Hello seedy3,
I do hope that the following informations, which I did
Post sometime ago will be of help to you.
(from
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/46616/1.ashx
)
???quotes
concerning various and different years, highlighted
by the WTBS Inc. as years with a special and/or
prophetic meaning. The latest one is the year 1919
and the WTBS Inc. has made full use of it in two of
the most recent publications.
(PART ONE )
This time as the title states, I'll show some quotes
from the book:
" Isaiah's Prophecy - Lightfor all Mankind " Vol. II
published by the WTBS of New York, Inc.
International Bible Students Association Brooklyn,
New York, U.S.A. in the year 2001, and used in all
congregational's book studies. The schedule began on
September 16 th 2002, and will end on October 13 th , 2003.
In this book there are many reference made about the year " 1919 ".
For the sake of clarity I've chosen some - out of a total 56 -
and I'll prove with the WTBS Inc., that after all , that year
" 1919 " was not so special and blessed by God ,as they
would like all the JWs - esp. the " R& F " to believe.
I've chosen, as proofs, only some of the most important and
clear evidences - where possible from some of the
most recent publications - otherwise this research , would
have taken too much space.
Let's begin with the quotes from the Isaiah's book:
****page 272, 21 :
" Jehovah showed concern for the welfare of the anointed remnant in 1919. because of their contrite humble spirit, the great God, Jehovah, kindly noticed their affliction and delivered them from Babylonish captivity. He removed all stumbling blocks and led them to freedom so that they could render pure worship to him."
***page 306, 5 :
" In 1919, however, Jehovah shed forth his light upon them. In response , they stood up and reflected God's light, fearlessly proclaiming the good news of God's Kingdom.-Matthew 5:14-16;24:14 "
page 326-327, 13 :
" The final one of these stately " trees" have flourished in the years since 1919, when Jehovah revived the remaining one of the Israel of God from their
temporary state of inactivity. By supplying them with an abundant supply of spiritual waters, Jehovah has produced a virtual forest of righteous, fruit -bearing trees. - Isaiah 27:6 "
page 330, 21, :
" Finally, in the spring of 1919, they were freed, and later all charges against them
were dropped. Thus the scheme to stop the preaching work backfired. Instead of allowing his worshipers to suffer lasting shame, Jehovah liberated them and restored them to their spiritual estate, "their land". There they received a double portion of blessings. Having Jehovah's blessing more than made up for all that they had suffered. Truly they had reasons to cry out joyfully!"
page 340, 10 :
" Starting in 1919 a similar change was experienced by the Israel of God.
during the first world war, anointed Christians appeared to be disowned by God. But in 1919 their favored status was restored, and their way of worship, purified. This affected their teachings, their organization, and their activity. The Israel of God came into its "land," its spiritual estate, or realm of activity.- Isaiah 66:7,8,20-22 "
page 345-346 20:
"Since 1919, anointed Christians
have been set apart for divine service and are traveling "the Way of Holiness." (Isaiah 35:8) They were the first to walk on the spiritual highway out of Babylon the Great. (Isaiah 40:3; 48:20) God gave them the privilege of taking the lead in declaring his mighty works and in showing others the way onto the highway. Ridding it of stones - clearing away stumbling blocks - was mainly for their own benefit. (Isaiah 57:14) They needed to see God's purpose and teaching clearly. False beliefs are stumbling stones on the pathway to life, but Jehovah's Word is " like a a forge hammer that smashes the crag." With it, anointed Christians shattered stumbling stones that could trip those who wanted to serve Jehovah.- Jeremiah 23:29 "
page 346, 21 :
" In 1919 when the anointed remnant were delivered from bondage to false
religion,
they did not wander aimlesly."
page 348, 24:
" In 1918, three and a half years after his enthronement, he cleansed Jehovah's spiritual temple, as represented on earth by the congregation of anointed Christians. (Malachi 3:1-5) His being raised as a signal marked the beginning of the great ingathering of people from all over the earth, in support of the Messianic Kingdom. Following the ancient pattern, " salvation " came to the Israel of God when they were liberated from Babylon the Great in 1919. "
- Personally, the following THREE quotes are brilliant, just pure gems.!!! Hold on, first turn to page 397, 14:
" In the modern-day fulfillment of these prophecies , there was an inmportant spiritual development in 1918 in connection with Jehovah's worship. Jehovah and Jesus evidently made an inspection of all those claiming to represent pure worship. That inspection led to the final casting off of corrupt Christendom. For Christ's anointed followers, the inspection meant a brief period of refinement followed by a swift spiritual restoration in 1919.- 1 Peter 4:17 "
Now for the final fireworks , lets turn to page 400 - 15 more pages and then it will be the end of the 2 nd volume - and take 19 :
" Spiritual Israel too was blessed with abundant nourishment after the restoration in 1919. Since then the flow of spiritual food dispensed through "the faithful and discreet slave " has been steady. (Matthew 24:45-47) This has indeed been a time of consolation and joy for the anointed remnant. But there have been further blessings."
Finally let's advance to page 415, to a very revealing and loaded paragraph 15,
one last effort:
" The anointed ones who were gathered in the early years did not expect Jehovah to accept them as they were before coming to a knowledge of Bible truth. They took steps to cleanse themselves of spiritual and moral defilements so that they could be presented as a " gift in a clean vessel," or as stated by the apostle Paul, " a chaste virgin to the Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:2) In addition to rejecting doctrinal error , the anointed ones had to learn how to remain strictly neutral in the political affairs of this world. In 1931, when his servants had been cleansed to an appropriate degree , Jehovah graciously granted them the privilege of bearing his name as Jehovah's Witnesses . (Isaiah 43:10-12)."
Please keep in mind that this material has been published in
the year 2001,
which means more that
82 years after the events of 1919 "!
Now let's go to the WTBS Inc. quotes that surely will give a completely different, if not opposite view concerning the " spiritual " situation of the "e a r l y Bible Sttudents " before, during and after the year 1919.
Many of such informations can be read in a well known book:
"Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose " published by the WTBS Inc.
in the year 1959 .
There on page 91 it is written the situation and even
the "uncleanliness " of " the early Bible students"
***Believed that there were certain saving qualities in their self-merit;
"Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose "
published by the WTBS Inc. , in 1959 , page 91
***Were guilty of creature worship;
"Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose "
published by the WTBS Inc. , in 1959 , page 91
***They had a democratic form of 'election 'for
congregational oversight (elders and deacons);
"Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose "
published by the WTBS Inc. , in 1959 , page 91
***Had an incorrect view of the " higher powers "
mentioned in Romans 13:1;
"Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose "
published by the WTBS Inc. , in 1959 , page 91
Furthermore the " early Bible Students "
***Celebrated " pagan " holydays such as Christmas ;
" Proclaimers' book, published in 1993:
*** jv 198-9 14 "They Are No Part of the World" ***
WhentheWorldHadItsHolidays
When Jehovahs Witnesses cast aside religious teachings that had pagan roots, they also quit sharing in many customs that were similarly tainted. But for a time, certain holidays were not given the careful scrutiny that they needed. One of these was Christmas.
This holiday was celebrated yearly even by members of the Watch Tower Societys headquarters staff at the Bethel Home in Brooklyn, New York.
For many years they had been aware that December 25 was not the correct date, but they reasoned that the date had long been popularly associated with the birth of the Savior and that doing good for others was proper on any day. However, after further investigation of the subject, the members of the Societys headquarters staff, as well as the staffs at the Societys branch offices in England and in Switzerland, decided to stop sharing in Christmas festivities, so no Christmas celebration was held there after 1926.
***Celebrated birthdays :
*** jv 200 14 "They Are No Part of the World" ***
In their Daily Manna book, Bible Students kept a list of birthdays. But after they quit celebrating Christmas and when they realized that birthday celebrations were giving undue honor to creatures (one reason that early Christians never celebrated birthdays), the Bible Students quit this practice too."
***Taught , for decades that the Great Pyramid
was a strong and corroborative witness to Gods plan ;
From the
"Proclaimers" A book, published by the WTBS Inc., in 1993 -
*** jv 200 14 "They Are No Part of the World" *** (publ. 1993)
For some 35 years, Pastor Russell thought that the Great Pyramid of Gizeh was Gods stone witness, corroborating Biblical time periods. (Isa. 19:19)
But Jehovahs Witnesses have abandoned the idea that an Egyptian pyramid has
anything to do with true worship.
(See Watchtower issues of November 15 and December 1, 1928)
Yet the same book
" Proclaimers " , wrote , only 421 pages after:
*** jv 621 28 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
It certainly could not be expected that God would use C. T. Russell if he did not loyally adhere to Gods Word. (Jer. 23:28; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17)
And :
"As Jehovahs Witnesses today review the work that he did, the things he taught, his reason for teaching them, and the outcome, they have no doubt that Charles Taze Russell was, indeed, used by God in a special way and at a significant time."
But of course, another 7 years passed and the WTBS Inc. gave an entirely
different picture , about the matter , in the pages of The Watchtower , 1st January 2000, pages 9-10 16-17 :
Some Bible Students became engrossed with measuring different
features of the pyramid to determine such matters as the day they would be going to heaven ! This so-called Bible in Stone was held in esteem for some decades , until the Watchtower issues of November 15th and December 1st, 1928, made clear that Jehovah needed no stone monument built by pagan pharaohs and containing demonic signs of astrology to confirm the witness given in the Bible.
***Taught false dates as if truly coming from God :
i.e.
1874, 1878, 1881
*** jv 632 28 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
Based on the premise that events of the first century might find parallels in related events later, they also concluded that if Jesus baptism and anointing in the autumn of 29 C.E. paralleled the beginning of an invisible presence in 1874, then his riding into Jerusalem as King in the spring of 33 C.E. would point to the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King. They also thought they would be given their heavenly reward at that time. When that did not occur, they concluded that since Jesus anointed followers were to share with him in the Kingdom, the resurrection to spirit life of those already sleeping in death began then. It was also reasoned that the end of Gods special favor to natural Israel down to 36 C.E. might point to 1881 as the time when the special opportunity to become part of spiritual Israel would close
.
Started teaching from the year
1918 :
"In this year on February 24, the discourse :
"The World Has Ended -- Millions Now Living Will Never Die"
is first delivered in Los Angeles, CA. ,by brother Rutherford.
This is followed by another one , in March 31, in Boston ,MA.-"
"Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose "
published by the WTBS Inc. , in 1959 , pages 76, 77, 93, 98, 104, 140
Many things were written in the 128- pages book :
Millions Now Living Will Never Die " like the expectations
abouth the year 1925 :
From the Yearbook 1980 , page 62 :
The book Millions
had been widely used in the French field since 1921 and on the basis of its contents, much was expectedof 1925. But when 1925 came and went without the anticipated happening coming to pass, those on the outside who had read the book made fun of the brothers. Worse still, the faith of some of the brothers themselves was shaken.
Some expected to go to heaven that year."
Concerning the publicity given , the book :
"Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose "
published by the WTBS Inc. , in 1959 , page 140
stated :
..the campaign Millions Now Living Will Never Die
from 1918 to 1921 was a step in the direction of reaching this
class destined one day to populate the earth.
As a further proof, read what was written , even in the
year 1919,
there is a good one in:
" The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence
"
December 15 th , 1919 n 24 Vol. XL, page 373:
"The public seems eager to know something about the times in which
we are living and the meaning of all these wonderful phenomena. It a
great comfort to the hearts of many people to hear the message ,
" Millions Now Living Will Never Die,"
which the Lord's people can
confidently " announce
, knowing that many of the generation now
upon the earth shall not pass away bu live on until the Lord's Kingdom is fully established .
They have in mind the words of the Master that ' were not the days of tribulation shortened there would be no flesh saved , but that for the elect's sake much flesh will be saved'; and that thus these millions will be brought through the time of trouble and have the opportunity of accepting the blessing of life under the terms of the New Covenant."
And:
PART TWO :
***Expecting the return of " ancient worthies" and preparing a place for
them!
By the way in 1919, it was not yet " Beth-Sarim" but simply the
Bethel Home " in Brooklyn New York. As a matter of fact this was written
in " The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence " December 15 th ,
1919 n 24 Vol. XL, page 374 :
"The Bethel Home is a spot dear to all the saints on earth. The name Bethel
means the house of God. It was founded by that wise and faithful messenger
of Laodicea, our dear Brother Russell,
as the home from which the message of truth was to be sent forth. In the autumn of 1918 it was dismantled and stood vacant for some time. Many a heart turned longingly toward Bethel, praying that if it might be the Lord's will it would be restored , so that his people in this land
might have one place to which they could look as a temporary resting place in the
earth. The Lord opened the way to restore it and after a few months' strenous
effort it is with pleasure that we are able to announce that the Bethel has been
refurnished and the offices moved into it. The decoration throughout have been
changed, symbolizing the incoming age. While most of the furniture is plain, yet comfortable, the drawing-room and the parlors have been neatly and comfortably
furnished. Some might find occasion to criticize the expenditure of money in
furnishing these, but it has been thought not improbable that the Lord would be pleased to preserve this place and in due time some of the ancient worthies would find here an abiding spot."
* Concerning the particular teaching since the year 1918, also the book:
" Proclaimers " furnishes evidences:
*** jv 632 28 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
In the lecture Millions Now Living Will Never Die, delivered by J. F. Rutherford on March 21, 1920, at the Hippodrome in New York City, attention was directed to the year 1925.
On what basis was it thought to be significant? In a booklet published in that same year, 1920, it was pointed out that if 70fullJubilees were calculated fromwhatwasunderstoodtobethedatewhenIsraelenteredthePromisedLand (instead of starting after the last typical Jubilee beforetheBabylonianexile and then counting to the beginning of the Jubilee year at the end of the 50th cycle), this could point to the year 1925.
On the basis of what was said there, many hoped that perhaps the remaining ones of the little flock would receive their heavenly reward by 1925.
This year
also was associated with expectations for resurrection of faithful pre-Christian servants of God with a view to their serving on earth as princely representatives of the heavenly Kingdom.
If that really occurred,
it would mean that mankind had entered an era in which death would cease to be master, and millions then living could have the hope of never dying off the earth. What a happy prospect!
Though mistaken, they eagerly shared it with others.
***Used Masonic symbols like cross and crown :
*** jv 200 14 "They Are No Part of the World" ***
"For years, Bible Students wore a cross and crown as a
badge of identification, and this symbol was on the front
cover of the Watch Tower
from 1891
to 1931.
But in 1928
it was emphasized that not a decorative symbol but ones
activity as a witness showed he was a Christian.
See also The Watchtower January 1 st , 2000 page 9 15:
For example , in the 1920s many Bible Students wore a pin
featuring a cross-and-crown emblem,
and they celebrated
Christmas and other pagan holidays.
***Used of "The Ancient Egyptian Winged Sun Disk Symbol" on
the book "Finished mistery " published from the year 1917;
(see front cover of the book)
also see an enlarged picture of "The Ancient Egyptian Winged Sun Disk Symbol" from this link:
http://wingedsundisksymbol.homestead.com
/
*** Taught and believed that C.T. Russell was
the "faithful and discreet slave" :
"Jehovah's Witnesss in the Divine purpose "
published by the WTBS Inc. , in 1959 , page 95
stated : Some insisted on living on the past, in
the time of Pastor Russell, when the brothers in general
had viewed him as the sole channel
of Scriptural
enlightenment. It was the published and accepted
thought down till 1927
that he was that servant
of Matthew 24 :45. (footnote : w. 1927, pp.55,56)
and :
*** jv 626 28 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
ClearingUptheIdentityoftheFaithfulandWiseServant
Many who were sifted out
at that time clung to the view that a single individual, Charles Taze Russell, was the faithful and wise servant foretold by Jesus at Matthew 24:45-47 (KJ), which servant would distribute spiritual food to the household of faith
. Particularly following his death, The Watch Tower itself set forth this view for a number of years. In view of the prominent role that Brother Russell had played, it appeared to the Bible Students of that time that this was the case.
He did not personally promote the idea, but he did acknowledge the apparent reasonableness of the arguments of those who favored it. He also emphasized, however, that whoever the Lord might use in such a role must be humble as well as zealous to bring glory to the Master, and that if the one chosen by the Lord failed, he would be replaced by another.
In 1881, Brother Russell himself had expressed the view that that servant was made up of the entire body of faithful spirit-anointed Christians. He saw it as being a collective servant, a class of persons who were united in doing Gods will. (Compare Isaiah 43:10.)
This understanding was reaffirmed by the Bible Students in 1927.
Jehovahs Witnesses today recognize the Watchtower magazine and kindred publications to be the ones used by the faithful and discreet slave to dispense spiritual food. They do not claim that this slave class is infallible, but they do view it as the one channel that the Lord is using during the last days of this system of things.
***
Taught and believed that C.T.Russell ,who died in 1916, was granted
the privilege.to exercise some strong influence on the Harvest work.:
" The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence
" November 1 st ,
1917 page 325 :
"Hence our dear Pastor, now in glory, is without doubt, manifesting a keen interest in the Harvest work, and is permitted by the Lord to exercise some strong influence thereupon. (Revelation 14:17) It is not unreasonable to conclude that he has been privileged to do, in connection with the Harvest work, things which he could not do while with us. Although we recognize that the Lord is the great Master and Director of the Harvest, yet we recognize that He would privilege the saints beyond the veil to have a part in the work on this side; and thus all the saints, both in Heaven and upon earth, are now given the honor of concluding the work on this side, preparatory to the full establishment of the Kingdom of Glory."
Btw this kind of teaching was confirmed, without specific names, and
applied to the all the resurrected anointed, in the year 1988, with the
publication by the WTBS Inc. of the book:
"Revelation It's Grand Climax At Hand! " page 125
"And in response one of the elders said to me: 'These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?' So right away I said to him: 'My lord, you are the one that knows.'" (Revelation 7:13, 14a) Yes, that elder could locate the answer and give it to John. This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today."
In conclusion, I'm sure that there are ample evidences that BEFORE that special year 1919, and even years AFTER, the " early Bible Students" were quite far and away from the teaching of the Word of Godand some of the practices and doctrines remained for many, many years after , in spite of the fact that , according to the WTBS Inc., Jehovah God :
1)
"removed all stumbling blocks and led them to
freedom so that they could render pure worship
to him.
"
2)
"liberated them
and restored them to their spiritual
estate,
"their land". There they received a double
portion of blessings."
3)
"them with an abundant supply of spiritual waters,"
and also
4)
They needed to see God's purpose and teaching clearly.
False beliefs are stumbling stones on the pathway to life,
but Jehovah's Word is " like a a forge hammer that smashes the crag."
My last thought in this matter that the vast majority of the JW's don't have the time (understandable) nor the disposition nor the keen desire (debatable) , to examine what is continually given to them and always labelled as as coming , from the representatives of Jehovah God's visible organization on earth , under the care and the oversight of
God's beloved son , Jesus Christ !!!
Of course until there is life there is hope!
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
" Sustineas tibi Habitu esse similes, qui sint virtute impares".
(Fedro ,IV)
