do you or do you not believe this? Why..what happened in 1919.....this is the information that I got from the Wikipedia Encyclopedia on your current beliefs..I posted a question about it..but have not gotten any answers from JW's. I am very curious and want to understand how you came about this date.
2007-10-30 03:42:58 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jehovah's Witnesses themselves believe that their religion was chosen to distribute spiritual "food" to all of Christianity soon after Christ's second "presence" began in 1914 (see Matthew 24:45). On March 26, 1919, the president and the directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society were released from United States federal prison (later exonerated of "sedition"). Immediately, Jehovah's Witnesses began organizing the greatest global evangelizing effort the world has ever seen. Even though their numbers were relatively tiny at the time, by the 1920's these Christians were the most prominent bible preachers on the planet.
Incidentally, Jehovah's Witnesses freely acknowledge the important role that some in nominal Christianity performed in keeping alive knowledge and respect of the bible for those dark centuries. The Scriptures actually describe the centuries between the deaths of the apostles and the restoration of true Christianity.
(Matthew 13:47-49) Again the kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet let down into the sea and gathering up fish of every kind. When it got full they hauled it up onto the beach and, sitting down, they collected the fine ones into vessels, but the unsuitable they threw away. That is how it will be in the conclusion of the system of things: the angels will go out and separate the wicked from among the righteous
The parable of the faithful and discreet slave helps bible students to recognize that it was only after Christ's "return" that one "slave" would receive unique privileges. Jehovah's Witnesses look at the evidence and believe that happened soon after 1914.
(Matthew 24:45-47) Who really is the faithful and discreet slave [class] whom his master [Jesus] appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings.
Regarding 1914, the Scriptures do show that Jesus sat on the throne of the Messianic Kingship that 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. Citations are from both New World Translation (NWT) and Youngs Literal Translation (YLT).
(Matthew 24:3, NWT) disciples approached [Jesus] privately, saying: "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence
(Matthew 24:3, YLT) the disciples came near to [Jesus], saying, 'Tell us, when shall these be? and what is the sign of thy presence...?
(Luke 21:7,24, NWT) Teacher, when will these things actually be, and what will be the sign when these things are destined to occur?
(Luke 21:7,24, YLT) Teacher, when, then, shall these things be? and what is the sign when these things may be about to happen?'
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, NWT) Jerusalem [or 'Davidic kingship'] will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled.
(Luke 21:24, YLT) Jerusalem [or 'Davidic kingship'] shall be trodden down by nations, till the times of nations be 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, NWT) 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.
(Daniel 4:11-17, YLT) Become great hath the tree, yea, strong, and its height doth reach to the heavens, and its vision to the end of the whole land...14 He ["a holy one"] is calling mightily, and thus hath said, Cut down the tree...15 but the stump of its roots leave in the earth...and seven times pass over him; 17 ...that the living may know that the Most High is ruler in the kingdom of men, and to whom He willeth He giveth it, and the lowest of men He doth raise up over it.
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/jt/index.htm?article=article_02.htm
2007-10-30 12:28:54 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Technically, Jehovah's Witnesses did not exist in 1919 - they were known then as 'Bible Students'. The JW name came about in1931. Prior to that, their leaders taught that in 1919 Jesus examined all the Christian denominations to see who was being 'a faithful and discreet slave' taking care of his 'possessions'(Matthew 24). Only the Bible Students were deemed faithful, only they were proclaiming a paradise earth gospel and that Jesus had become invisibly present in 1914, so they were chosen to be the instrument for God to use.
In 1918 they issued a tract describing the clergy as 'a bigotted class of men who have systematically endeavored to prevent the people from understanding the Bible and to throttle all Bible teaching unless it comes through them.' (Ahem - JWs leaders say all Bible teaching must come through them!)Their imprisoned leaders were released from prison in 1919 - taken as a sign from heaven that God was now blessing them. They promoted a pamphlet, 'The Fall of Babylon The Great'. This attacked all of 'Christendom'. Its basic argument was Christendom's organized structure which identified it as the whore of Revelation. Ironically, the Bible Students were then marshalled into a vast organizational structure.
They pay lip service to 'good' Christian aspects / individuals prior to 1919 but thereafter they condemned all religions apart from themselves as of the devil. Today they are much more cautious in their language but they believe hardly anyone who is not a JW could possibly be a Christian - and those who are will end up becoming JWs!
2007-10-31 15:20:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I do not believe they were chosen by Jesus as the only true Christian organization in 1919 or any other year for that fact.
Why? Lack of proof
2007-10-31 12:41:15 · answer #3 · answered by WhatIf 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No.
In 1919 Jehovah's Witnesses were chosen as the ones who were "keeping on the watch" for the return of the Master, Jesus Christ, as he was enthroned in the heavenly Kingdom of God, and of proclaiming this message of the Good News of the Kingdom to the people.
2007-10-30 11:43:46 · answer #4 · answered by Abdijah 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Sure, why not. Everyone says they are the only ones who are right. It really doesn't even matter who thinks they are right.
2007-10-30 10:46:28 · answer #5 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jehovah Witnesses have changed doctrine, beliefs, and prophecies more times than Madonna chages hair color.
The Watchtower is a second stage cult, they have lost their last core personality in Judge Rutherford and have shifted to group think. Another hundred years and they will go mainstream.
2007-10-30 10:50:45 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 6⤋