how are they a false prophet?
Even if only one of the prophecies below prooved to be untrue, it makes the WTS a false prophet and every one of their followers deceived and chasing a lie. A true prophet speaks God's words and never utters a false prophetic word. Read them for yourself and decide (this is for all you WTS followers who think the ORG is one the ball - especially when they come to find "new light" amidst the lies they teach).
By the way Reniaa, you never answered my last question regarding blasphemy.
False Prophecies of the Jehovah's Witnesses
The Witnesses make many claims in their attempt to convert you to their faith. They profess
to have the only true Christian church, to be the only true representatives of God, to have the only
correct biblical teaching, and to be the only true announcers of Jehovah's coming kingdom.
If they are the only true church and are the only true voice of God's word, then what they say
should prove to be true, especially in prophecy. When it comes to predicting the future, the
Watchtower organization fails miserably. Following are some of the false predictions made over
the years by the Watchtower organization. If you present these to a JW, he will probably say
something like, "Those are taken out of context," or "They didn't claim to be the prophet of God,"
or "The light is getting brighter and we are understanding Bible prophecy better now," etc.
Remember Deut. 18:22, "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take
place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken
presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him." If someone makes a false prophecy, and they have
claimed to be a prophet of God, then they are false prophets and are not to be listened to.
Do the Witnesses claim to be the prophet of God? Yes, they do.
With respect to prophetic determination of the “time of the end” and Christ’s return, Jesus says,
“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither
the Son, but the Father.” (Mark 13:32) So why does the Watchtower Society continually attempt
to prophesy the end times and Christ’s return when scripture affirms it’s impossibility?
In 1972 the Jehovah's Witness Watchtower claimed to be the prophet of God.
IDENTIFYING THE "PROPHET" -- "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." The
Watchtower, 4/1/72, p. 197. (See Deut. 18:21)
1897 "Complete destruction of the 'powers that be' of 'this present evil worlds - political, financial,
ecclesiastical - about the close of the Time of the Gentiles; October A.D. 1914." (C.T. Russell,
Studies in the Scriptures, IV, p. 622, 1897)
1897 "Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874," (Studies in the
Scriptures, Vol. 4, page 621)
1899 "...the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty' (Revelation 16:14), which will end in A.D.
1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present rulership, is already commenced." (The Time
Is at Hand, page 101 (1908 edition))
1902 "In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it
an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of
the kingdom of God, will be accomplished by the end of A.D. 1914." (The Time Is At Hand, 1902
edition, p. 99)
1903 "When Uranus and Jupiter meet in the humane sign of Aquarius in 1914, the long-promised
era will have made a fair start in the work of setting man free to work out his own salvation, and
will insure the ultimate realization of dreams and ideals of all poets and sages in history."
(Watchtower, May 1, 1903, p. 130-131; p3184 Reprints)
1904 "According to our expectations the stress of the great time of trouble will be on us soon,
somewhere between 1910 and 1912, culminating with the end of the 'Times of the Gentiles,'
October, 1914." (The New Creation, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 6, p. 579, 1904)
1908 "In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it
an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of
the Kingdom of God, will be accomplished at the end of A. D. 1914." (The Time Is At Hand; 1889;
1908 ed.; p. 99)
1908 "True, it is expecting great things to claim, as we do, that within the coming twenty-six years
all present governments will be overthrown and dissolved" (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1908 ed.;
p. 99)
1914 "There is absolutely no ground for Bible students to question that the consummation of this
Gospel age is now even at the door, and that it will end as the Scriptures foretell in a great time of
trouble such as never was since there was a nation. We see the participants in this great crisis
banding themselves together… The great crisis, the great clash, symbolically represented as a
fire, that will consume the ecclesiastical heavens and the social earth, is very near." (Watchtower
Reprints, VI, May 1, 1914, p. 5450)
1914 "While it's possible that Armageddon may begin next Spring, yet this purely speculation to
attempt to say just when. We see, however, that there are parallels between the close of the
Jewish age and this Gospel age. These parallels seem to point to the year just before us part
particularly the early months." (Watchtower Reprints, VI, Sept 1, 1914, p. 5527)
1914 "Studying God's Word, we have measured the 2520 years, the seven symbolic times, from
that year 606 B.C. and have found that it reached down to October 1914, as nearly as we were
able to reckon. We did not say positively that this would be the year." (Watchtower, November 1,
1914, p. 325)
1914 "Even if the time of our change should not come within ten years, what more should we
ask? Are we not a blessed, happy people? Is not our God faithful? If anyone knows anything
better, let him take it. If any of you ever find anything better, we hope you will tell us."
(Watchtower, Dec 15, 1914, p. 376)
1915 "The present great war in Europe is the beginning of the Armageddon of the Scriptures
(Rev. 19:16-20). It will eventuate in the complete overthrow of all the systems of error which have
so long oppressed the people of God and deluded the world. We believe the present war cannot
last much longer until revolutions shall break out" (C.T. Russell, Pastor Russell's Sermons, p.
676, Sometime during World War I)
1915 Here we furnish the evidence that from the creation of Adam to A.D. 1873 was six thousand
years. And though the Bible contains no direct statement that the seventh thousand will be the
epoch of Christ's reign, the great Sabbath Day of restitution to the world, yet the venerable
tradition is not without reasonable foundation. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 39)
1915 If, then, the seventh thousand-year period of earth's history be an epoch specially noted as
the period of Christ's reign, we shall, by showing that it began in A.D. 1873, be proving that we
are already in it. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 40)
1915 Firstly, that at that date [1914] the Kingdom of God, for which our Lord taught us to pray,
saying, "Thy Kingdom come," will begin to assume control, and that it will then shortly be "set up,"
or firmly established, in the earth, on the ruins of present institutions. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889;
1915 ed.; p. 77)
1915 "In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it
an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of
the kingdom of God, will be accomplished near the end of A.D. 1915. (The Time Is At Hand, 1915
edition, p. 99)
1915 "Be not surprised, then, when in subsequent chapters we present proofs that the setting up
of the Kingdom of God is already begun, that it is pointed out in prophecy as due to begin the
exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the 'battle of the great day of God Almighty' (Rev.
16:14), which will end in A.D. 1915, with the complete overthrow of the earth's present rulership,
is already commenced." (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 101)
1915 So it was in this harvest also up to A.D. 1878 the time prophecies and the fact of the Lord's
presence, substantially as here presented, though less clearly, was our message. Since then the
work has widened, and the view of other truths has become brighter and clearer; but the same
fact and scriptures, teaching the same time and presence, stand unchallenged and
incontrovertible. (The Time Is At Hand; 1889; 1915 ed.; p. 236)
1915 The Gentile Times prove that the present governments must all be overturned about the
close of A.D. 1915; and Parallelism above shows that this period corresponds exactly with the
year A.D. 70, which witnessed the completion of the downfall of the Jewish polity. (The Time Is At
Hand, 1915 edition, p. 242)
1915 The Battle of Armageddon, to which this war is leading, will be a great contest between right
and wrong, and will signify the complete and everlasting overthrow of the wrong, and the
permanent establishment of Messiah's righteous kingdom for the blessing of the world. … Our
sympathies are broad enough to cover all engaged in the dreadful strife, as our hope is broad
enough and deep enough to include all in the great blessings which our Master and his Millennial
kingdom are about to bring to the world. (Watchtower Reprints, VI, April 1, 1915, p. 5659)
1915 To our understanding the general call to this joint heirship with our Redeemer as members
of the New Creation of God, ceased in 1881. (The New Creation; 1899; 1915 ed.; p. 95)
1916 "The Bible chronology herein presented shows that the six great 1000 year days beginning
with Adam are ended, and that the great 7th Day, the 1000 years of Christ's Reign, began in
1873." (The Time Is at Hand, page ii, (forward))
1916 We see no reason for doubting, therefore, that the Times of the Gentiles ended in October,
1914; and that a few more years will witness their utter collapse and the full establishment of
God's kingdom in the hands of Messiah." (Watchtower Reprints, VI, Sept 1, 1916, p. 5950)
1917 'There will be no slip-up...Abraham should enter upon the actual possession of his promised
inheritance in the year 1925' (Watchtower Oct. 15, 1917, p. 6157)
1917 The Spring of 1918 will bring upon Christendom a spasm of anguish greater even than that
experienced in the Fall of 1914.... The travail that is coming is to be upon nominal Zion-
"Christendom" … "Babylon"; and it will be a great and sore affliction - "A Time of Trouble such as
was not since there was a nation." (The Finished Mystery p. 62 [stated to be the "Posthumous
Work of Pastor Russell" on p. 2])
1917 'No doubt Satan believed the Millennial Kingdom was due to be set-up in 1915...Be that as
it may, there is evidence that the establishment of the Kingdom in Palestine will probably be in
1925, ten years later than we once calculated.' (Studies In The Scriptures, Vol 7, The Finished
Mystery, p. 128) ** Earlier Watchtower prophecy credited to Satan? **
1917 Some interesting developments in connection with the setting up of the Kingdom may occur
in 1920, six years after the great Time of Trouble began. It would not be strange if this were so,
when we recall that after forty years wandering in the wilderness the Israelites came into
possession of the land of Canaan after a further six years. As these matters are still future we can
but wait to see. We anticipate that the "earthquake" will occur early in 1918, and that the "fire" will
come in the fall of 1920. (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 178, Comments on Revelation 11:13.
[The 1926 ed. reads: "and that the 'fire' will follow in due course."]) ** Lack of confidence **
1917 "And the mountains were not found. Even the republics will disappear in the fall of 1920.
And the mountains were not found. Every kingdom of earth will pass away, be swallowed up in
anarchy." (The Finished Mystery, 1917 edition, p. 258)
1917 Pastor Russell's mission, in large part, was to advise Christendom of its impending end, in
the time of world-wide trouble. It is the Divine judgment upon the nations. … There will be no
chance of escaping from destruction, through the nations. … The trouble is due to the dawning of
the Day of Christ, the Millennium. It is the Day of Vengeance, which began in the world war of
1914 and which will break like a furious morning storm in 1918." (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p.
404)
1917 Also, in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church
members by million, it shall be that any that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russell to
learn the meaning of the downfall of Christianity. (The Finished Mystery, 1917 edition, p. 485)
1917 As the fleshly-minded apostates from Christianity, siding with the radicals and
revolutionaries, will rejoice at the inheritance of desolation that will be Christendom's after 1918,
so will God do to the successful revolutionary movement; it shall be utterly desolated, "even all of
it." Not one vestige of it shall survive the ravages of world-wide all embracing anarchy, in the fall
of 1920. (Rev. II: 7-13) (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 542, [The 1926 ed. reads: "in the end of
the time of trouble."])
1918 "Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to
the condition of human perfection." (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, page 89.)
1920 '...we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men of Israel from the
condition of death, being resurrected' (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, 1920, p. 88)
1920 "A simple calculation of these jubilees brings us to this important fact: Seventy jubilees of
fifty years each would be a total of 3500 years. That period of time beginning 1575 before A.D. 1
of necessity would end in the fall of 1925, at which time the type ends and the great antitype must
begin. What, then, should we expect to take place? In the type there must be a full restoration;
beginning of restoration of all things. The chief thing to be restored is the human race to life; and
since other Scriptures definitely fix the fact that there will be a resurrection of Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob and other faithful ones of old, and that these will have the first favor, we may expect 1925
to witness the return of these faithful men and Israel from the condition of death, being
resurrected and fully restored to perfect humanity and made the visible, legal representatives of
the new order of things on earth. (Millions now living will never die, 1920 p 89-90)
1920 'Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob and the faithful prophets of old' (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, 1920, p. 89-90)
1920 "Based upon the argument heretofore set forth, then, that the old order of things, the old
world, is ending and is therefore passing away, and that the new order is coming in, and that
1925 shall mark the resurrection of the faithful worthies of old and the beginning of reconstruction,
it is reasonable to conclude that millions of people now on the earth will be still on the earth in
1925. Then, based upon the promises set forth in the divine Word, we must reach the positive
and indisputable conclusion that millions now living will never die." (Millions Now Living Will Never
Die. 1920 p. 97)
1922 "The period must end in 1925. The type ending, the antitype must begin; and therefore
1925 is definitely fixed in the scriptures. every thinking person can see that a great climax is at
hand. The Scriptures clearly indicate that the climax is the fall of Satan's empire and the full
establishment of the Messianic kingdom. This climax being reached by 1925, and that marking
the beginning of the fulfillment of the long promised blessings of life to the people, millions now
living on earth will be living then and those who obey the righteous laws of the new arrangement
will live forever. Therefore it can be confidently said at this time that millions now living will never
die." (Golden Age, Jan. 4, 1922, p. 217)
1922 "We have no doubt whatever in regard to the chronology relating to the dates of 1874,
1914, 1918, and 1925. It was on this line of reckoning that the dates 1874, 1914, and 1918 were
located; and the Lord has placed the stamp of his seal upon 1914 and 1918 beyond any
possibility of erasure. What further evidence do we need? Using this same measuring line.... it is
an easy matter to locate 1925, probably in the fall, for the beginning of the antitypical jubilee.
There can be no more question about 1925 than there was about 1914." (Watchtower, p. 150,
May 15, 1922)
1922 “1914 ended the Gentile Times...The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the
Scriptures...by then the great crisis will be reached and probably passed” (Watchtower Sept. 1,
1922, p. 262)
1923 "Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian
now has much more upon which to base his faith than Noah had upon which to base his faith in a
coming deluge." (The Watchtower, page 106 4/1/23)
1924 "No doubt many boys and girls who read this book will live to see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
Joseph, Daniel, and those other men of old come forth in the glory of their better resurrection, of
perfect in mind and body. It will not take long for Christ to appoint them to their post of honor and
authority as his earthly representatives. The world and all the present conveniences will seem
strange to them at first, but they will soon become accustomed to the new methods. They may
have some amusing experiences at first; for they never saw telephones, radios, automobiles,
electric lights, aeroplanes, steam engines, and many other things so familiar to us. (The Way To
Paradise, 1924, p. 226)
1924 "The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly marked in Scriptures, even more clearly than
that of 1914. (Watchtower 1924, p. 211)
1924 "We cannot be blamed for presenting from the Scriptures such evidence as they afford
which leads us to believe that a certain event will take place at a given time. Some times the Lord
has let His people looking for the right thing at the wrong time, and more frequently they have
looked for the wrong things at the right time. But all the enemies of the cause of present truth in
the earth are fervently hoping that the Bible students will not be so successful in 1925 in looking
for the right thing at the right time as they were in 1914. if they are, however, it will be the other
fellow that will have to do the explaining, and not we." (The Golden Age, Feb. 13, 1924, p. 314)
1925 "The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year.
Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to
heavenly glory during this year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time
God will accomplish his purposes concerning his people. Christians should not be so deeply
concerned about what may transpire this year." (The Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1925, p. 3)
1925 "The difficulty was that the friends inflated their imaginations beyond reason; and that when
their imaginations burst asunder, they were inclined to throw away everything." (Watchtower
1925, p. 56)
1925 "It is to be expected that Satan will try to inject into the minds of the consecrated, the
thought that 1925 should see an end to the work." (Watchtower, Sept. 1925, p. 262)
1926 "Some anticipated that the work would end in 1925, but the Lord did not state so. The
difficulty was that the friends inflated their imaginations beyond reason; and that when their
imaginations burst asunder, they were inclined to throw away everything." (The Watchtower,
page 232)
1927 The Scriptural proof is that the period of his presence and the day of God's preparation is a
period from 1874 A.D. forward. The second coming of the Lord, therefore, began in 1874; and
that date and the years 1914 and 1918 are specially marked dates with reference to his coming.
(Creation; 1927; p. 289 early editions, p310 later editions)
1927 Prophecy can not be understood until it has been fulfilled or is in the course of fulfillment.
From 1874 to 1914 the prophecy concerning the Lord's coming was being fulfilled and could be
understood, and was understood, by those who were faithful to the Lord and who were watching
the development of events, but not by others. (Creation; 1927; p. 290)
1929 'If these prophesies have not been fulfilled, and if all possibility of fulfilment is past, then
these prophets are proven false.' (Prophecy, 1929, p 22)
1929 Many of such had been looking for the Lord to come and take them to heaven, and had
particularly fixed the year 1914 as when this should be done. The year 1914 was a marked date;
but these had merely contemplated something to happen which did not come to pass. (Prophecy;
1929; 1,589,000 ed.; p. 89)
1929 "Both the grantor and the grantee are fully persuaded from the Bible testimony which is the
word of Jehovah God and from extraneous evidence that God's Kingdom is now in the course of
establishment and that it will result beneficially for the peoples of earth; that the governing power
and authority will be invisible to men but that the kingdom of God will have visible representatives
on the earth who will have charge of the affairs of the nations under supervision of the invisible
ruler, Christ. That among those who will be thus the faithful representatives and visible governors
of the world will be David, who was once King over Israel; and Gideon, and Barak, and Samson,
and Jepthai, and Joseph, formerly ruler of Egypt, and Samuel the prophet and other faithful men
named with approval in the Bible at Hebrews 11th. chapter." (Original legal deed to Beth Sarim,
Rutherford, 1929)
1930 "But how will you identify King David or any of the other representatives from God?'
Rutherford was asked. 'I thought all that out before I wrote the deed,' the judge replied with a
twinkle in his gray eyes. 'I realized the possibility of some old codger turning up bright and early
some morning and declaring he was David. The men whom I have designated to test the identity
of these men are officers of my societies and have consecrated themselves to the Lord, they will
be divinely authorized to know impostors from the real princes."' (The San Diego Sun, Saturday,
March 15, 1930)
1930 Judge Joseph Frederick Rutherford 60, lives in a ten room Spanish mansion, No 440
Braeburn Rd, San Diego, Calif. Last week he deeded No 440 Braeburn Road, and adjacent two
car garage and a pair of automobiles to King David, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, Samuel
and sundry other mighties of ancient Palestine. Positive is he that they are shortly to reappear on
earth, Said he: 'I have purposely landscaped the place with palm and olive trees so that these
princes of the universe will feel at home.. (Time Magazine, March 31, 1930)
1930 "The Watchtower, and its companion publications of the society, for forty years emphasized
that fact that 1914 would witness the establishment of God's kingdom and the complete
glorification of the church. During that period of forty years God's people on earth were carrying
on a witness work, which work was foreshadowed by Elijah and John the Baptist. All of the Lord's
people looked forward to 1914 with joyful expectation. When that time came and passed there
was much disappointment, chagrin and mourning, and the Lord's people were greatly in
reproach. They were ridiculed by the clergy and their allies in particular, and pointed to with
scorn, because they had said so much about 1914, and what would come to pass, and their
prophecies had not been fulfilled. (J. F. Rutherford, Light, Book 1, 1930, p. 194)
1931 "God's faithful people on earth emphasized the importance of the dates 1914 and 1918 and
1925. They had much to say about these dates and what would come to pass, but all they
predicted did not come to pass." (J. F. Rutherford, Vindication, vol. 1, 1931, p. 146)
1931 "There was a measure of disappointment on the part of Jehovah's faithful ones on earth
concerning the years 1914, 1918 and 1925, which disappointment lasted for a time. Later the
faithful learned that these dates were definitely fixed in the Scriptures; and they also learned to
quit fixing dates for the future and predicting what would come to pass on a certain date, but to
rely (and they do rely) upon the Word of God as to the events that must come to pass. (J. F.
Rutherford, Vindication, 1931, p. 338-339)
1931 A gaunt unshaven tramp has been the lone claimant for the $75,000 Southern Californian
mansion of David, king of Israel, since it was deeded to the Biblical character a year ago. This
was revealed today by Judge James Rutherford, temporary owner of the luxuriantly furnished
Spanish type mansion at 440 Braeburn Rd in the exclusive Kensington Heights district. In one of
the oddest deeds ever recorded, Rutherford, president of the International Bible Students
Association and the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, has placed in trust the magnificent
estate for ancient kings and prophets of Israel. The slayer of Goliath and his companions may
occupy the 10 room modern home with it's landscaped gardens and patio as soon as their
credentials are approved by Rutherford and officials of his societies, divinely authorised to
recognise them. One morning as I was going from the house to the garage, a queer looking
creature approached me, tipped his dirty hat and cried 'Howdy Judge, I'm David'. 'Go and tell that
to the winds', I told him and he left without arguing the matter. I could see at a glance that he was
not David. He didn't look like I knew David would look.' Asked how he expected David and his
distinguished brethren to look, Rutherford, without hesitation, opened his huge Bible and pointed
to a verse which said that the Princes of the Universe would be risen from the dead 'as perfect
men'. 'I interpret that to mean', the tall dignified Judge declared, 'that David, Gideon, Barak,
Samson, Jepthae, Joseph and Samuel will be sent here to wrench the world from Satan's grasp,
clothed in modern garb as we are, and able, with little effort, to speak our tongue.' Rutherford
pictured the arrival of the biblical delegation perhaps in frock coats, high hats, canes and spats.
At Beth Sarim (House of Princes) as Rutherford has named his mansion, David will find the most
modern appliances that science has devised. When the distinguished guests walk up the circular
stairway to the second floor, they will find a large office with red leather chairs and shiny flat
topped desk with inverted lighting. Even French telephones await the touch of the princes.
Opening a wide door, the native sons of Palestine will behold a large bathroom, resplendent in
shiny black tile with needle shower and an amply filled medicine chest. What a thrill giant
shouldered Samson, who wrecked a palace with his bare fists might find in the gold safety razor
and strop! Rutherford built the second floor bedroom, which he temporarily occupies, large in
order to accommodate several of the expected owners. With wide pane windows that look out on
the purple Cuyamacas to the East and California's first mission to the north, the bedroom is
almost severe in it's furnishings. The rulers of the universe will have simple tastes, the judge
apparently believes, although the austere end tables sported gaily covered fiction magazines.
Rutherford has imported some Koniach, Wasser from Cologne, Germany to freshen the princely
faces after shaving. A black skull cap hangs over one of the bedposts. The coming of David and
his companions will be the greatest news story of the ages, Rutherford predicted. 'I am not a
publicity seeker,' Rutherford said with a twinkle in his kindly brown eyes, 'but I feel that the world
should know about their arrival. It will be a great news story.' Word of his 'House of king David'
has reached into every corner of the world, the judge stated. 'Everywhere I went people asked
me about this place,' Rutherford said. 'In Chicago a millionaire manufacturer offered to build
another house for David, but I declined the offer. 'Literally thousands have driven here to see this
place,' Rutherford continued. 'Many have come to the door and my secretary has shown them
about the place.' The patio with it's silver pool and olive and palm trees is gay with flowers. Down
toward the canyon, paths have been landscaped to allow David and his friends to walk in
meditation. Many of the fruits and trees, native to their Palestine, will greet the rulers when they
arrive. In the two car garage next door stands a new, yellow 16 cylinder coupe which will be
turned over to the rulers along with all the personal property on the place. 'Everything will be
theirs, the house, the land, the furnishings and even the clothes if they need them,' Judge
Rutherford said. 'What will I do? Oh, don't worry about me. I'll manage somehow.' the judge
smiled. He had another 'Watch Tower' residence on Staten Island and practically an entire floor at
Bethel. The seven famous men will not have long to rest at their San Deigo estate because they
soon will lead the forces of the Lord to vanquish the minions of Satan at the battle of
Armageddon, Rutherford believed. 'But they will win out. The Lord will punish the devil and will
show that the preachers and the politicians have been giving the people false counsel,'
Rutherford said confidently. Rutherford will sail May 9 for Europe where he will speak before
conventions in Berlin, Paris and London. (San Deigo Sun Newspaper report, Jan. 9, 1931)
1935 "... the scriptural evidence and the physical facts strongly indicate that such witness work is
now almost done; and when it is done the universal war will begin. Universal war is absolutely
certain to come and that soon, and no power can stop it... during the few remaining months until
the breaking of that universal cataclysm the powers that rule the nations of the earth will continue
to make treaties and tell the people that by such means they will keep that world peace and bring
about prosperity. (Universal War Near, 1935, p. 3, 26-27)
1938 "...mark the words of Jesus, which definitely seem to discourage the bearing of children
immediately before or during Armageddon... It would therefore appear that there is no reasonable
or scriptural injunction to bring children into the world immediately before Armageddon, where we
now are." (Watchtower, Nov. 1, 1938, p. 324)
1938 "They had preached that in an early time God would overthrow "Christendom". Many had
emphasized the year 1925 as the date, and then when that date did not materialize the date was
moved up to 1932. Again, 1932 came and ''Christendom'' was not destroyed, and now it was
discovered that "Christendom" would be spared for a while longer for the sake of the Jonadab
class, and this made the proud "elective elder" crowd very mad." (Watchtower Feb. 15, 1938 p.
54)
1938 As far back as 1880 The Watchtower pointed to A.D. 1914 as the date marking the end of
the world, at which time great trouble would come upon the nations; but at that time it was not
seen by God's people on earth that the trouble would be the battle of Jehovah against Satan's
organization. For many years it was believed by them, and so stated in The Watchtower, that "the
time of trouble" would be a terrific clash between the various elements of the earth, such as
capital and labor. Not until 1925 was "the time of trouble" Scripturally understood." (Watchtower,
p. 35, Feb. 1, 1938)
1939 At San Deigo, California, there is a small piece of land, on which, in the year 1929 there
was built a house, which is called and known as Beth Sarim. The Hebrew words Beth Sarim
mean 'House of the Princes'; and the purpose of acquiring that property and building the house
was that there are those on earth today who fully believe in God and Christ Jesus and in His
Kingdom, and who believe that the faithful men of old will soon be resurrected by the Lord, be
back on earth, and take charge of the visible affairs of earth. The title to Beth Sarim is vested in
the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in trust, to be used by the president of the Society and
his assistants for the present, and thereafter to be forever at the disposal of the aforementioned
princes on the earth.... It stands there as a testimony to Jehovah's name; and when the princes
do return, and some of them occupy the property, such will be a confirmation of the faith and
hope that induced the building of Beth Sarim. (Salvation, 1939, p. 311)
1940 The prophecies of Almighty God, the fulfillment of which now clearly appears from the
physical facts, show that the end of religion has come and with its end the complete downfall of
Satan's entire organization." (Religion, J. F. Rutherford, p. 336, 1940)
1942 "The Lord Jesus has now come to the temple for judgment, and the remnant of the
members of 'his body' yet on earth he has gathered into the temple condition of perfect unity with
himself (Malachi 3:1-3), and hence those faithful men of old may be expected back from the dead
any day now. The Scriptures give good reason to believe that it shall be shortly before
Armageddon breaks. In this expectation the house at San Diego, California, which house has
been much publicized with malicious intent by the religious enemy, was built, in 1930, and named
'Beth Sarim,' meaning 'House of Princes.' It is now held in trust for the occupancy of those princes
on their return. The most recent facts show that the religionists of this doomed world are gnashing
their teeth because of the testimony which that 'House of Princes' hears to the new world. To
those religionists and their allies the return of those faithful men of old to rule with judgment over
the people shall not bring any pleasure. But to the people whom the angels sang about, 'men of
good will,' it shall be an occasion for unbounded jubilation, and they shall rally to the side of those
princely representatives of the kingdom of heaven." (The New World, pp. 104-105, 1942)
1942 Such activity in publishing God's kingdom and clearing his name of the Devil's reproaches
by religion was mistakenly given a place secondary to the making of the bride of Christ class
ready for the marriage with him in heaven, in 1914 as some thought. (The New World; 1942;
2,000,000 ed.; p. 273-274)
1942 "The faithful acts of the men who were known as fathers in Israel are recounted in the
eleventh chapter of Hebrews. Genesis 12:1-3; 28:13,14; Acts 7:2-5....These men will be the
visible representatives of the Theocracy, which is the government created and built up by the
almighty God as his capital organization and which shall rule the world. Further proof that these
princes will shortly take office upon earth as perfect men is found in the prophecy of Daniel. But
go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
(Daniel 12:13) Daniel's lot is that of these princes. Proof is now submitted that we are now living
at the end of the days, and we may expect to see Daniel and the other mentioned princes any
day now!" (Consolation, April 27, 1942, p. 13, brackets in the original)
1943 "Man cannot by airplane or rockets or other means get above the air envelope which is
about our earthly globe..."(The Truth Shall Make you Free, p. 285, 1943 edition)
1951 "Under the guidance of God's spirit of freedom the magazine today known as the
Watchtower but known back there as Zion's Watch Tower, began to be published in July, 1879. In
the first year of its publication it pointed to the date 1914 as marked in the Bible." (What Has
Religion Done For Mankind?; 1951; p. 308)
1963 "Of what significance is this today? It means that by the fall of 1963 mankind has dwelt
upon this earth 5,988 years. Does this mean, then, that by 1963 we had progressed 5,988 years
into the 'day' on which Jehovah 'has been resting from all his work'? (Gen. 2:3) No, for the
creation of Adam does not correspond with the beginning of Jehovah's rest day. Following
Adam's creation, and still within the sixth creative day, Jehovah appears to have been forming
further animal and bird creations. Also, he had Adam name the animals, which would take some
time, and he proceeded to create Eve. (Gen. 2:18-22; see also NW, 1953 Ed., footnote on Vs. 19)
Whatever time elapsed between Adam's creation and the end of the 'sixth day' must be
subtracted from the 5,988 years in order to give the actual length of time from the beginning of
the 'seventh day' until now. It does no good to use Bible chronology for speculating on dates that
are still future in the stream of time." (All Scripture is inspired of God and Beneficial, 1963, page
286)
1966 "According to this trustworthy Bible chronology six thousand years from man's creation will
end in 1975, and the seventh period of a thousand years of human history will begin in the fall of
1975 C.E Six thousand years of man's existence on earth will soon be up, yea within this
generation. The rein of Christ...to run parallel with the 7th millennium ..." (Life Everlasting in
Freedom of the Sons of God, 1966, p. 29-30) Contradictory
1968 "The immediate future is certain to be filled with climatic events, for this old system is
nearing its complete end. Within a few years at most the final parts of Bible prophecy relative to
these last days will undergo fulfilment resulting in the liberation of surviving mankind into Christ's
glorious 1000 year reign!" (Watchtower, 1/5/1968)
1968 "'Adam Created At Close Of 'Sixth Day' Are we to assume from this study that the battle of
Armageddon will be all over by the autumn of 1975, and the long-looked-for thousand-year reign
of Christ will begin by then? Possibly, but we wait to see how closely the seventh thousand-year
period of man's existence coincides with the Sabbath-like thousand-year reign of Christ....It may
involve only a difference of weeks or months, not years.' (Watchtower, Aug. 15, 1968, p. 499)
1968 "The Bible speaks of the time in which we are living as the "last days" or the "time of the
end." (2 Timothy 3:1; Daniel 11:40) The facts show that this is a limited period that has a definite
beginning and a definite end. It began in 1914 when Jesus Christ was enthroned as king in the
heavens. It will end when God destroys this present wicked system of things. … How soon will
that be? God's own Son, Jesus Christ, gives the answer. After drawing attention to the many
things that mark the period from 1914 onward as the "time of the end," Jesus said: "This
generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." (Matthew 24:34) Which
generation did he mean? Jesus had just referred to persons who would "see all these things."
"These things" are the events that have taken place since 1914 and those yet to occur down to
the end of this wicked system. (Matthew 24:33) Persons born even as much as fifty years ago
could not see "all these things." They came on the scene after the foretold events were already
under way. But there are people still living who were alive in 1914 and saw what was happening
then and who were old enough that they still remember those events. This generation is getting
up in years now. A great number of them have already passed away in death. Yet Jesus very
pointedly said: 'This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' Some of
them will still be alive to see the end of this wicked system. This means that only a short time is
left before the end comes!" (Truth That Leads To Eternal Life, p. 94, 1968)
1968 "Just think, brothers, there are only about ninety months left before 6,000 years of mans
existence on earth is completed... The majority of people living today will probably be alive when
Armageddon breaks out, and there are no resurrection hopes for those who are destroyed then.
So, now more than ever, it is vital not to ignore that spirit of wanting to do more." (Kingdom
Ministry, March 1968, p. 4 [note: 1968 + 90 months = 1975])
"AWAKE!" October 8, 1968, Headline: "Is It Later Than You
Think?" "Is Time Running out For This Generation? What Will
the 1970's Bring?"
1968 "The 1970's will certainly see the most critical times
mankind has yet known. The deterioration in human relations -
within families, communities, cities and nations, and between
nations - will worsen, not improve." (Awake!, Oct.8, 1968 p.19)
1968 "True, there have been those in times past who
predicted an ‘end to the world', even announcing a specific
date. Yet nothing happened. The ‘end' did not come. They
were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing?..
Missing from such people were God's truths and evidence that
he was using and guiding them." (Awake, Oct.8, 1968, p.19)
1969 More recently earnest researchers of the Holy Bible have made a recheck of its chronology.
According to their calculations the six millenniums of mankind's life on earth would end in the mid-
seventies. Thus the seventh millennium from mans creation by Jehovah god would begin within
less than ten years. Apart from the global change that present-day world condition indicate is fast
getting near, the arrival of the seventh millennium of mans existence on earth suggests a
gladsome change for war-stricken humankind. ...In order for the Lord Jesus Christ to be Lord
even of the Sabbath day, his thousand-year reign would have to be the seventh in a series of
thousand-year periods or millenniums. (Matt 12:8, AV) Thus it would be a sabbatic reign. Since
early in the existence of mankind Satan the Devil has been on the loose, making the human
family to toil in hard bondage, causing the earth to be filled with violence before the global flood of
Noahs day and inducing the same old earth to be filled with even greater violence today. Soon
now six millenniums of his wicked exploiting of mankind as his slaves will end, within the lifetime
of the generation that has witnessed world events since the close of the gentile times in 1914 till
now, according to the prophetic words of Jesus in Matthew 24:34. Would not, then, the end of six
millenniums of mankind's laborious enslavement under Satan the Devil be the fitting time for
Jehovah God to usher in a Sabbath millennium for all his human creatures? Yes, indeed! And his
King Jesus Christ will be Lord of that Sabbath." (Watchtower, Nov. 15, 1969, p. 622, 623)
1971 "Shortly, within our twentieth century, the "battle in the day of Jehovah" will begin against
the modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom." (The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah;
1971; 2nd ed.; p. 216)
1972 "Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a 'prophet' of God. It is another thing to
prove it. The only way that this can be done is to review the record. What does it show?"
(Watchtower April 1, 1972, p. 197)
1972 "Does this admission of making mistakes stamp them [Watchtower] as false prophets? Not
at all, for false prophets do not admit to making mistakes." (Watchtower, Nov. 1, 1972, p. 644)
1975 "The year 1925 came and went. Jesus' anointed followers were still on earth as a class. The
faithful men of old time - Abraham, David and others - had not been resurrected to become
princes in the earth. (Ps. 45:16) So, as Anna MacDonald recalls: '1925 was a sad year for many
brothers. Some of them were stumbled; their hopes were dashed...Instead of it's being
considered a 'probability,' they read into it that it was a 'certainty.' and some prepared for their
loved ones with expectations of their resurrection." (Yearbook, 1975, p. 146)
1975 "Does this mean, then, that mankind has now reached 6,000 years into the 7,000 year
period that God blessed and made sacred as his rest day? ... No, It does not mean that."
(Watchtower 1/10/1975 p. 579)
1975 However, suddenly, there came an end to World War 1. It did not lead on, as Bible students
expected, into world revolution and anarchy or the battle of Armageddon. And the sincere
worshippers of Jehovah who were in the new covenant with him through his Mediator Jesus
Christ, found themselves still in the flesh on the earth. (Man's Salvation Out Of World Distress At
Hand; 1975; p. 98)
1976 "It may be that some who have been serving God have planned their lives according to a
mistaken view of just what was to happen on a certain date or in a certain year. They may have,
for this reason, put off or neglected things that they otherwise would have cared for. But they
have missed the point of the Bibles warnings concerning the end of this system of things, thinking
that Bible chronology reveals the specific date." (Watchtower, July 15, 1976, p. 440)
1979 Because of this hope, the "faithful and discreet slave" has alerted all of God's people to the
sign of the times indicating the nearness of God's Kingdom rule. In this regard, however, it must
be observed that this "faithful and discreet slave" was never inspired, never perfect. Those
writings by certain members of the "slave" class that came to form the Christian part of God's
Word were inspired and infallible, but that is not true of other writings since. Things published
were not perfect in the days of Charles Taze Russell, first president of the Watch Tower Bible and
Tract Society; nor were they perfect in the days of J.F. Rutherford, the succeeding president. The
increasing light on God's Word as well as the facts of history have repeatedly required that
adjustments of one kind or another be made down to the very present time. But let us never
forget that the motives of this "slave" were always pure, unselfish; at all times it has been well-
meaning. (The Watchtower; March 1, 1979; p. 24)
1979 Partly because of eagerness to be alive when Jesus Christ reveals himself in glory, there
have been believers throughout the centuries who began looking for a particular period or a year
for the windup of the ungodly system of things. This has happened right down to these "last
days." Since certain expectations were not realized, many stumbled and returned to the ways of
the world. In fulfillment of Peter's words, even today we hear the voice of ridiculers. (2 Peter
3:3,4) (Choosing The Best Way Of Life; 1979; p. 169)
1980 If the wicked system of this world survived until the turn of the century (the year 2000),
which is highly improbable in view of world trends and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, there
would still be survivors of the World War I generation. However, the fact that their number is
dwindling is one more indication that "the conclusion of the system of things" is moving fast
toward its end. (The Watchtower, Oct. 15, 1980, p. 31)
1982 "The Bible not only foretold these things, but indicated that they would occur on a worldwide
scale. Also, the Bible said that all these things would happen upon the generation that was alive
in 1914. Yet what were prominent world leaders foretelling just before 1914? They were saying
that conditions promising world peace were never more favorable. Yet the terrible troubles the
Bible foretold began right on time, in 1914! In fact, world leaders now say that 1914 was a turning
point in history. After drawing attention to the many things that have marked the period from 1914
onward, Jesus said: 'This generation will by no means pass away until all these things [including
the end of this system] occur.' (Matthew 24:34, 14) Which generation did Jesus mean? He meant
the generation of people who were living in 1914. Those persons yet remaining of that generation
are now very old. However, some of them will still be alive to see the end of this wicked system.
So of this we can be certain: Shortly now there will be a sudden end to all wickedness and wicked
people at Armageddon." (You Can Live Forever In Paradise On Earth, p 154, 1982)
1984 Some of that "generation (of 1914)" could survive until the end of the century. But there are
many indications that "the end" is much closer than that! (The Watchtower, Mar.1, 1984, p.18-19)
1984 "These definitions embrace both those born around the time of a historic event and all those
alive at that time. If Jesus used 'generation' in that sense and we apply it to 1914, then the babies
of that generation are now 70 years old or older. And others alive in 1914 are in their 80's or 90's,
a few even having reached a hundred. There are still many millions of that generation alive.
Some of them 'will by no means pass away until all things occur." (Watchtower, May.15, 1984,
p.5)
1986 Prophetic information in the Bible about our day detail the following: ... (4) The survival of at
least some of the generation that saw the beginning of "the conclusion of the system of things."
(True Peace And Security; 1986; p. 70)
1989 "The apostle Paul was spearheading the Christian missionary activity. He was also laying a
foundation for a work that would be completed in our 20th century." (Watchtower, Jan. 1, 1989, p.
12 [bound volume changed "20th century" to "day"])
1990 Adult Christians too can be disappointed, and this has in some cases led to spiritual
disaster. Some set their hope on a date when they were sure Armageddon would come. When
nothing happened on that day, they felt let down. (The Watchtower; 4/15/1990; p. 27)
1992 "Today, a small percentage of mankind can still recall the dramatic events of 1914. Will that
elderly generation pass away before God saves the earth from ruin? Not according to Bible
prophecy. 'When you see all these things,' Jesus PROMISED, 'know that he is near at the doors.
Truly I say to you that THIS generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' -
Matthew 24:33, 34." (Watchtower May 1, 1992 page 3: The Year That Shocked The World)
1993 "Further, the widely circulated booklet Millions Now Living Will Never Die presented the
view that in 1925, God's purposes regarding the restoring of the earth to Paradise and the
resurrecting of the faithful ones of old would begin to be fulfilled. ... The year 1925 came to its
conclusion, but the end was not yet! Ever since the 1870's, Bible Students had been serving with
a date in mind - first 1914, then 1925. Now they realized that they must serve for as long as
Jehovah wishes." (Watchtower; Nov. 1, 1993; p. 12)
1995 [Discussing the generation of Matthew 24] "apparently refers to the peoples of earth (now)
who see the sign of Christ presence but fail to mend their ways." (Watchtower Nov.1, 1995 p.12)
1995 "Why Awake is Published"
…before Nov 8th 1995: Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's
promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914
passes away."
…after Nov. 8 1995, reference to '1914 generation' deleted: "Most important, this magazine
builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure world that is about to replace
the present wicked, lawless system of things."
A JW might say that the organization is still learning. If that is so, then how can they trust what
they are taught now by the Watchtower? Will what they are being taught now change also?
A true prophet of God won't err in prophesying. Only a false prophet does. The Jehovah's
Witness organization, that claims to be a prophet of God, is really a false prophet. Jesus warned
us by saying, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and
miracles to deceive even the elect -- if that were possible" (Matt. 24:24).
