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What they say Now is not what they said Then According to their history the Jehovah Witnesses say that they never claimed they were giving prophecies, God was not speaking through their organization. “…Jehovah’s organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by Gods Holy Spirit or active force.” (WatchTower p.402 Sept.1 1973) When they state this they really mean everyone else, because a Jehovah Witness is not permitted to examine the Watchtower as he would other publications. “Avoid Independent Thinking. How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization.” (Watchtower Jan. 15 1983 22) “It is easy for the established churches of Christendom and other people to criticize Jehovah's Witnesses because their publications have, at times, stated that certain things could take place on certain dates. But is not such line of action in harmony with Christ's injunction to 'keep on the watch'? ... But is it not far preferable to make some mistakes because of overeagerness to see God's purposes accomplished… ?” (Watchtower Dec 1 1984 17-8) What they said then... “Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874, A. D. according to the testimony of the prophets, to those who have ears to hear it...” (Studies in The Scriptures vol.4 p.621 1897 (Watchtower Reprints, July 15, 1905, p. 3576) “The scriptures show that his second coming presence was due in 1874….This proof shows the Lord has been present since 1874…” (Watchtower.p.67, Mar.1, 1923) “...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” (Watchtower founder, Charles Taze Russell, The Time is at Hand, p. 99). “¼...the 'battle of the great day of God Almighty' (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present rulership, is already commenced” (Ibid., p. 101). If you are saying the Scripture are saying this and giving a date, is this not prophecy? If this prophecy had come to pass would it not mean it was true a prophecy? “Reexamine ... Vol. 2, pages 246 and 247; change the 37 to 40, 70 to 73 and 1914 to 1918, and we believe it is correct and will be fulfilled 'with great power and glory.”' (Studies in the Scripture, Vol. 7, p. 62) “This chronology is not of man but of God ... of divine origin ... absolutely and unqualifiedly correct.” (Watchtower 7/15/1922, p. 217) “CAN IT BE DELAYED UNTIL 1914?...our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They say that they do not see how present conditions can last so long under the strain. We see no reason for changing the figures - nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God's dates not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble” (Watch Tower, 15 July 1894, p. 226. p. 1677 reprints). Gods dates means what? “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 Scripture Vol. 7, p. 128) 1914, 1915 came and went they continued to 1925… “The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures because it is fixed by the law God gave to Israel. Viewing the present situation in Europe, one wonders how it will be possible to hold back the explosion much longer; and that even before 1925 the great crisis will be reached and probably passed” (Watch Tower, p. 262 Sept.1, 1922,). “The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly marked in the Scripture even more clearly than that of 1914; but it would be presumptuous on the part of any faithful follower of the Lord to assume just what the Lord is going to do during that year” (Watchtower, p. 211 July 15, 1924). “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 of the work, and that therefore it would be needless for them to do more.” (Watchtower 9/1/1925, p. 262) Was it not the Watchtower organization itself that promoted these dates? Instead they blame Satan for the date 1925 being the end, and they are right that date of the end was from Satan. As were all their dates. 50 years later… What they say now Jehovah's Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus' second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions 'in the name of Jehovah.' Never did they say, 'These are the words of Jehovah.' (Awake!, p. 4, March 1993 ). REALLY? They said it was God’s dates and from the Scripture, that is in the name of the Jehovah The Watchtower has also said that some have Jehovah's spirit “does not mean those now serving as Jehovah's witnesses are inspired. It does not mean that the writings in this magazine The Watchtower are inspired and infallible and without mistakes.” (May 15, 1947, page 157) “The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic.” (August 15, 1950, page 263) “The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18)” (February 15, 1981, p.19. Awake! 1993 March 22 pp.3-4 Why So Many False Alarms?) These were only mistakes, but there own words convict them. Speaking of Russell who recently died ... Truly there lived among us in these last days a prophet of the Lord... his works remain an enduring witness to his wisdom and faithfulness! (Watchtower 1917 June 1 p.6091) “True, there have been those in times past who predicted an “end to the world” even announcing a specific date…The end did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying.” (Awake Oct.8, 1968). This means everyone but themselves. God does not make mistakes, man does. Clearly they have prophesied and claimed their founder was a prophet. All one has to do is miss once to be a false prophet. Says who? God in Deut 13, Deut 18 Jesus said he is the truth, the truth will make you free. His word is the truth, and if you believe the Bible you cannot believe the Watchtower because it has lied. ... Brother Rutherford ... May 1-3, 1926 . . . 'It was stated in the “Millions” book that we might reasonably expect them to return shortly after 1925, but this was merely an expressed opinion.' A mistake had been made but, as Brother Rutherford stated, this was no reason to stop serving the Lord.” (1980 YEARBOOK, p. 62) How can this be a mistake When he said “ we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old ... to the condition of human perfection” (“Millions Now Living Will Never Die,” and Watchtower, 7/15/24, p. 89). Really is that what happened. These men of the watchtower are like religious politicians, they never are responsible for what they say or do for the the Lord.”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) In his 1920 book titled Millions Now Living Will Never Die. Rutherford taught that the millennium would start in 1925, that the patriarchs; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were going to return to earth physically. To help God out he built a large palatial Spanish mansion in San Diego, California for Abraham Isaac and Jacob to live in, he called it Beth-Sarim -House of Princes, and tried to deed it to King David. Some quotes of anticipating this event “There will be no slip -up.... Abraham should enter upon the actual possession of his promised inheritance in the year 1925” (WT 10/15/1917, p. 6157) “Beth Sarim was built in 1929 as proof that the resurrection would soon take place.” (Salvation p.311) “The press has scoffed at Beth Sarim, but those faithful men of old will be back on earth before Armageddon ends.” (WT 3/15/1937 p.86) “Beth Sarim, built in 1930 is now held in trust for the occupancy of those princes on their return. “ (New World p.104) “After 1925 expect shortly Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob…”(Way to Paradise p.224) ”“The undertakers will decorate these new rooms for the resurrected ones.” (ibid. p.228) 1925 came and went as do all their dates. When and Abraham, Isaac and Jacob never showed up, Rutherford did not want to waste a perfectly good mansion so he moved into it himself and lived there until he died in 1942. 50 years later the Watchtower wrote “Beth Sarim was built for brother Rutherford’s use.” (1975 yearbook) but that is not what they said when it was being built! 1975 YEARBOOK, p. 146: “The year 1925 came and went. Jesus' anointed followers were still on earth as a class. The faithful men of old times—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 its being considered a “probability,” they read into it that it was a “certainty,” and some prepared for their own loved ones with expectancy of their resurrection.” 5 years later they commented “Considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975.... Statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility. It is to be regretted ... the publication of the information that contributed to the buildup of hopes centered on that date.” (Watchtower 3/15/1980, p. 17) What the Jehovah’s Witness organization actually said, “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 , pp. 89-90) Why wouldn’t they expect it to be true- it came from the Watchtower. “. .. those faithful men of old may be expected back from the dead any day now... 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 the Princes'. It is now held in trust for the occupancy of those princes on their return.” (New World, p. 104) 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) 1993 “Jehovah's Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus' second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Never did they say, 'These are the words of Jehovah.'“ (Awake Mar. 22 1993 p.4) We have just read they did. 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 644} Isn’t that what they have done- not admit they were wrong. A pastor prophesied the end; he was called a false prophet” ( Watchtower 10/15/1958, p. 613)And rightly so. The Watchtower then shifted the prophet from Russell to the watchtower to the people to shift the blame of being false prophets from the leaders. They made an excuse and since it was so far in the past they counted on their followers to not look this up. 1961 Since the Master Jesus Christ had appointed this “slave” class to be “over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time,” the famine-relief spiritual food could come only though this one “channel,” this appointed “slave” class, the Elijah class. (Let Your Name Be Sanctified; 1961; p. 302) This would the people who are considered prophets. 1964 “As Jehovah revealed his truths by means of the first-century Christian congregation so he does today by means of the present-day Christian congregation. Through this agency he is having carried out prophesying on an intensified and unparalleled scale. All this activity is not an accident. Jehovah is the one behind all of it. The abundance of spiritual food and the amazing details of Jehovah's purposes that have been revealed to Jehovah's anointed witnesses are clear evidence that they are the ones mentioned by Jesus when he foretold a “faithful and discreet slave” class that would be used to dispense God's progressive revelations in these last days.” (Watchtower, June 15, 1964, p. 365) 1971 “There is an authentic prophetic class of Christians among us. Jehovah has raised up a genuine 'prophet' within our generation. Regardless of how Christendom views or regards this group of anointed witnesses of Jehovah, the time must come, and that shortly, when those making up Christendom will know that really a 'prophet' of Jehovah was among them. Whom could the real 'chariot' of Jehovah's organization roll up to and confront that He might bestow upon this qualified one the commission to speak as a prophet in the name of Jehovah?... They were a small minority group of men and women who had dedicated themselves to Jehovah as God by following in the footsteps of his Son Jesus Christ.. Who is Ezekiel's present-day counterpart, whose message and conduct correspond with that of that ancient prophet of Jehovah? Of whom today was he a 'sign' or 'portent'? Not of some individual man, but of a group of people.. Who were they?.. they became Jehovah's witnesses.” (The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah - How?, 1971) 1972 “Wanted - a Messenger .. WHAT IS REQUIRED OF GOD'S MESSENGER .. More accurately, was there any group on whom Jehovah would be willing to bestow the commission to speak as a 'prophet' in His name, as was done toward Ezekiel back there in 613 B.C.E.? It is of importance to every individual on earth to identify the group that Jehovah has commissioned as his 'servant' or messenger. We must recognize and understand the warning that he brings. We need to take action on the warning to safeguard our lives, for they are in a danger as grave as that of the lives of Jerusalem's citizens as that city neared destruction. For this reason forthcoming issues of The Watchtower will further discuss the identity and work of Jehovah's commissioned messenger as revealed in His vision to Ezekiel.” (Watchtower Mar. 15 1972 pp.189-90) The next month we find out whom they meant… 1972 “'They Shall Know that a Prophet Was Among Them' People today can view the creative works. They have at hand the Bible, but it is little read or understood. So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? .. IDENTIFYING THE 'PROPHET' .. 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. They are still proclaiming a warning, and have been joined and assisted in their commissioned work by hundreds of thousands of persons who have listened to their message with belief. 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 Apr 1 1972 197) 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. Now the whole membership shares in the false prophetic utterances of the Watchtower organization. 1986 “Would That All Were Prophets! .. You will be interested to learn that God has on earth a people, all of whom are prophets, or witnesses for God. In fact, they are known throughout the world as Jehovah's Witnesses” (Awake June 8, 1986 p.9) “Jehovah God is the grand identifier of his true messengers. He identifies them by making the messages he delivers through them come true. Jehovah is also the great exposer of false messengers. How does he expose them? He frustrates their signs and predictions. In this way he shows that they are self appointed prognosticators, whose messages really spring from their own false reasoning-yes, their foolish, fleshly thinking!” (Watchtower May 1, 1997 p.8)“It is easy for the established churches of Christendom and other people to criticize Jehovah's Witnesses because their publications have, at times, stated that certain things could take place on certain dates. But is not such line of action in harmony with Christ's injunction to 'keep on the watch'? .. But is it not far preferable to make some mistakes because of overeagerness to see God's purposes accomplished.. ?” (Watchtower Dec. 1 1984 17-8) Jehovah's Witnesses misdirect any criticism of their prophetic misses by insisting that they have never claimed to be a prophet – which one only needs to read their quotes, so this is a false statement. But after all their prophesying 50- 100 years before, now they have made the whole organization share in the guilt by distributing their literature the Watchtower which all the false prophecies have been printed in. The Watchtower's position is that it “is not the instrument of an man or any set of men, nor is it published according to the whims of men. No man's opinion is expressed in the Watchtower”. (Watchtower November 1, 1931 p.327)
They revise their own history to mean Everything Jehovah’s Watchtower prints does not mean what it says. So it is important for Jehovah’s Witnesses to judge their own words with their own words. “The difference between a true and false prophet is that one is speaking the word of the Lord and the other is speaking his own dreams and guesses… their prophecies did not come true Therefore they are false prophets; and the people should no longer trust them as safe guides” (Watchtower pp.155-156, May 15, 1930). Good practical advice for any false prophet including the Watchtower itself. that is if they have the courage to look at it. |
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