Jehovah's Witnesses and 1914

Argue for and against Christianity

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
Justin108
Banned
Banned
Posts: 4471
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2012 5:28 am

Jehovah's Witnesses and 1914

Post #1

Post by Justin108 »

JehovahsWitness wrote:
polonius.advice wrote:They now insist that Jesus did return but he is invisible.

If so, how would they know he has returned?
If you are refering to JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES we believe know because of the signs Jesus provided to identify the time (see Mat 24, Lk 21, Mk 14) and we believe it started in 1914 because of our interpretation of bible chronology (see link below).

Learn more
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/book ... -prophecy/


JW
1. What exactly happened in 1914 that points to Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 14?

2. Was 1914 unique in this regard? For example, Luke 21 mentions "wars and uprisings". In what way is 1914 unique in terms of wars and uprisings?

3. According to (my understanding of) Jehovah's Witnesses' claims, Jesus' rule from 1914 is hidden and behind the scenes. His rule is invisible to most of us. Did Jehovah's Witnesses predict that Jesus' rule would be behind the scenes from the start? Or did they initially believe that Jesus' rule will be clearly apparent to everyone, and only after 1914 when no Jesus was to be found did they change their conclusion to "well Jesus must be doing it in heaven where no one can see"?

4. Do you consider the possibility that your interpretation might be wrong and that Jesus did not return in 1914? Or do you believe that it is an indisputable fact that Jesus returned in 1914?

User avatar
JehovahsWitness
Savant
Posts: 21073
Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:03 am
Has thanked: 790 times
Been thanked: 1114 times
Contact:

Re: Jehovah's Witnesses and 1914

Post #2

Post by JehovahsWitness »

Justin108 wrote:
JehovahsWitness wrote: If you are refering to JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES we believe know because of the signs Jesus provided to identify the time (see Mat 24, Lk 21, Mk [strike]14[/strike] 13)

JW
1. What exactly happened in 1914 that points to Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 14?

If you read what I said we (Jehovah's Witnesses) believe that the scriptures provide information as to a "sign" that identify "the time" or the period (often refered to as "the last days") meaning a period of time that leads directly to the great tribulation (or the end of the system of things).

The date 1914 cannot in our opinion, specifically be pinpointed from this "composite sign".

as I said above
"we believe [Christ's rule] started in 1914 because of our interpretation of bible chronology (see link below).

Image

Learn more
https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/bib ... y/#p82-p88


Further reading: 1914 A Significant Year in Bible Prophecy
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/book ... -prophecy/
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/book ... last-days/

GLOSSARY OF TERMS [END TIMES]




RELATED POSTS

How do Jehovahs arrive at 1914 being a pivotal year in bible chronology?
viewtopic.php?p=891124#p891124

607 BCE Why does the date given by Jehovah's Witnesses for the Fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, differ from that of most historians of ?
viewtopic.php?p=825698#p825698

Are the gentile times calculateur using solar or lunar calenders?
viewtopic.php?p=1060989#p1060989

How is the length of the 7 gentile times calculated?
viewtopic.php?p=1045117#p1045117

What happened when the gentile times ended ?
viewtopic.php?p=1045119#p1045119

Why do JWs not believe the Messianic Kingdom started in 33CE ?
viewtopic.php?p=1045115#p1045115

Is it biblically sound to link prophecies written by DANIEL centuries before Jesus earthly ministry with future events ?
viewtopic.php?p=1045975#p1045975


Did Jehovah's Witnesses predict that Jesus' rule INVISIBLY before 1914?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 41#p891141

What did Jehovahs Witnesses expect to happen in 1914? [Onewithim]
viewtopic.php?p=1044836#p1044836

Did Jehovahs Witnesses predict the First World War of 1914?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 67#p928267

Is it possible to pinpoint exactly when this present system will be destroyed?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 23#p891423

how long is a "biblical" generation ?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 02#p898902

If God's kingdom has been in power since 1914 why have there been no significant changes on earth?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 72#p883772

Did Jesus do nothing prior to 1914?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 22#p883622

Are Jehovah's Witnesses the only one's that believe Christ rules invisibly ?
viewtopic.php?p=981835#p981835

Can we see evidence of Kingdom action today?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 65#p835865

What measures has the Kingdom already taken? [Q&A]
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 88#p835788
To learn more please go to other posts related to...

GOD'S KINGDOM, 1914 and ... THE GENTILE TIMES
Last edited by JehovahsWitness on Sat Jun 04, 2022 12:57 pm, edited 25 times in total.
INDEX: More bible based ANSWERS
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681


"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" -
Romans 14:8

User avatar
JehovahsWitness
Savant
Posts: 21073
Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:03 am
Has thanked: 790 times
Been thanked: 1114 times
Contact:

Re: Jehovah's Witnesses and 1914

Post #3

Post by JehovahsWitness »

Justin108 wrote:3. According to (my understanding of) Jehovah's Witnesses' claims, Jesus' rule from 1914 is hidden and behind the scenes. His rule is invisible to most of us.
Not hidden from the faithful, but yes, this rule we believe remains unperceived by the majority of mankind although we (Jehovah's Witnesses) believe we should do our best to advertise the kingdom and educate the public as to what the bible says in this regard.
Last edited by JehovahsWitness on Fri Oct 27, 2017 12:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
INDEX: More bible based ANSWERS
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681


"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" -
Romans 14:8

User avatar
JehovahsWitness
Savant
Posts: 21073
Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:03 am
Has thanked: 790 times
Been thanked: 1114 times
Contact:

Re: Jehovah's Witnesses and 1914

Post #4

Post by JehovahsWitness »

Justin108 wrote:4. Do you consider the possibility that your interpretation might be wrong and that Jesus did not return in 1914?
Anything is possible and of course when I was first looking into the matter, like most people new to the subject, I did not believe it. Now I am absolutely convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus is indeed ruling in heaven.

I think it should be noted that most Christians believe Jesus is presently a king in heaven unseen by most humans, the only point of contention is "since when?" Some say "Since the beginning of time" other says "Since the Roman era (ie for 2000 years)" Jehovah's Witnesses say "Since 1914" but the ruling in heaven invisible to humans part is, I believe standard amongst most Christians. In any case if I ask most Christians "Do you believe Jesus *is* a king?" most Christians will say "Yes!" and if I ask "Do you believe everyone can presently see him ruling?" The will likely answer "No".
Justin108 wrote:Do you believe that it is an indisputable fact that Jesus returned in 1914?
Well any fact can be "desputed" I once thought the fact that the earth was a globe was "undesputable" but the flatearthers have proved me wrong. Do I believe its a fact, yes absolutely!
INDEX: More bible based ANSWERS
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681


"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" -
Romans 14:8

User avatar
JehovahsWitness
Savant
Posts: 21073
Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:03 am
Has thanked: 790 times
Been thanked: 1114 times
Contact:

Re: Jehovah's Witnesses and 1914

Post #5

Post by JehovahsWitness »

Justin108 wrote:Did Jehovah's Witnesses predict that Jesus' rule would be behind the scenes from the start?
That's not an easy question to answer because in the early days the bible students (as Jehovah's Witnesses were known prior to 1931) had an inaccurate understanding of how "Christ's rule" would be manifest.

CHRIST'S RETURN The early bible students, even from the early days believed that what they refered to then as "the second coming" of Christ would be invisible in nature. Note below the extract from a booklet written in 1877 by Charles Taze Russell (who would later become the first President of the Watchtower, Bible and Tract Society)


source: http://pastorrussell.blogspot.fr/[/b]


NOTE : The early bible students did not realize that Christ's (invisible) return coincided with the end of the gentile times (see below).


RELATED POSTS


Where does Jesus say anything about an "invisible kingship"?
viewtopic.php?p=1072190#p1072190

Did Jehovah's Witnesses predict that Jesus' rule INVISIBLY before 1914?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 41#p891141

What did Jehovahs Witnesses expect to happen in 1914? [Onewithim]
viewtopic.php?p=1044836#p1044836

Is it true Jehovah's Witesses accurately predicted WWI 35 years in advance?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 13#p898913

Did Jehovahs Witnesses predict the First World War of 1914?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 67#p928267
To learn more please go to other posts related to...

LAST DAYS and ...FALSE EXPECTATIONS and ....1914
Last edited by JehovahsWitness on Thu Mar 24, 2022 10:54 pm, edited 5 times in total.
INDEX: More bible based ANSWERS
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681


"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" -
Romans 14:8

User avatar
JehovahsWitness
Savant
Posts: 21073
Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:03 am
Has thanked: 790 times
Been thanked: 1114 times
Contact:

Re: Jehovah's Witnesses and 1914

Post #6

Post by JehovahsWitness »

[Replying to post 5 by JehovahsWitness]

THE GENTILE TIMES

Regarding changes of beliefs in connection with kingdom rule, as early as 1877 the early bible students (Jehovah's Witnesses) preached that 1914 woud mark the end of the "gentile times" (an expresssion based on a prophecy found in Daniel 4). They figured it would mark a time of great distress on earth and on this point they were absolutely correct, what they were wrong about however was what exactly that would mean for them.

click on the picture to enlarge
Image

Jehovah's Witness errors:

As highlighted in the post # 5 above , the Jehovah's Witnesses have never expected Christ return to be visible and to this day they hold that Christ's return (now understood to be his "presence" or "parousia") was indeed invisible in nature. They were initially wrong however about when that happened (the early Witnesses they thought it had already happened in the 1800s).

Another reajustment was what exactly would happen in 1914. They knew it would be a significant year but some believed their work of preaching kingdom rule would end at that time and they would be taken to heaven. Others no doubt did think events would culminate in global manifestation of Kingdom power and the take over of human rule. The Watchtower representatives however remained cautious and speculative. When the expectations of many Witnesses proved wrong some disassociated themselves from the bible students while others recognized the need to reajust their view.

The Watch Tower, May 1, 1925 acknowledged:
“Many of the dear saints thought that all the work was done. . . . They rejoiced because of the clear proof that the world had ended, that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, and that the day of their deliverance drew nigh. But they had overlooked something else that must be done. The good news that they had received must be told to others; because Jesus had commanded: ‘This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations: and then shall the end come.’ (Matthew 24:14)�

Further reading
http://pastorrussell.blogspot.fr/search?q=1914[b][/b]
Last edited by JehovahsWitness on Fri Oct 27, 2017 4:25 pm, edited 3 times in total.
INDEX: More bible based ANSWERS
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681


"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" -
Romans 14:8

User avatar
rikuoamero
Under Probation
Posts: 6707
Joined: Tue Jul 28, 2015 2:06 pm
Been thanked: 4 times

Post #7

Post by rikuoamero »

JW...are you sure you want to get into the whole malarkey regarding prophecy again? You've got a rather poor record with that on this site. Now here you are saying that Christ fulfilled prophecy in a specific year but this time...it's invisible!
In other words, unfalsifiable, or to put it as plainly as possible...there's no way to check.
We're supposed to just take the Watch Tower's word that not only are their calculations correct (that's only one part of this whole prophecy business), but that Jesus did do what apparently he's supposed to do, but completely invisible.
Image

Your life is your own. Rise up and live it - Richard Rahl, Sword of Truth Book 6 "Faith of the Fallen"

I condemn all gods who dare demand my fealty, who won't look me in the face so's I know who it is I gotta fealty to. -- JoeyKnotHead

Some force seems to restrict me from buying into the apparent nonsense that others find so easy to buy into. Having no religious or supernatural beliefs of my own, I just call that force reason. -- Tired of the Nonsense

DanieltheDragon
Savant
Posts: 6224
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 1:37 pm
Location: Charlotte
Been thanked: 1 time

Post #8

Post by DanieltheDragon »

[Replying to post 7 by rikuoamero]


Moderator Comment
Leave comments about somones personal record out please.
Please review the Rules.


______________

Moderator comments do not count as a strike against any posters. They only serve as an acknowledgment that a post report has been received, but has not been judged to warrant a moderator warning against a particular poster. Any challenges or replies to moderator postings should be made via Private Message to avoid derailing topics.
Post 1: Wed Apr 01, 2015 10:48 am Otseng has been banned
Otseng has been banned for having multiple accounts and impersonating a moderator.

Elijah John
Savant
Posts: 12235
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 8:23 pm
Location: New England
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 16 times

Re: Jehovah's Witnesses and 1914

Post #9

Post by Elijah John »

JehovahsWitness wrote:
Well any fact can be "desputed" I once thought the fact that the earth was a globe was "undesputable" but the flatearthers have proved me wrong. Do I believe its a fact, yes absolutely!
So you currently believe the earth is flat? Or are you simply saying that a spherical earth is disputed by flat-earthers.

Also, refresh my memory. Who is King, Jesus or Jehovah? Judging by the Lord's prayer, Jesus seems to have thought it was Jehovah, not himself. If that is the case, then no matter when one thinks he took the throne, that is refuted not only by reason, (there is no evidence that Jesus rules) but by Jesus himself in the Lord's prayer. "THY kingdom come".

And if Jesus preached "The kingdom of God is within you" how does the word "is" mean "but not until 1914?
My theological positions:

-God created us in His image, not the other way around.
-The Bible is redeemed by it's good parts.
-Pure monotheism, simple repentance.
-YHVH is LORD
-The real Jesus is not God, the real YHVH is not a monster.
-Eternal life is a gift from the Living God.
-Keep the Commandments, keep your salvation.
-I have accepted YHVH as my Heavenly Father, LORD and Savior.

I am inspired by Jesus to worship none but YHVH, and to serve only Him.

Justin108
Banned
Banned
Posts: 4471
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2012 5:28 am

Re: Jehovah's Witnesses and 1914

Post #10

Post by Justin108 »

Justin108 wrote: 4. Do you consider the possibility that your interpretation might be wrong and that Jesus did not return in 1914? Or do you believe that it is an indisputable fact that Jesus returned in 1914?
One of the moderators requested I rephrase this question to invite more broader participation than only Jehovah's Witnesses.

4. Do you consider the possibility that your interpretation of second-coming scripture might be wrong? Or do you believe that your interpretation of second-coming scripture is an indisputable fact?

Post Reply