The next time a JW tells you how close Armageddon is, show him or her this compendium.
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)
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."
{WT Nov 1 1938 324}
1941
"Receiving the gift, [Rutherford's book, Children] the marching children
clasped it to them, not a toy or plaything for idle pleasure, but the Lord's
provided instrument for most effective work in the remaining months before
Armageddon." (Watchtower Sept. 15, 1941, p. 288)
1942
"Now, with Armageddon immediately before us, it is a matter of life or
destruction. Those who would be of the Lord’s other sheep that shall compose
the great multitude of Armageddon survivors and live joyfully on earth forever
must find the answer to a very personal question, and very important."
(Watchtower, April 1, 1942, p. 139)
1946
"the disaster of Armageddon, greater than that which befell Sodom and
Gomorrah, is at the door." (Let God Be True, 1946, p. 194)
1955
"in the light of the fulfillment of Bible prophecy it is becoming clear
that the war of Armageddon is nearing its breaking-out point." (You May Survive
Armageddon into God’s New World, 1955, p 331)
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
fulfillment resulting in the liberation of surviving mankind into Christ's
glorious 1000 year reign!" (Watchtower, 1/5/1968)
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 the evidence that He was using and guiding them. .. But
what about today? Today we have the evidence required, all of it. And it is
overwhelming! All the many, many parts of the great sign of the last days are
here, together with verifying Bible chronology." {Awake Oct 8 1968 23}
1969
"If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will
never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the
evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is
due to end in a few years. {Awake May 22 1969 15}}
1969
"in view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this
system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous....Many young
brothers and sisters were offered scholarship or employment that promised fine
pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests first."
(Kingdom Ministry, June 1969, p. 3)
1974
"Yes, the end of this system is so very near! Is that not reason to
increase our activity?...Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and
property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system
in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time
remaining before the wicked world's end." (Kingdom Ministry, May 1974, p.
3)
1980 "If the wicked system of this world survived until the turn of the
century, 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."
{WT Oct 15 1980 31}
1984
Some of that "generation (of 1914)" could survive until the end of
the century. But there are many indications that "the end" is much
closer than that! (The Watchtower, March 1, 1984 pp. 18-19)
