the transfer of earth’s government to its new King, Messiah. We had hoped that the ending of the Gentile Times might have signified the ending also of the Church’s times, or years, in the flesh, the ushering of all the Lord’s consecrated people into the Kingdom. The Watch Tower December 15, 1914 (p. 371 R5591) |
| 1915 Jan 1 | VIEW FROM THE WATCH TOWER WHEN our worthy President and also his Holiness the Pope requested
Christian people to pray God for the cessation of the European war, we declared that the prayer was not in harmony
with the Divine arrangement and would not be answered. We pointed out that according to the Scriptures the 2520 years
of Gentile dominion ended in September, 1914; and that the war is the one predicted in the
Scriptures as associated with the Great Day of Almighty God—“the Day of Vengeance of our God.”… … By that time the earthquake stage of the trouble will be near. When the Earthquake, or Revolution, so prominently mentioned in the Scriptures shall have come, that, no doubt will be the time when the kings and the captains of industry, of finance and of politics will in self-defense greatly exalt the power of religious leaders. Then we may expect that the Federation of Churches will exercise a power in the world such as has not been since the days of Papal supremacy. In the symbolic language of Revelation, that will be the time in which the “Image of the Beast” will have life and work great wonders, threatening, commanding, in the name of Heaven.—`Rev. 13:11-18`. The Watch Tower January 1, 1915 (p. 3 R5601) |
| 1915 Feb 1 | INTERESTING LETTERS REPLY TO A CRITIC OF PRESENT EXPECTATIONS DEAR BROTHER:— Your first letter was unanswered, not because of any discourtesy, but through pity. But now that you have written again respecting the disappointment of my expectation mentioned Nov. 29, 1911, that “within three years I shall have been joined to the Bridegroom,” I have concluded to answer your letter, conceiving that after you have read my reply, my past, present and future faith may not seem so distressingly funny to you. Twenty years ago you and I believed in infant baptism; in the Divine right of the clergy to administer that baptism; that baptism was necessary to escape eternal torment; that God is love; that God created and continues to create billions of beings in His likeness who will spend the countless ages of eternity in the strangling fumes of burning sulphur, pleading in vain for one drop of water to relieve their agonies; we believed in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man; we believed that we should be followers of God as dear children; in baptizing our infants we believed that God saved some and did not save others, or else we believed in the salvation of all infants, except those poor unfortunates to whose parents the Gospel had not been preached; for such, we believed, no salvation was provided outside of baptism into some one of the hundreds of sects into which Christianity is divided. We believed that after a man dies, he is alive; we believed that Jesus Christ never died; that He could not die; that no Ransom was ever paid or ever will be paid; that Jehovah God and Christ Jesus His Son are one and the same person; that Christ was His own Father; that Jesus was His own Son; that the Holy Spirit is a person; that one plus one, plus one, equal one; that when Jesus hung on the cross and said, “My God, My God, why hast Thou Forsaken Me,” He was merely talking to Himself; that He was raised in the flesh; that He still bears, and will forever bear, His scars; that He alone of all mankind will have to go scarred and marred throughout eternity; that He will come again in the flesh; that the Day of Judgment is a Day of horror; that the literal earth is to be burned up with literal fire; that all human beings who are saved become angels; that Paradise is Heaven; that the crucified thief became an angel the day he died and went to Heaven; that Christ did not become an angel, but was raised from the dead as a man three days later than the thief, but did not ascend to Heaven until forty days afterward; that all the Ancient Worthies went to Heaven when they died, including David; that present kingdoms are part of Christ’s Kingdom; that the Devil has been away off somewhere in an unlocated Hell, instead of exercising dominion over the kingdoms of this earth; that the Antichrist is to be a literal man; that sectarianism is a good thing and will be perpetuated forever; that one can be born of the Spirit while he is still in the flesh; that a resurrection from the dead is impossible because none are dead; that it merely means in the case of the saints the taking back of the poor bodies that they had, in place of the perfectly good ones they secured when they died. We believed that sanctification means sinlessness, not self-sacrificing devotion to the will of God; that the expression “Bride of Christ” means nothing; because everybody who is saved will be the Bride of Christ; that the expression High calling means nothing, because everybody who is saved, will be saved to the High calling; that the “prize of the High calling,” therefore means nothing; that the Time of the End will never come in your day, in my day, nor in anybody else’s day; that present running to and fro, means nothing; that there will never be any end of the “Times of the Gentiles”; that there will never be any special “Time of Trouble such as never was since there was a nation”; that there will be no “Restitution of all things”; that the Jubilee arrangements signify nothing; that the “abomination of desolation” signifies nothing; that there never was and never will be a great falling away; that there never was and never will be a great Mother Apostate Church, and she never had and never will have any daughters; that the expression “Royal Priesthood” means nothing, because everybody who is saved will be of the priesthood; that there can never be a Second Death, not even a first one; that a human soul once born, lives on forever; that the Tabernacle signifies nothing; that there is no witness to the Lord in the land of Egypt; that the Memorial Supper can be properly observed any old time; that the Christian Sabbath is not a rest of faith, but merely a formal observance of one day in seven; that the literal heavens will be literally rolled together as a literal scroll; that at that time men will pray for literal mountains to fall on top of them. I praise God for the day that brought Present Truth to my door. It was so wholesome, so refreshing to mind and heart, that I quickly left the humbug and claptrap of the past and was used of God to also open your blinded eyes. We rejoiced in the Truth together, working side by side for fifteen years. The Lord greatly honored you as a mouthpiece; I never knew anybody who could make the follies of Babylon look so ridiculous. In your letter you ask, “What next?” Ah, now comes the pity of it! The next thing is that you permit your heart to become embittered against the one whose labors of love and whose blessing from on High brought the Truth to both our hearts. You went out, and took several of the sheep with you. I am reliably informed that when Billy Sunday was in your city you were one of the most prominent workers for “the cause.” I am reliably informed also that you are now serving as superintendent of a Sunday School in the denomination from which you withdrew when you accepted Present Truth. You either believe the foregoing “confession of faith,” or you don’t believe it. If you don’t believe it, and are helping to boost the organizations that do believe it, then Doc. Cook, the discoverer (?) of the North Pole, should enlist as your pupil. If you do not believe it, and admit, as you must, that you got all your light on these and thousands of other subjects from Brother Russell, then, by comparison, the boy who wished that his father would die so that he could have his jack-knife, should be considered a model of gratitude and loyalty and faithfulness; and his name should be handed down to posterity as a shining example of the way we should act toward our benefactors. On the contrary, if you have returned to your belief of the foregoing “faith,” you must admit that it is something you once believed and once vomited forth, and like the Scriptural dog, you have returned to your vomit; I hope you like it.—`2 Peter 2:20-22`. Probably I look ridiculous to you because I did not go to Heaven, October 1st, 1914, but you don’t look ridiculous to me —oh no! With ten of the greatest nations of earth writhing in their death agonies, it seems to me a particularly inopportune time to seek to ridicule the man, and the only man, who for forty years has taught that the Times of the Gentiles would end in 1914. If you believe these stupid and worse than childish blunders of the past and seek to revivify them, you have a worse job on your hands than Christ had when He raised Lazarus. Pastor Russell’s teachings have killed them so completely that they are in a far worse condition than Lazarus was when he had been dead four days. I presume that when Zedekiah struck Micaiah upon the cheek and ridiculed the latter’s confidence in the Lord’s Message, he thought it was really funny, and still more so when Micaiah warned him that he would soon attempt to hide himself unsuccessfully from the Syrians in his inner chamber. I doubt, however, whether Zedekiah considered it so funny shortly afterward when he saw the armies of the Syrians in front of his house, and especially when he heard them coming up stairs.—`1 Kings 22`. If this letter shall awaken you to your true condition, I shall be glad. If it does not, it will not be necessary for you to write to me again; for I shall consider it a hopeless task. With best wishes, I remain, C. J. WOODWORTH. The Watch Tower February 1, 1915 (p. 46 R5629) |
| 1915 Feb 15 | THE KINGDOM OF GOD SET UP Because certain important things are to be accomplished, we see that God is permitting what to others might seem to be purely human devilishness. For a wise purpose He permits this reign of lawlessness, this condition which evokes universal odium. Our thought is that we should look for still further evidences day by day that the Gentile Times have ended, and that God’s Kingdom has begun its work. We are expecting to see multiplied proofs of the Kingdom power, though the world will not recognize it as such until it is manifested in the flaming fire of Anarchy, which is still further along. The present step is the war of the nations. The next step will be Socialism—an attempted Socialism—among the people. Then the third step, Anarchy, will gradually come on. When this symbolic fire shall prevail, then the world will realize what we are trying to tell them now; namely, that God’s Kingdom is taking control, and that these various demonstrations are evidences that our Lord is taking His great power. But the many will not begin to see until the flaming fire is revealed. When we endeavor to tell them now they will not receive it, but they will be thoroughly convinced when they see the destructive fire of Anarchy. It was merely during the interval between the destruction of the kingdom of Israel and the setting up of the Kingdom of the Heavens that the opportunity was given to these Gentile kingdoms to see what they could do toward establishing a righteous government on earth. Now the time has come for God’s Kingdom to displace them; but they will not willingly resign their crowns and scepters; they are in defiance. Therefore force is required to destroy them. Their 2520 years of rule are in the past, and they must now submit to a complete overthrow. We are expecting that the work of their crushing will steadily continue until its full accomplishment. “A short work will the Lord make upon the earth,” is the Scriptural declaration.—`Romans 9:28`. At the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet Messiah was to take unto Himself His great power and reign. That Trumpet is now sounding! “And the nations were angry and Thy wrath is come.” … THE TIME FOR JUDGMENT IS RIPE We believe that the Times of the Gentiles ended just on time, as shown in Volume II. of STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES. The hand of Justice is now doing the breaking— the nations shall be broken as “a potter’s vessel.” The whole cataclysm of trouble may be upon the world during the next ten months or it may be longer deferred. We believe that the time for the setting up of the Kingdom was on September 21, 1914. At that time, when it was due for our Lord to take up His great power and reign, the nations were already angry. They were at war over a month in advance of the time, because so angry. The due time for the “wrath” was September 21. The Watch Tower February 15, 1915 (p. 54 R5632) |
| 1915 Mar 1 | CHANGES IN “SCRIPTURE STUDIES” We call attention to a few slight changes which have been made in four pages of Vol. II. and six pages of Vol. III., “STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES.” These are all trivial and do not alter the real sense and lesson, but conform to the facts as we have them today. The pages containing these corrections are as follows: Vol. II., page 77, line 1, “will be the farthest limit,” reads “will see the disintegration.” Vol. II., page 77, line 6, “will obtain full universal control,” reads “will begin to assume control.” Vol. II., page 77, lines 16,17, “end of A.D. 1914,” reads “end of the overthrow.” Vol. II., page 81, line 9, “can date only from A.D. 1914,” reads “could not precede A.D. 1915.” Vol. II., page 170, line 16, “at that time they will all be overturned.”* Vol. II., page 221, line 25, “full favor until A.D. 1914,” reads “full favor until after 1915.” Vol. III., page 94, line 29, “in this end or harvest,” reads “at the end of this harvest.” Vol. III., page 126, line 12, “at A.D. 1914,” reads “after 1914.” Vol. III., page 133, line 21, “ere the harvest is fully ended.”+ Vol. III., page 228, line 11, “some time before 1914,” reads “very soon after 1914.” Vol. III., page 228, line 15, “just how long before,” reads “just how long after.” Vol. III., page 362, line 11, “some time before,” reads “some time near.” Vol. III., page 364, line 14, “must not only witness,” reads “may not only witness.” ————— *How long it will require to accomplish this overturning we are not informed, but have reason to believe the period will be short. +The end of the harvest will probably include the burning of the tares. Unless we find the chronology in Vols. II. and III. to be wrong, we must believe that it will be practically the same chronology as will be used throughout the Millennial Age. The Watch Tower March 1, 1915 (p. 66 R5649) Seems to be an example of George Orwell’s statement: “He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future.” |
| ‘’ “” | |
| AI Summary by MS Bing | What did Charles Russell expect in 1914? According to his writings from www.ctrussell.us, he expected that 1914
would mark the end of the Gentile Times, the return of Christ, and the beginning of the Battle of Armageddon. He based
his calculations on the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, and believed that God had a plan for the salvation of
mankind. He wrote: “The Times of the Gentiles” extend to October, 1914, and no further; and we are now in the transition period between the two ages—the present, or Gospel age, closing, and the Millennial age opening. The great time of trouble which will precede the full establishment of Messiah’s Kingdom has already begun; and it will increase in severity until it culminates in anarchy. The Lord’s consecrated people are to be “accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass,” not by being taken away from the earth, but by being kept in the secret place of the Most High—under his protecting care. (ZWT - 1908 - R4114) We are not looking for a man to appear as Christ Jesus appeared at his first advent—in a body of flesh. We are not looking for him to come in a spiritual body, either; for “flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.” We are looking for him to come as a glorious divine being, invisible to human eyes, but manifest by his mighty works. He will be present, not only in one place, but everywhere; for he is to take unto himself his great power and reign. He will be present with his Church, his Bride, and they shall be caught up together to meet him in the air. He will also be present with the world, to execute the judgments written, and to establish his righteous government among the nations. (ZWT - 1914 - R5373) |
Author: Norbert Rennert ©2023 Released under CC BY-NC 