How did C T Russell come up with the date 1914 for the end of the world.?

Question

The jehovas witnesses say the end times started in 1914, but what explanation is there for this date.We know there system of dating is flawed, but that doesnt explain why he chose 1914.

Answer 1

There's a reason why Sasi is a Top Contributor. She's very accurate, and, unlike a couple of other TC's, she actually checks her facts against historical documents.

It's true that 1914 marked a great upheaval in history. But, CT Russell, by his own admission in his series of books, "Studies in the Scriptures," claimed to have gotten the year 1914 from the design of Egyptian pyramids, which he claimed were actually constructed by God to give clues into the 'end times.' In the book "Thy Kingdom Come", (1890), he says,
"measuring down the "Entrance Passage" from that point, to find the distance to the entrance of the "Pit," representing the great trouble and destruction with which this age is to close, when evil will be overthrown from power, we find it to be 3416 inches, symbolizing 3416 years from the above date, BC 1542. This calculation shows AD. 1874 as marking the beginning of the period of trouble; for 1542 years BC plus 1874 years AD. equals 3416 years. Thus the Pyramid witnesses that the close of 1874 was the chronological beginning of the time of trouble such as was not since there was a nation -- no, nor ever shall be afterward."

So, he didn't even use the newer argument of 2520 years that has been in vogue during most of the 20th Century until now. As it turned out, he actually transposed a couple of numbers from the original diagrams he had studied, which showed 3461 inches instead of 3416.

In the 1910 version of the same book, the numbers had been revised and this same pyramid took on new dimensions:

"the distance to the entrance of the "Pit," representing the great trouble and destruction with which this age is to close, when evil will be overthrown from power, we find it to be 3457 inches, symbolizing 3457 years from the above date, BC 1542. This calculation shows AD. 1915 as marking the beginning of the period of trouble; for 1542 years BC plus 1915 years AD. equals 3457 years. Thus the Pyramid witnesses that the close of 1914 will be the beginning of the time of trouble such as was not since there was a nation"

So, here he has used the same pyramid to reach the 1914 date. He was still off the actual data by 4 inches, but what are four inches between friends?

To be fair, pyramidology was common to evangelicals of the period. However, Russell held onto his belief that it was from God and was the key to 'end times' calculations until his death in 1916. Only in the 1920's under his successor, JF Rutherford, did the organization begin to move away from the pyramid measurements, but stuck with the 1914 date, they asserted that it was an 'invisible event' of Jesus beginning to reign in heaven, so the world rulers - although still in existence - had reached their end.

If you got to CT Russell's grave today, you will see an enormous pyramid as his headstone, in honor of his belief.

Most modern-day JW's are not aware of the occult connection between CT Russell and the 1914 date. The CD-ROM references that JW's use do not reference the quotes above (as they are fond of revisionist history); but there are still original copies available, even in the WT library. If one knows where to look, "the truth is out there, Mulder."

Modern JW's are taught, and believe, that any such references are lies made up and fabricated by opposers. They really believe it (just like many really did believe the rumors that little blue smurf dolls in the 1980's got up and walked out of their Kingdom Halls). I don't fault them for that belief. The bORG is very good at vilifying any detractors, and it is common for JW's to claim that historical documents are either fabricated or are mistranslated (as only their folks can accurately translate).

But the facts are there. CT Russell reached his conclusions through occult connection with pyramidology. That was the beginning of that doctrine, which has been refined with more "acceptable" explanations as are cited by others in this question. They were stuck with 1914, so they had to find other ways to explain it than the pyramid.

However, in the decades since that chronological explanation began to be utilized, many artifacts have surfaced in the historical sites which indicate that even the 607 BCE / 537BCE / 1914 CE / 2520 years of Daniel - that even these are off center by at least 20 years, even if you accept the interpretation of symbolism by the JW's. The problem is, if they admit to the 20 years' difference, they have a bigger problem! If you go 20 years from 1914, you're at 1934. Hmmmm... other than a JW convention that year, what happened?

There you go.

Nothing.

Answer 2

CT Russell and 1914 - In 1876 he predicted that the '7 times' in Daniel's prophecy would END in 1914, when Jerusalem would be delivered forever [the earthly city], and Gentile governments would be destroyed at Armageddon.

In 1892 he said Armageddon had STARTED in October 1874 and it would END in October 1914. Quote "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"... "Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874."

But he believed in picking himself up, dusting himself down and starting all over again. When Armageddon had not even started in 1914, let alone finished, he then said, "The present great war in Europe is the beginning of the Armageddon of the scriptures".

He had said in 1906 "That the deliverance of the saints must take place very soon before 1914 is manifest." But the 1916 edition of that book was changed to read, "That the deliverance of the saints must take place very soon after 1914...." No wonder most JWs today think he got it right when he got it utterly wrong. No wonder more astute JWs can answer on this page accommodatingly ambiguous statements like, "Amazingly, since the 1870s, JWs had recognized 1914 as a SIGNIFICANT year." Significant, yes. But not half as significant as getting predictions for what would happen completely wrong.

Answer 3

It's like an educated guesstimate that actually was right.

If you calculate the time - the 77 weeks, you'll be able to see for yourself.
World War I started in 1914 as well. Things got pretty ugly after 1914.

Wonder why? There is another factor responsible for the huge increase in suffering in this century. Coinciding with the beginning of the last days in 1914, something happened to put mankind in even greater danger. At that time, as a prophecy in the last book of the Bible relates: "War broke out in heaven: Michael [Christ in heavenly power] and his angels battled with the dragon [Satan], and the dragon and its angels [the demons] battled but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven. So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him."—Revelation 12:7-9.

Answer 4

Two lines of evidence point to that year: (1) Bible chronology and (2) the events since 1914 in fulfillment of prophecy.

Daniel 4:16 says “seven times” (“seven years,” AT and Mo, also JB footnote on verse 13). The Bible shows that in calculating prophetic time, a day is counted as a year. (Ezek. 4:6; Num. 14:34) How many “days,” then, are involved? Revelation 11:2, 3 clearly states that 42 months (3 1/2 years) in that prophecy are counted as 1,260 days. Seven years would be twice that, or 2,520 days. Applying the “day for a year” rule would result in 2,520 years.


When did the counting of the “seven times” begin?

After Zedekiah, the last king in the typical Kingdom of God, was removed from the throne in Jerusalem by the Babylonians. (Ezek. 21:25-27) Finally, by early October of 607 B.C.E. the last vestige of Jewish sovereignty was gone.


How, then, is the time calculated down to 1914?

Counting 2,520 years from early October of 607 B.C.E. brings us to early October of 1914 C.E., as shown on the chart.

CALCULATING THE “SEVEN TIMES”

“Seven times” = 7 X 360 = 2,520 years

In the fulfillment of the “seven times” each day equals one year. (Ezek. 4:6; Num. 14:34)

October, 607 B.C.E., to December, 607 B.C.E.= 1/4 year

January, 606 B.C.E., to December, 1 B.C.E.= 606 years

January, 1 C.E., to December, 1913 = 1,913 years

January, 1914, to October, 1914 = 3/4 year

Total: 2,520 years


What happened at that time?

Jehovah entrusted rulership over mankind to his own Son, Jesus Christ, glorified in the heavens.—Dan. 7:13, 14.


Then why is there still so much wickedness on earth?

After Christ was enthroned, Satan and his demons were hurled out of heaven and down to the earth. (Rev. 12:12) Christ as King did not immediately proceed to destroy all who refused to acknowledge Jehovah’s sovereignty and himself as the Messiah. Instead, as he had foretold, a global preaching work was to be done. (Matt. 24:14) As King he would direct a dividing of peoples of all nations, those proving to be righteous being granted the prospect of everlasting life, and the wicked being consigned to everlasting cutting-off in death. (Matt. 25:31-46) In the meantime, the very difficult conditions foretold for “the last days” would prevail. As shown under the heading “Last Days,” those events have been clearly in evidence since 1914. Before the last members of the generation that was alive in 1914 will have passed off the scene, all the things foretold will occur, including the “great tribulation” in which the present wicked world will end.—Matt. 24:21, 22, 34.

Answer 5

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!.

Answer 6

My experience is that Jehovas Witnesses are generally nice people who think and talk rubbish. They certainly got that one wrong!

Answer 7

world war one, the first mechanial war - must have seemed like the gates of hell were opened to many, but its just another mistake by a religious nut, that resulted in a big donation to the church coffers...

Answer 8

It was only after the previous dates he chose didn't work out.

The first was 1874

Answer 9

the claim is that he did a bunch of calculations based on genealogical stuff in the Bible, he was obviously wrong, as were his following and its leaders, right up to the Watch Tower of today.

Answer 10

Nobody can predict the future, as the future is not set. This is just another example of how foolish people can be.