starting in 1918 and especially after 1920 the bible students (as jehovah's witnesses were then known) started emphasizing the year 1925. these predictions can be seen clearly in the book millions now living will never die.
when 1925 came, how did the watchtower society start preparing their followers for the disappointment?
the february 15, 1925 watchtower contained a long study article entitled "the year of jubilee.
Should not the English usage be "meet" and not "meat."
Actually, it's "meat," from the King James' translation of Matthew 24:45-47. They used the term "meat in due season" to refer to new interpretations of doctrine.
For a background on how Watchtower leaders pushed 1925, see:
starting in 1918 and especially after 1920 the bible students (as jehovah's witnesses were then known) started emphasizing the year 1925. these predictions can be seen clearly in the book millions now living will never die.
when 1925 came, how did the watchtower society start preparing their followers for the disappointment?
the february 15, 1925 watchtower contained a long study article entitled "the year of jubilee.
Here's the conclusion of the article from pages 56-58 of that Watchtower. Portions that show some of the back-pedaling from the dogmatic statements as found in Millions Now Living Will Never Die are italicized.
In July, 1917, it
appeared to many that the work might be violently
overthrown and the dark night set in. The darkness
increased until the spring of 1919. Seven years from
the date when the truth seemed to go under a cloud
it is shining forth with greater brilliancy than was ever
known before.
Some may be inclined to make light of all this.
So were the people of Nazareth when Jesus said that
the words of the prophet were being fulfilled before
their eyes. To us it is a matter of rejoicing as we see
these indications of God's care and interest in his peo-
ple, and his overruling in their work; and we are
stimulated to push on with greater zeal than ever be-
fore, assured that the Lord is still in direct charge, and
that he is carrying on his work exactly on schedule
time. It is not often that he calls the attention of
his people to the fact while they are passing through
some pre-dated experience. In the face of all the fore-
going historical and physical facts, who shall say that
the date of the Columbus Convention was not in the
mind of Jehovah when he sent Nebuchadnezzar to fore-
close the mortgage, July 606 B.C., 2530 years ago?
Does it not also indicate, according to the dates above
given, that the last chronological typical jubilee began
in July, 1924, instead of October; and that the anti-
typical jubilee may begin about July-August, 1925?
Would it be unreasonable to expect that Jehovah will
mark that date to the world as clearly as he did the
year 1914? and as clearly as he has marked the begin-
ning of 1925 to the Church?
WHAT ABOUT 1926?
That 1925 will be a phenomenal year in many
respects is evident.
The Catholics are celebrating their "jubilee", which
began Christmas Eve, December 24th, 1924. The
"jubilee door" of St. Peter's at Borne was opened by the
Pope at that time, and is to remain open for one year.
All who pass through the door are promised his special
blessing. Rome is expecting hundreds of thousands to
take advantage of this special favor, and is making
great preparations to take care of the throngs which will
visit the city during 1925.
The Jews also are looking upon 1925 and expect to
receive some special blessing from Jehovah, though they
do not seem to he certain what it may be. We do
not know where they received their intimation, unless
they have been reading some of our Society's litera-
ture. Nevertheless they are expectant. Various Pro-
testant denominations are becoming worried over the
loss of interest in religion on the part of their congre-
gations, and are trying by various means to overcome it.
It seems to be a weakness of many Bible Students
that if they locate a future date in the Bible, im-
mediately they center as many prophecies upon that
date as possible. This has been the cause of many sift-
ings in the past. As far as we recall, all the dates
foreseen were correct. The difficulty was that the friends
inflated their imaginations beyond reason; and that
when their imaginations burst asunder, they were in-
clined to throw away everything. No doubt Mr. Miller
was correct in locating 1844 as a Bible date. But he
expected too much. 1874 was also easily located. 1878
was also a marked date, and one which caused Brother
Russell a severe trial until he corrected his expectations,
as noted in his "Harvest Sittings", of April, 1894,
now out of print. Many can remember how "absolute-
ly sure" some were about 1914. No doubt the Lord was
pleased with the zeal manifested by his servants; but
did they have a Scriptural basis for all they expected to
come to pass that year? Let us be cautious, therefore,
about predicting particulars. The Lord will make them
clear as fast as they become meat in due season. How-
ever, we feel sure that lie will not chide us if we earnest-
ly and reverently search for what may be revealed,
watching also the facts about us.
We may reasonably expect that 1925 will be a
very active year for the saints on this side the vail; and
also that the adversary will be increasingly active in
his opposition, as he knows that his time is shortening.
The world will be so engrossed with its own troubles
that it will not have much time to think of other
tilings, until people wake up to the facts that their
schemes have been soap bubbles, and that the truth
has been scattered all over the world. The adversary
will he quick to suggest that the scattering of the truth
has been the cause of their disappointments. This will
anger them, and they may attempt strenuous measures
to sup press it, in order to direct attention from them-
selves and to hold their power over the masses. How
long before they attempt this we may not know, nor
need it trouble us. Our Captain is in full control of
the situation, and victory is sure.
No one needs "glasses" to see that the world—polit-
ical, financial, religious, national, and international — is
perplexed and anxious. No one may safely predict
exactly what will take place, even within the next year;
but God has given general indications in his Word of
many things which are yet to come to pass, He has not
specified exactly their chronological order. Therefore
let us first note some of the prophecies which are still
unfulfilled.
Babylon is yet to be east down, as a stone thrown
into the sea. (Revelation 18: 21) The battle of Arma-
geddon is yet to he fought. (Revelation 16: 16) The
"time of trouble such as never was" has not come upon
the earth. (Matthew 24:21,22) The devil is yet to
be bound and east into prison. (Revelation 20:1-4)
The last of the saints are to be changed. (1 Thessa-
lonians 4:15-17) The Lamb is to come forth vic-
torious. (Revelation 17 : 14) The ancient worthies are
to be brought forth and made princes in all the earth.
(Acts 7:5; Daniel 12:13; Hebrews 11:13; Psalm
4S: 16) Jacob is to have his time of trouble. (Ezekiel
38: 14-23) All the prophecies relating to the Millen-
nial Age are yet to be fulfilled.
BLESSING THROUGH THE JEWS
We know the work of restitution must come to the
Jews first, and through them to the rest of the world.
As the Scriptures state that Jerusalem is to be the
capital of the world and that the ancient worthies are
to be princes in all the earth, we are warranted in ex-
pecting that the kingdom work will begin at Jerusalem.
(Isaiah 2:3; 27:13; Zechariah 14: 17) Jerusalem
will need a great deal of cleansing before it will he in
condition to he the capital of the world. The city may
be undergoing changes during all the Millennial Age,
but it will take several years to do some necessary
preliminary work.
According to prophecy we look for a season of great
prosperity to come to Palestine, which will not extend
to the Gentiles. It will he necessary for the Gentiles
to make application for it, as stated in Isaiah 2 : 2-4.
It will take time for some of the Gentiles to overcome
their natural prejudices against the Jews and to humble
themselves sufficiently to accept favors through them.
They may need some of the severe experiences described
in Zechariah 14 : 17-19, R. V.
Whether the blessings here referred to as rain are
literal or not, they refer to something that represents
God's favor. If literal rain be meant, it might take
several years of drought before the Gentiles would at-
tribute the lack of rain to their refusal to make applica-
tion for God's blessings at the hands of the Israelites.
All this will take more or less time.
In the past God's dealing has been with the Jew
first and then with the Gentiles; and the prophecies
state that this rule will continue to be his method.
(Zechariah 8 : 20-23) As the Jews increase in the favor of
God by accepting the ancient worthies as the represent a-
tives of Jehovah and by falling into line with his ar-
rangements, disease and death will rapidly decrease and
shortly cease altogether. The Jews will be going up
the highway of holiness, physically as well as other-
wise. These blessings to the Jews will be quickly
noticed by the Gentiles, and will create in them a desire
for similar favors. It will be one of the means used
by Jehovah to cause them to seek him. Possibly these
are the blessings referred to as "rain" in Zechariah
14:17. As the literal rain refreshes the mown grass,
so a rain of blessing will refresh the withered hopes of
mankind.— Psalm 72 : 6-9 ; Acts 3:19.
We know of no scriptures which state that all dy-
ing will cease immediately throughout the earth as soon
as the kingdom is set up at Jerusalem. On the contrary
Isaiah 2:2-4, Micah 4:1,2, and Zechariah 14:16-19
state that the nations will have to go to Jerusalem for
their blessings — not individually, but representatively,
at least. "Ask and ye shall receive," will doubtless be
the law in the age to come. All the blessings of resti-
tution will be supplied in abundance, but will not be
forced upon any.
From scriptures already quoted, and from many
others, we have reason to expect that after the kingdom
is established at Jerusalem its influence will rapidly
radiate to the uttermost parts of the earth. How
rapidly we are not informed, but with all the modern
conveniences it should not take very long. Probably
those of the righteous who will be carried through the
great time of trouble will be dealt with first, before
those in the graves will be brought forth. It does not
seem unreasonable, therefore, to think that twenty-five
years, possibly more, will pass before the awakening of
the dead shall begin.
WHAT ABOUT THE TIME OF TROUBLE?
Some may conclude that we are expecting a tranquil
transfer from the present condition to the kingdom of
Christ. We have no warrant from the Scriptures for
such expectation. If we had but the present situation
of the world to judge from, reason dictates that with
the high-pressure tension throughout the world—politi-
cally, financially, religiously, fanatically and ignorantly —
with the wheels of activity already grating and heated
with the friction of selfishness and superstition, it would
be impossible to make the great changes outlined in the
Bible without clashes between the contesting parties,
which must result in great trouble, distress and loss of
life and property. However, the Word of God does not
leave us any doubt about it. Isaiah 13: 1-13; Joel 2:1-
11; Psalm 46:7-10, and Matthew 24:21,22 speak
in no uncertain terms. The people of the world are
not yet willing to acknowledge their inability to save
themselves, or to accept the leadership of even Jehovah
himself. God's power will be necessary. "I will cause
the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low
the haughtiness of the terrible." — Isaiah 13. 11.
Recent inventions can be used for the destruction
of life and property which almost makes one's blood
curdle to think about. God will permit the destruction
to go far enough to sober mankind by its very horror,
The exposing of unrighteousness in high places is pre-
paring the people to take vengeance into their own
hands, and great will be their wrath when once they
start.
The French Revolution gives a picture of what a
maddened people can do. The world held its breath in
horror and sought to cover its eyes from the sickening
sight. It took the French nation many years to re-
cover from the shock. How long it will take the world
to sober up after its debauch is not stated.
How much of all this will come to pass in 1926 is
not stated. At present we do not find any definite date
beyond 1926 indicated in the Scriptures. When the
Bible Students found 1914 in the Bible they heralded it
far and wide, but the Lord left the curtain down at
that date until we had reached it. God set his seal
upon 1914, and the work started that year is still go-
ing on. We find the date 1925-1926 clearly indicated
in the prophetic outline, and the Lord has not lifted
the curtain sufficiently for us to sec distinctly beyond.
We feel sure that he will set his seal upon that date
as clearly as he did upon 1914, and he will then let us
see beyond as soon and as far as will be good for us.
Let us learn from experiences of the past not to be
too positive about details. We need have no worry.
We know that God knows. So
'We'd rather walk with him by faith
Than to go alone, by sight;
We'd rather go with him in the dark,
Than go alone in the light.'
Many of us may be called home during 1925 and
1926. Whether we shall be called, or whether Jehovah
shall leave some of us here for a little further work,
what does it matter? If we are faithful, we are just
as acceptable and commendable on this side the vail,
and just as sure of our reward. With such a glorious
hope and the evidences all about us of the divine power
and protection and leading, every consecrated heart should
be inspired to put forth all the energy possible to
complete the race victoriously. Let us go forth con-
fidently, carrying high the banner of the King, pro-
claiming, "The Lord reigneth!" — Psalm 96:10;
Isaiah 52: 7,8.
As we thus keep diligently at work,singing as we
go, trusting in Jehovah for all things necessary, we
will fortify our minds against the darts of the adversary
and increase our own courage, and also be a greater
encouragement to others. —-Romans 16 : 20.
starting in 1918 and especially after 1920 the bible students (as jehovah's witnesses were then known) started emphasizing the year 1925. these predictions can be seen clearly in the book millions now living will never die.
when 1925 came, how did the watchtower society start preparing their followers for the disappointment?
the february 15, 1925 watchtower contained a long study article entitled "the year of jubilee.
Starting in 1918 and especially after 1920 the Bible Students (as Jehovah's Witnesses were then known) started emphasizing the year 1925. These predictions can be seen clearly in the book Millions Now Living Will Never Die. When 1925 came, how did the Watchtower Society start preparing their followers for the disappointment?
The February 15, 1925 Watchtower contained a long study article entitled "The Year of Jubilee." Reading it is reminiscent of how later Fred Franz would start explaining away 1975 in audio lectures he gave early on in that year. While the Millions book was more dogmatic, this Watchtower was a bit more restrained. Still, there are some rather wild statements printed about the significance of that year.
For those interested, a newly made PDF of this February 15, 1925 Watchtower can be read online or downloaded from the Internet Archive:
http://www.archive.org/details/February151925Watchtower
Remember, this is 6 years after Christ supposedly appointed Watchtower leaders to their position of authority to dispense "food at the proper time."
A suggestion: download the PDF of this issue and share it with JW friends. It could prove to be enlightening reading.
a curious practice i have never known in a convention: (wt 1922/07/15 p. 213).
"on sunday morning brother rutherford conducted a question meeting, following which there was a consecration of children.
a great many children were on this occasion publicly presented by their parents to the lord.
"Those expecting to be of the church class do not expect to be long with their children in the flesh. Happy, then, is the thought that they can start the child aright rhere. The most reasonable thing, then, is to consecrate the child to the Lord."
Great find!
This is similar to the way they felt before 1914. Read: "A Father's Letter to His Son" from the Sept. 1, 1908 Watchtower (pp. 263-264):
http://www.a2z.org/wtarchive/docs/1908_Sept_1_Zion%27s_Watch_Tower.pdf
The letter is written by an anonymous Bible Student father to his infant son. The letter is to be opened by this son on his 10 th birthday in the year 1916:
TO MY DEARLY BELOVED SON:--It has been on my heart for a considerable time to write you a letter, to be opened on your tenth birthday, __________, 1916, to endeavor to express something of the feeling of love and tenderness I have towards you, and to point out, for your eternal joy, and for your safety, certain principles, which I hope you will receive into a good and honest heart. At last a favorable opportunity has come, and as my last message to you I beg you to give earnest heed to all that this letter contains.
[He explains why Mom and Dad are gone:]
I know that when this letter is read your papa and mamma will have passed from earthly scenes forever, and the great time of trouble, "such as never was since there was a nation," will no longer be a matter of prophecy, but of history.
[Mom and Dad will have been “changed from earthly to heavenly conditions”:]
The time when the suffering shall be finished is now very near, hence it follows that, if we have proved sufficiently faithful to the Lord, the time is near at hand when we shall share with him the glory that is to follow. This means that very soon it will be true of us, as it is true of the Lord, that we shall be changed from earthly to heavenly conditions, and the world will see us no more, forever.
[This Father is concerned for his son’s future on this earth after the “time of trouble”:]
I come now to the special object of this letter. The Scriptures indicate that in the year 1915, the year before this letter is read, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Isaiah, Daniel, and all the holy prophets and patriarchs from Abel to John the Baptist, will have been raised from the dead and will be in charge of the earthly phase of the Lord's Kingdom, with headquarters at Jerusalem. The Lord's Word also seems to indicate that this truth, and the fact that there has been a change of dispensation, may possibly not be generally believed until the year 1918. I am writing this to you so that you will not be one of those who will be mistaken on this point, but will understand that, by the time this letter is read, the squaring and straightening of earth's affairs will be in progress from Jerusalem, at the hands of the Ancient Worthies.
[This Father also hopes his son may qualify to be later reunited with his Mom and Dad in “the heavenly courts”:]
In addition to this I wish to hold out to you a hope which I feel justified in mentioning. There are some Scriptures which show that, after the close of the Millennial Age, the Ancient Worthies may possibly be given heavenly honors and stations, and there is some reason to believe that, as the child of consecrated parents, you may possibly be counted in with the Ancient Worthies if you make at once a full consecration of your heart to the Lord. If I understand the matter rightly, you occupy a different relation to our heavenly Father than other children, up until the time when you reach years of accountability, and I am hoping that you will take advantage of this special relationship to place yourself as close to the Lord and his work as it is possible for you to do….
Should it be the Father's will that you be permitted to be counted in with the Ancient Worthies, be assured, dear son, that a loving father and mother will greet you in the heavenly courts with joy untold, but in any event, you may be sure we shall always watch your course with fondest affection, doing all we can to aid you in carrying out your good resolutions, and hoping in the end to see you attain to perfect everlasting life, under the happy conditions to be obtained in the golden ages to come, after the last enemy has been destroyed. With tenderest love,Your devoted father,
--------------------------------------
So, when the 1914 hopes and the new emphasis on 1925 started the Bible Students transferred such anxieties about their young children to 1925. They felt they would be going to heaven and leaving their children behind so they would do such consecrations so that their children would stay devoted to God.
i'm a former ministerial servant and bethelite that left about six months ago.
my stay at bethel ended one year ago.
for those interested, this is my story:.
As the work progressed, it became increasingly difficult to ignore that the history we presenting in the films was a "sanitized" version. Important events were skipped over or conveniently worded so as to misrepresent the facts. I spent my nights in the Family Library searching through C.T. Russell's Studies in the Scriptures, issues of Zions's Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Presence from 1879 onward, and the two historical volumes Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose and Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, all published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. I began to notice that there was a clear progression from the oldest publications forward: the organization's history was morphing slowly into a generic inspirational tale.
First, welcome to the board! Fascinating how the real history made you start doubting.
I also was struck by the disparity between the sanitized history we were taught and the reality when I was at Bethel in the 70s. I remember having conversations with a couple of friends about some of the odd incidents in Watchtower history. I was wondering, in your experience are there other Bethelites who spend time researching older publications? Also, do Bethelites have access to the Internet?
i just posted a short video with the soundbyte from the talk in the thread on kingdom control.
here's the link.
i don't know if i can embed it properly:.
The Charitable Planning brochure in PDF can be downloaded from:
some older former bethelites may remember these folks from the cover of a 1984 watchtower:.
this was published during a time while the watchtower society was waging war against the "apostasy" that had started in 1980. one of the issues at stake was the year 1914. these older bethelites were photographed to give tangible proof that the "generation of 1914" would not pass away.
now, nearly 27 years later, they likely have all passed away (along with that generation).. there is a listing of some of the names of these bethelites up at a blog article at this link:.
@asilentone, I worked in the Factory (most of the time on the night shift in the bindery -- Smyth Sewing Dept) so most of my memories are from there. Right now, I don't remember him, sorry. My memories are fading on some points and some others are crystal clear. One good friend I knew who worked in the Laundry dept was Lauren Sanborn. He had been my housekeeper (I had a room in the Towers when the Society was just leasing floors and didn't own it yet and they put male housekeepers over there for awhile) and then he got transferred to the Laundry.
Anyone else have a WT Library CD handy. I know that the Hannans (George and Mary) had their life stories in the WT and also Babbette Herrlinger. I'm looking for the particular issues they were published in and, if possible, their birth year if it's mentioned. As I recall, all 3 go back to Russell's day.
information on how to download the 1928 messenger in pdf will be given at the bottom of this post.. the messenger was the name given by the watchtower society for an occasional watchtower publication that reviewed conventions for bible students/jehovah's witnesses in the 1920s to 1940s.
there were issues published for (not a complete list) 1928, 1931, 1938 and a couple other years.
(perhaps someone else could give a complete list for us?
Those interested can view the 1928 Messenger at the Internet Archive:
http://www.archive.org/details/1928TheMessengerWatchtowerConventionReport
here you can find the reprint volumes 1879 till 1890 in a smaller filesize then the ones sold by research applications.
they are bookmarked and searchable.
http://www.archive.org/details/watchtowerlibrary.
Might have been a glitch. I just tried and it works. There's also other materials in there now as well.
what im about to post is the exact words from the co during the last talk of the most recent special assembly day.
even though im out i still try to keep up with what is being said just cause i find it interesting, and alot of stuff i find funny, but this stuff is starting to get scary, and i fear for my friends who are still in.
here are the exact words:.
I can confirm that the speaker is John Williams from South Carolina Circuit 8.
