Is 1914 for real? And how could it possibly be when the original date was changed?

Question

http://www.reexamine.org/quotes/1914.htm (please check out this site, it has NO COMMENTARY OR BIAS AND IS STRICTLY WATCHTOWER PUBLICATIONS (not "apostate" I'm not a JW), quickly check it out then comment. Also, it is MAN'S own calculations that is used..Nowhere in the bible does it say straight out that this happend in 1914 in plain black and white. And wasn't the Original date "backed up with scriptural evidence" also? Just wondering

Answer 1

Yes, for forty years before 1914, Jehovah's Witnesses recognized that it would be a pivotal year.

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/dg/index.htm?article=article_09.htm
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/jt/index.htm?article=article_02.htm

Answer 2

The website you listed quotes early 20th century publications.Viewing certain matters from a distance in time and with only a little light on the subject we have had an incomplete and even an inaccurate,view of things.In such situations,we may well have been influenced by previously held views.But as the light gets brighter and we draw much closer to events,then our understanding of the outworking of God's purposes becomes clearer.Prophecies open up to us as Jehovah'as holy spirit sheds light upon them,and as they are fulfilled in world events or in the experiences of God's people.These early "Bible Students" as Witnesses were then known,even celebrated birthdays,smoked cigarettes among other things.But once scriptural light was shone and the understanding was there,these things contrary to Jehovah's standards were ceased.
I have been one of Jehovahs Witnesses for only ten years and in that time there is been greater light shown on a couple of Bible verses and as a result a better more accurate understanding surfaced.(Pr.4:18)
God reveals his will to his servants only in his due time and this applied even to Jesus Christ,who confessed regarding the end of our present system of things:"Concerning that day and hour,no body knows,neither the angels,nor the Son,but only the Father"(Matt.24:36)

Answer 3

JW predicted that heaven's doors were irrevocably closed in 1935. It predicted the end of the world for 1914, 1918, 1925, 1975. Former JWs who lived in the 70s had spoken of the dilemma they were in. Many had sold everything, quit their jobs and so on to devote every single minute to trying and recruit new people for the impending end and new earth. When it didn't happen, some realized that they were following a wrong religion, left and had to start over.
In 1931 JW were instructed to refuse vaccinations- by 1952 this regulation was rescinded. In 1967, organ transplants were ruled a forbidden form of cannibalisn, by 1980 this edict was erased. The bible is unchanging and true, so if their statements were said to be biblical, then that shows it's a lie. God does not change His mind whenever He feels like it. His Word is unchanging.

Answer 4

The dates actually had more to do with the distance from the main entrance to the core of the Great Pyramid in Egypt. If you are wondering, yes, JWs dropped the Pyramid stuff a long time ago.

Answer 5

The date failed and so did many other dates that were prophesied failed. William miller also know as the millerites at that time started date setting and all the dates since then until now have failed. Jesus was telling the truth when he said no man knows that day and hour, even the angles do not know.Religions that set dates are false prophets.

Answer 6

Rewritten, or changed, or whatever, false prophecy is false prophecy.
JW's, 7th Day Adventists, and Mormons have all predicted the end of the world in the past. HOW they arrived at those conclusive dates is irrelevant. The scriptures speak clearly that "No Man Knows The Day or the Hour."

Answer 7

huh. ok .... well this might blow your mind pet 1914 is between the years 1913 and 1915 you cant just remove a year. and i bet that year was the same as any other year hard labor little money shitty governments.

Answer 8

Ironic - 1914 could be considered the beginning of Armageddon, as it was the beginning of WWI, but certainly not the end...

Answer 9

1914 is for real!

Answer 10

"Things you ought to know as Christian bible students."

I skimmed through the article until I hit this heading.....then it hit me. You think you've found some BS that back up your beliefs. What an original concept.