Jehovah's Witnesses, why didn't your teachings change in 1918?

Question

According to Watchtower Dogma, Jesus returned in 1918 reviewing all the churches of the world and supposedly chose the Watchtower Society to be the only "true" religion and to be God's sole channel of communication.

Sice you beleive the following to be wrong, how could Jesus have found you to be the "true" religion if:

1.) You were celebrating his birthday (which you claim was pagan)? JWs celebrated Christmas until the late '20s.
2.) Birthdays were celebrated until the late '50s.
3.) Patritoism wasn't stopped until the late '20s.
4.) You believed Jesus died on a cross until the late '30s.
5. Charles Taze Russel was a phrenologist and pyramidoligist (occult practices).
6. After Charles' death in 1916 The Watchtower was into necromancy.

Surely if these are wrong/bad, Jesus would have told you about these when he returned in 1918. Why would he have let you contintue these beliefs and practices 10+ more years?

If you were practicing and believed these wrongs when he came in 1918, and still practiced these wrongs much later, would you really be the "true" religion? Why didn't he warn you of these wrongs?

Besides, where in the Bible does it say Jesus would return to earth in 1918? Or "invisibly" in 1874? Is he supposed to return a fourth time?

SASI -- RIGHT ON! Jesus told us how his return was going to be in other scriptures as well, was the way the JWs say?

HEY LOOK (...I AM!...) someone ELSE is a TC in RELIGION "and" Spirituality! And is NOT a JW!

JUGGERNAUT: You keep telling yourself that. You went around the point I said about why didn't Jesus teach you otherwise?
What did Jesus find about the other "religions" that would make them the false religion? How was yours more true since you had so many wrongs yourself? Even occultic practices at the time? Besides, Jehovah's Witness or The Watchtower isn't a religion, it's a denomination. If he found "Christianity" to be the true religion, then OK.

TAHOE -- The path getting lighter does not apply to this question. Jesus came. Why would he have let you keep practicing and believing things that would obviously be offensive to him?
The Christian walk is a long and learning process, yes; but if Christ came to review the churches, why would he not tell them all what the true ways were? Why just come and "observe" churches doing wrong and let it go on?

Wouldn't he have correct your teachings? Why just yours? Wouldn't he have corrected all other churches as well? Why not?

Answer 1

Well, why don't we be charitable and assume that if JW claims were correct about 1918, then despite the then Bible Students holding to some now disowned beliefs and practices, by comparison they were still miles better than all 'Christendom'. Let's also assume that Jesus was patient with them and quite happy to allow decades to go by before gradually refining them with 'new light' coming in periodic flashes. No problems.... well, not quite.

The fundamental problem with the JW take on what happened in 1918 is them doing precisely what Jesus warned his followers to be on the alert for - someone saying, 'Look! Here is the Christ! We've identified his second coming! It happened invisibly in 1914 and only we saw it with our spiritual eyes of discernment. Everyone else failed to spot this so they must be in error and we must be God's chosen people. Follow us! Listen to no others! We are God's channel for blessing in these last days! Be obedient to our leaders and don't question them because that would be to disobey and question God!'

Jesus warned, 'If anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect - if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is , in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.' (Mat 24:23-72)

Answer 2

As an ex Witness, I believe they say Jesus returned in 1914, and than did some "stuff" in 1918, inspection, yada, yada. No scriptual basis for the 1918 or 1914.

Sasi has the best point. "OH LOOK, Jeus has returned. Oh, you can't see him, only we can" LOL!!

An interesting point is that they say that the generation that was alive when Jesus returned, would not pass away until Armaggedon came. They updated that to say that "the generation" meant those who were of an age of understanding in 1914.

From the Kingdom Ministry, August, 1974, Page 3

"Accordingly, the generation of people that witnessed the events of 1914 C.E. is the one that will also see the “great tribulation.” Already nearly sixty years have passed. Those persons who were at an age of understanding in 1914 are diminishing in numbers. Clearly, then, the time for Jehovah God to act is near at hand."

Lets say that age 10 is an age of understanding. Those who were 10 in 1914 are 103 in 2007. Now, the JW's would be correct if only one person who was "at an age of understanding in 1914", was alive when the "great trib" comes.

We always thought if you were born in 1914, you were of the generation. Sometime in the late 60's early 70's the "new light" was the "at an age of understanding in 1914" thing. So in effect they made the date of the "great trib", Armageddon whatever closer.

I predict that they will have "new light" soon that will alter the date again and put it off since we are getting real close to the 1914 gen checking out.

There is a buzz about the year 607 BC. The whole JW equation rests on this and several other dates and numeralogical assumptions. If 607BC changed to 587BC, they just bought themselves another 20 years. The basic equasion is 2,520 years from 607, or 1914, Jesus kindom would be established in the heavens. So if it was changed to 587BC, 1914 would change to 1934 and THAT generation would see the end. (when you do the math remember there is no "0" year)

Ah, you cute little JW's, you lovable little number benders, running around yelling "the sky is falling!!" Instead of "new light" try some "new lite beer" and lighten up! (puns intended)All these numbers are giving me a headache.

Lets all be good people and try to do at least one nice thing a day. Help someone, give a homeless guy a Big Mac. I hated looking at my co workers and neighbors and thinking "Jehovah's going to kill you all".

To quote the philosopher Rodney King, can't we just all get along?

Somehow, someone coming to my door with a Watchtower that says I'm going to die if I'm not a JW doesn't seem very nice.

Answer 3

For a little more research here are some references;
w90 3/15 10-14
w04 3/1 13-18
Revelation- It's Grand Climax At Hand pp27-32, 161-171
Proclaimers, Chapter 10

I don't know if you're the one who asked a similar question yesterday. Anyway, I had answered that the original group of men that came together were from different churches, they came with their own beliefs from there and did Bible research on different subjects. That takes time.

The main point is that they did change once they learnt certain things were wrong. Which is more than you can say for other religions.

In 1918, they were the only ones whose concentration was on preaching, and not fighting. That is what made them different from anyone else. From that time on, they have been refined. Jehovah's Witnesses are as close to the Bible as a religion can get.

I hope Matthew 7:6 does not apply here.

EDIT: Sasi has missed the point. I hope after all that research you also do not believe as she does that we think Jesus "returned" in 1918 in the same sense that he returned in 1914.

Answer 4

Oh Jerome, I do hope you are not expecting JW's to give you a truthful answer to that question. They cannot answer it truthfully because to do so would be to recognise that the society is and has always been in error. Sasi's answer about Jesus saying 'when people say look he is in the desert do not go out to him, behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not' (paraphrased from Mathew 24) is spot on, this is exactly what the society did when they claimed Christ has returned invisibly and was judging the church. They would do well to remember Jesus' other warning, also from Mathew 24 'If any man say to you, here is Christ, or there, believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall perform great signs and wonders, insomuch, if it is possible, even the elect would be deceived' (verses 23-26). The Watchtower society is one such false prophet and JW's are being greatly misled. All we can do as Christians, is pray that the Holy Spirit works upon their hearts and shows them the REAL truth.

Answer 5

Good question, as this really addresses the core that proves the Watchtower Society is not Gods chosen people.

The Watchtower claims that Jesus made an inspection in 1918 and reinspection in 1919; finding them a cleansed people. Researching the old Watchtower publications shows this is untrue. Nothing changed between those years. They were still promoting what they now consider pagan and occult practices until the 1920 and 30s when Rutherford overhauled Russells teachings.

It was not until 1954 that they stopped worshipping Jesus, which is a significant change, certainly something that can not be dismissed as "light getting brighter".

This is discussed in depth at http://www.jwfacts.com/index_files/5min.htm

Answer 6

THE BIBLE IS JEHOVAH'S WITNESS AND JESUS IS GREATEST Rev.3:14;

As to 2520 being 1914 & 2524 being 1918, Jw's religion most correct of all?

1. At yr 3460, PLUS: Time of the end is [ the last days is 303 years after bible is made known to the world 2300, 2500 ]: at 2520 years Dan.12:1-13 [ Rev.12:3,4,6-11,12; Michael, the WORD and Satan in the short time of the time of the end ];

At 2007 after Christ:
Bible circulationg in the world 396 years, now many translations.
Matt.3:16 [ Jesus anointed by God ]; 6:9-13 [ the Lord's prayer ]; 13:37-39 [ the SOWER, THE WORD, in the time of the end ]; 16:16 [ Jesus is Son of God ];
22:37-40 [ 1st & great commandment ]; 24:3,7,14,15,21,22,36-39 [ The WORD in the time of the end ]; 25:31-34 [ the sheep and the goat in the time of the end ]; 28:18 [ All power is given Jesus in heaven and in earth.

2. At yr 3460, PLUS: Dan.12:1-11 [ 2x 1290 = ] 2580 is yr 6040, bible known 363 yrs.
3. At yr 3460, PLUS: At 2007 after Christ is 2613, is yr 6073, bible known 396 yrs.
Rev.9:1-5 [ 5 x 30 = 150 ]; Pit open for Satan, God's sealed are there, turmoil & confussion as Babylon spirit. Rev.9:12-16 [ 391. Euphrates area ]; Bible known 380, 391, 396 years Euphrates area conflict Rev,16:12-16;
4. At yr 3460, PLUS: Dan.12:1-12 [ 2x 1335 = ] 2670 less 1. 2520 = 150, less 3. 2613 is 93 years of 150 given. Rev.16:12-16; Continues.

Answer 7

Jehovah's Witnesses claim that they, and only they, saw "with eyes of understanding" (because only they were being used by Jehovah as the 'faithful and discrete slave class' who would dispense 'spiritual food' to lesser mortals) that the second coming (oops, sorry, presence) of Christ happened INVISIBLY in 1914.

As to all the other points you raise, whilst it is true those claims can be verified from JW publications, the modern day JW (circa 1990) won't give a toot! They are convinced (as I was circa 1950 - 1975) that JW's, and only JW's, have "the truth". They are false prophets. Full stop.

Answer 8

The inspired word of God, the Bible, Jesus says:

'Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.'
Matthew 25:13

Why have people got so bogged down in dates when they think Jesus will return?

The whole point is that if we did know we might well cease to be watchful and put off being active in our faith.

What we do know is that Jesus will return
and 'every eye shall see him'.

For those who are looking for his coming and the kingdom to be set up it will be wonderful but for those who know what to expect and have not cared?

So we only have the length of our own lifetime to decide to serve God and welcome His son when he appears.

Have faith in the word we have been given and pray that we all might share in that great day through the grace of God.

Answer 9

In 1918, Jesus, “the messenger of the covenant,” had come to Jehovah’s spiritual temple to inspect and cleanse God’s congregation. (Malachi 3:1) Now, anointed Christians needed to go out and meet him in the earthly courtyards of that temple. It was time for them to “shed forth light.”—Isaiah 60:1; Philippians 2:14, 15. This is EVEIDENTLY not earthly as you can see from the begining sentence, it says SPIRITUAL TEMPLE. as far as still celebrating this that were and ARE pagan, as the bible says "the light gets brighter and brighter" as you find out and learn more information found in the bible. you learn whats really wrong and you stop it.

“The Path of the Righteous Ones”

? Contrasting the “path of the righteous ones” with the “way of the wicked ones,” Proverbs 4:18, 19 says: “The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established. The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling.”

The light of the sun gets brighter and brighter from dawn until the “day is firmly established.” So it is with righteous persons. The course they follow is light itself, as it is illuminated by godly wisdom. Because of striving to conform ever closer to such wisdom, their path becomes lighter and lighter. How different it is with wicked persons! Disregarding godly wisdom, they have no light. As if stumbling around in the darkness, they continue to bring trouble upon themselves.

everybody has a learning point.

Answer 10

no offense to anyone here but none of you know what your talking about, and to say things about a group of people without proper knowledge is wrong educate yourself before run your mouth, you make people in this group lose credibility
there are many myths about pagans, satanists,wiccans that are not true and to tell lies about people just isn't factual now I not defending them they have there faults and are imperfect humans and may act like they are better than everyone else
just get there beliefs right, 1914 not 1918 jesus didn't come
satan was cast to earth ) according to them.