Did your religion warn people before WWI that the signs of Christ's Second Coming would begin being fulfilled

Question

Despite what one may think of JWs, years before WWI, they said (not prophesied) that according to the Bible, the signs of the last days and the Second Presence (or "Coming" in the final "Authorized" revision of the KJV) would begin being fulfilled. Yes, like most in Christendom, members thought that the second presence of Christ meant the start of Armageddon, rather than it being two different events. Consider that the Jews believe the same thing about the first coming of the Messiah, when it happens.

Regardless, most of Christendom now acknowledges that the signs of the last days did begin being fulfilled with the advent of WWI with wars and rumors of wars. Why did the International Bible Students see it before, and everyone else only decades later. The same happened with the League of Nations, that it would fail and be replaced.

This came about not from the views of one man, but from encouraging thousands to be reading the Bible, as a whole, and submitting their views.

Answer 1

In hindsight, most of humankind can see the historic upheaval that began with World War I. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that mankind in general has seen a wide range of specific signs since 1914, and that anyone can perceive these as significant without even opening a bible.

Yet the bible DOES comment upon it! Jesus foretold this specific collection of signs as evidence that his "presence" or so-called 'second coming' had arrived. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that "presence" to be Jesus' presence as the King of God's Kingdom.

(Matthew 24:3) disciples approached [Jesus] privately, saying: "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence

(Luke 21:7,24) Teacher, when will these things actually be, and what will be the sign when these things are destined to occur?


Amazingly, since the 1870's, Jehovah's Witnesses had recognized 1914 as a significant year according to the chronology indicated in bible prophecy. Decades before 1914, Witnesses noted that Jesus' discussion of his second "coming", or second "presence" specifically mentions "the appointed times of the nations", which Jehovah's Witnesses believe to be a centuries-long period of relative godlessness when God's rulership through the Davidic kingship was interrupted (the line of hereditary kings beginning with King David of Israel). Jehovah's Witnesses recognize that the Davidic kingship ended in 607 BCE when Jerusalem fell to Babylon, and would begin again during the fulfillment of the composite "sign" of Matthew 24 and Luke 21.

(Luke 21:24) Jerusalem [or 'Davidic kingship'] will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled.


How long would "the appointed times of the nations" last? Daniel chapter 4 contains a prophecy in which God's rulership, through the Davidic kings is represented by a "tree". That tree is kept down for "seven times", which seems to be seven periods of 360 "days" (See Rev 12:6,14). So Daniel 4:15 seems to be referring to 2520 "days" when God's governmental rulership would not be seen.

(Daniel 4:11-17) The tree grew up and became strong, and its very height finally reached the heavens, and it was visible to the extremity of the whole earth. ...14 He ["a holy one"] was calling out loudly, and this is what he was saying: "CHOP the tree down... 15 However, LEAVE its rootstock itself in the earth... let seven times pass over it. 17 ...that people living may know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind and that to the one whom he wants to, he gives it and he sets up over it even the lowliest one of mankind.


But in history, 2520 days is not a significant amount of time. Jehovah's Witnesses look to Scriptures such as Num 14:34 and Ez 4:6 and re-examine the history using 2520 YEARS instead. From 607 BCE to 1914 CE is 2520 years; so many significant things happened that year, and World War I was only one part!.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_10.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_07.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_09.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_02.htm

Answer 2

Papa Bear, you really need to read some of the older Watchtower publications, because your facts are wrong.

It is written in plain language in the Watchtower publications prior to World War I that the "presence" began in 1874.

Here is just one quote: The Time is at Hand, page 170. "....1874 A.D. was the exact date of the beginning of the Times of Restitution and hence of our Lord's return"".

Even after WWI, the Harp of God says on page 235 "it was in the year 1874, the date of our Lord's Second Presence, that the first labor organization was created."

You ask "why did the Bible Students see it before and everyone else saw it later." Think about what you're saying.....that the Bible Students had divine insight because they thought the 2nd presence began in 1874? Yes, they pointed to 1914 as the date for Armageddon, but don't you realize that they were NOT correct? They were wrong. So how does that show evidence of divine direction?

And even though 1914 was an important year in history, the same could be said for the year 2001. Remember September 11, 2001? Hasn't the world been different since then? If someone had predicted (or said) that Armageddon was coming in 2001, would you think that they were correct because of what happened on September 11th? That was NOT Armageddon. And the Bible Students did not predict World War I. They predicted Armageddon and when WWI started, they THOUGHT they were right, at first. But they weren't.

They were also preaching as late as the 1920s that the Time of the End began in 1799.

And even though most people agree that WWI was an important event, the vast majority of people do NOT believe that it was significant as far as Bible prophecy being fulfilled.

Answer 3

THE RISE AND FALL OF WORLD EMPIRES AND ALL THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD

Rev.17:10-14 [ #1 Empire to #5 Empire Greece has fallen, Jesus was, and John is on Patmos still in Empire of Rome #6, #7 has bible to the world [ end of #7 at 2520 after Babylon # 3 Empire, The world has the word of God long enough to be an excepted translation, Michael and holy angels casting Satan and unholy angels down to footstool earth as to prophecy Acts 2:27-35; Matt.22:42-44 [ from David on enemies ]; Heb.1:1-13; Rom.16:20 Apostles expect Satan to be under their feet.
SATAN HAS A SHORT TIME IN THE 8TH OF THE SEVEN.

THE RISE OF NATIONS

Rev.13:1-5,6-10 is WW1, Rev.13:11-18 [ the 666 man is WW2 time]; Rev.17:1-14;
Dan.7:25[ Time, times and the dividing of time]; Nation out of bottomless pit. Michael: Jude 9; Dan.10:13,21; 12:1-13; Rev.12:6-12,14,17; 1Thes.4:15-17 [ end ];
BIBLE:
Dan.8:12-14 [ 2300 ]; Dan.12:1-7 [ 2500 ]; 12:8-10 [2520]; 12:11 [ 2580]; 12:12 [ 2670];
At #3 = 2300 by 1/2 = 1150 less 606 = [ 544 + 606 + 544 = ] 1694 world and bible.
At #3 = 2500 by 1/2 = 1250 less 606 = [ 644 + 606 + 644 = ] 1894 Michael & bible.
At #3 = 2520 by 1/2 = 1260 less 606 = [ 654 + 606 + 654 = ] 1914 Michael & Satan.
HUMAN WISDOM:
German Nation Hitler.
WW2 & holocaust.
At #3 = 2544 By 1/2 = 1272 less 606 = [ 666 + 606 + 666 = ] 1938 + 7 WW2 & 666.
BIBLE:
At #3 = 2580 by 1/2 = 1290 less 606 = [ 684 + 606 + 684 = ] 1974 VIETNAM NATION.
HUMAN WISDOM:
At #3 = 2612 by 1/2 = 1306 less 606 = [ 700 + 606 + 700 = ] 2006 Rev.9:12-15; IRAQ
BIBLE:
At #3 = 2670 by 1/2 = 1335 less 606 = [ 729 + 606 + 729 = ] 2064 less 1914 is 150.
Satan's short time Dan.12:12 [ 2x 1335 = ] 2670 less 2520 is 150 years
Rev.9:1-5 [5x 30 is 150 ]; Pit for Satan is open for Satan. SEALED OF GOD ARE THERE.
Rev.9:12-16:
[ Angels prpare 391. KJV Bible 1611 + 395 is 2006. EXAMPLE: 9/11/01 Rev.16:12-16;

1Thes.5:1-9,21 [ prove ]; Jesus does not come as a theif in the night to children of the light of times and seasons, after Acts 1:7,8; 2:1-4; We get the bible in end time days.
Dan.7:27 [ The break down of time involved as Dan.12:1-7 2500, 8-10 2520 ];

Mistakes are made when the bible time line is not done correctly. Prove all things, I can
do this from the bible, but find outside the bible that no one has it done correct. Mistakes result. WILL SATAN'S SHORT TIME BE 150 YEARS WITH 92 GONE BY NOW?

Answer 4

The promise of a second coming has been fulfilled.

1. “Verily I say, this is the Day in which mankind can behold the Face, and hear the Voice, of the Promised One. The Call of God hath been raised, and the light of His countenance hath been lifted up upon men. It behoveth every man to blot out the trace of every idle word from the tablet of his heart, and to gaze, with an open and unbiased mind, on the signs of His Revelation, the proofs of His Mission, and the tokens of His glory.

Great indeed is this Day! The allusions made to it in all the sacred Scriptures as the Day of God attest its greatness. The soul of every Prophet of God, of every Divine Messenger, hath thirsted for this wondrous Day. All the diverse kindreds of the earth have, likewise, yearned to attain it. …” Baha'u'llah

2. “The time foreordained unto the peoples and kindreds of the earth is now come. The promises of God, as recorded in the holy Scriptures, have all been fulfilled. Out of Zion hath gone forth the Law of God, and Jerusalem, and the hills and land thereof, are filled with the glory of His Revelation. …

In the Book of Isaiah it is written: ‘Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty.’ No man that meditateth upon this verse can fail to recognize the greatness of this Cause, or doubt the exalted character of this Day – the Day of God Himself. This same verse is followed by these words: ‘And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that Day.’ This is the Day which the Pen of the Most High hath glorified in all the holy Scriptures.” -Baha’u’llah

Answer 5

Yes, "papa bear" the Religion that did this, is the one I belong to, and now they are giving a warning to people that this system of things is about to come to and end.

People are listening to us, did you receive a tract that was given to people all over the world? The results are coming in.

The coupons that are coming in from the tracts are averaging 50% asking for Bible studies.

It's very encouraging to see the sheeplike ones looking for the truth.

You should become active again.

Answer 6

I like your answers to people's questions. You're very knowledgable...why don't you become active again? You said you were inactive for 24 years or so, right? You know so much and want to answer bible questions to lead people to the truth, yet you seem to not want to be in the truth. Why is that? You'd be a good brother...hopefully the truth will reach your heart once again. The end is so near....

Answer 7

Sounds like your eye's are wide open. So many more things are just on the horizon. I'm glad to be a part of this incredible time in man's history, a time when Jehovah's name and purpose will be vindicated.

Answer 8

Yes, Latter-Day Saint.

Answer 9

Do a little research into JW history

1874, 1875,1914, 1915, 1925

Oh, and when you are old and dying and the end still hasn't come, think of me.

Answer 10

in basic terms such as you reported, there is little doubt that Jesus (pbuh) is returning and there is little doubt that the anti-Christ will come to lie to a lot of people till now his return. it somewhat is not precisely who Jesus (pbuh) accepts, yet extremely who people accepts him while he returns. That section is as much as us, we get to choose on whether we settle for him or no longer. And our faith would be sure our decision by using fact people who're susceptible in faith will stick to the anti-Christ instead, would Allah take care of us from him and his corruptions. From what i understand by way of many lectures, maximum folk which will stick to Jesus (pbuh) would be Muslims authentic to their faith, and likewise some Christians who see the reality as quickly as he returns. yet even many Muslims who're susceptible in faith will finally end up following the anti-Christ by using fact he's amazingly deceptive along with his powers. the nice and cozy button is, people who particularly have faith in one God and don't associate Jesus (pbuh) or absolutely everyone else to Him will see the reality inshallah and could be people who settle for Jesus (pbuh). those are the individuals with such reliable faith that makes them attentive to the deceptions of the anti-Christ. To my Muslim brothers and sisters, take the possibility to memorize the 1st and final 10 verses of Surat al-Kahf so as that if we are living interior the era of the Dajjal and Isa (as), we are able to be shielded from the deceptions and be on Jesus' area! Salaam~