Jehovah's Witnesses: Didn't your organization actually prophesy the End of the World?

Question

If the organization did Not actually prophesy the End in 1925 and 1975, then how come so many Witnesses left the faith immediately afterwards?

"They lost roughly three-quarters of the movement between 1925 and 1928, then suffered huge losses after 1975, when the end didn't come as they had implied over and over again,"

said Jim Penton, an Ex-Witness who writes entries on Jehovah's Witnesses for the Encyclopedia Americana.

Answer 1

No.

Jehovah's Witnesses have never pretended that they are infallible or inspired. Jehovah's Witnesses have never pretended that they experience miraculous messages from God or Christ. For more than a century, Jehovah's Witnesses have always presented their suppositions as the result of sincere bible research, rather than as "predictions" or "prophesying".

Interestingly, however, even those Christians who did enjoy direct communication from heaven at times came to wrong conclusions; these wrong conclusions were even communicated "out among the brothers"!

For example, the apostle Peter enjoyed remarkable privileges in the early congregation, but it seems that he was the source of an incorrect teaching about the apostle John that was not formally corrected until several DECADES had passed, and John himself finally wrote his gospel about 98 C.E.

(John 21:21-23) Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, what will this man do [that is, the apostle John]?” Jesus said to him: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you? You continue following me.” In consequence, this saying went out among the brothers, that [the apostle John] would not die. However, Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you?”


Jehovah's Witnesses apply the term "prophet" only in a very limited sense to themselves as a religion, not to individuals. The Scriptures indicate that whenever Jehovah purposes to execute judgment upon a people, he always makes arrangement for a 'prophet's work' as a warning. Their self-description as a "prophet" (in this limited sense) does not indicate special inspired knowledge or foreknowledge, but their willingness to perform Christ's assigned warning work in our day leading up to Armageddon.

What group is working harder than Jehovah's Witnesses to preach God's message globally (as Noah did before the Deluge)?

(Amos 3:7) For the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets.

(2 Peter 2:5) Noah, a preacher of righteousness...

(Matthew 24:14) And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.


Their official history (Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, page 78) makes this comment about 1925:
[quote]
The year 1925 came and went. Some abandoned their hope. But the vast majority of the Bible Students remained faithful.
[end quote]

Concerning both 1925 and 1975, pages 632 and 633 of their official history candidly reports:
[quote]
In the lecture “Millions Now Living Will Never Die,” delivered by J. F. Rutherford on March 21, 1920, at the Hippodrome in New York City, attention was directed to the year 1925. On what basis was it thought to be significant? In a booklet published in that same year, 1920, it was pointed out that if 70 full Jubilees were calculated from what was understood to be the date when Israel entered the Promised Land (instead of starting after the last typical Jubilee before the Babylonian exile and then counting to the beginning of the Jubilee year at the end of the 50th cycle), this could point to the year 1925. On the basis of what was said there, many hoped that perhaps the remaining ones of the little flock would receive their heavenly reward by 1925. This year also was associated with expectations for resurrection of faithful pre-Christian servants of God with a view to their serving on earth as princely representatives of the heavenly Kingdom. If that really occurred, it would mean that mankind had entered an era in which death would cease to be master, and millions then living could have the hope of never dying off the earth. What a happy prospect! Though mistaken, they eagerly shared it with others.
Later on, during the years from 1935 through 1944, a review of the overall framework of Bible chronology revealed that a poor translation of Acts 13:19, 20 in the King James Version, along with certain other factors, had thrown off the chronology by over a century. This later led to the idea—sometimes stated as a possibility, sometimes more firmly—that since the seventh millennium of human history would begin in 1975, events associated with the beginning of Christ’s Millennial Reign might start to take place then.
Did the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses on these matters prove to be correct? They certainly did not err in believing that God would without fail do what he had promised. But some of their time calculations and the expectations that they associated with these gave rise to serious disappointments.
Following 1925, meeting attendance dropped dramatically in some congregations in France and Switzerland. Again, in 1975, there was disappointment when expectations regarding the start of the Millennium failed to materialize. As a result, some withdrew from the organization. Others, because they sought to subvert the faith of associates, were disfellowshipped. No doubt, disappointment over the date was a factor, but in some instances the roots went deeper. Some individuals also argued against the need to participate in the house-to-house ministry. Certain ones did not simply choose to go their own way; they became aggressive in opposing the organization with which they had been associated, and they made use of the public press and television to air their views. Nevertheless, the number who defected was relatively small.
[end quote]


Incidentally, the writer mentioned in this question is not merely a former Jehovah's Witness. He was disfellowshipped for apostasy, and his most recent book goes so far as to absurdly claim that Jehovah's Witnesses were sympathetic to Nazism. Such an embittered writer would hardly seem to be an objective source of information about Jehovah's Witnesses.
http://jw-media.org/edu_videos/vcfi_e.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19980708/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20030301/article_01.htm

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20000622/
http://watchtower.org/e/19990715/article_02.htm

Answer 2

The numbers were not that bad. This is from an ex-JW. Normally they like to trash talk as much as possible.

Some people did fall away both times. Their faith did not take hold in their hearts well enough.

Since I was there in 1975, not 1925, I can say this. What was said was they believed it had been 6,000 years since the creation of man. Whether they were "on the money" or off a few years is of no importance on that point. Their point was Armageddon would be near and so would the establishment of God's Kingdom paradise on earth. That time would be closer than before as it truthfully is. Matthew ch. 24 is being fulfilled now.

But also so is verses 36-39. "Only the Father knows" the exact time of the end of this corrupt system. Not even Jesus knows and he will be the leader of that fight. Just like Noah's day when no one paid attention until it was too late.

God's timetable wasn't fast enough for those who fell away. They expected it right then and when it did not happen like they expected, they left. They were not willing to wait on Jehovah as true Christians must.

He is not s-l-o-w. 2Peter 3:9 tells us Jehovah desires all of us to get repentant and not to die. Think of it! Since 1975, over 2,000,000 people have become Jehovah's Witnesses with triple that interested ones studying. All these would not be alive if Jehovah had followed those people's schedule! Certainly not now have a chance for everlasting life on a paradise earth under God's Kingdom.

Answer 3

Hey there...
The autumn of the year 1975 marks the end of 6,000 years of human experience, 6,000 years from his (Jehovahs) creating. Nobody can pinpoint the exact date that the Great Tribulation will break out and then Armageddon to follow thereafter. But we (Jehovahs Witnesses) knew that the year of 1975 was something significant. We do not claim to know everything, as Jehovah lets his people know things according to HIS will. We just knew that something was significant with this date. This is not to say that some JWs independantly thought this year (1975) might be the end and thus was severing Jehovah out of selfish and this is why they left shortly thereafter 1975. The same with 1914. We knew that this year (1914) had some siginificance also. This is the year Jesus was enthroned as King. JWs as an organization has never published that the end of the world was coming at any date. That would be out of harmony with what the Bible says when it says "nobody knows the day nor the hour"

Learn More!
www.watchtower.org

Answer 4

They were smart enough to never come right out and say it, but they got a lot of people to really believe it. There were witnesses selling their homes and quitting their jobs to do the preaching work full time.

Here is a quote from the jw published book "Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God" from 1966.

"The time is fast drawing near for the reality that was foreshadowed by the Jubilee of liberty to be proclaimed throughout the earth to all mankind.... Most certainly the near future would be the most appropriate time for it. God's own written Word indicates that it is the appointed time for it.... In this twentieth century an independent study has been carried on that does not blindly follow some traditional chronological calculations of Christendom, and the published timetable resulting from this independent study gives the date of man's creation as 4026 B.C.E. According to this trustworthy Bible chronology six thousand years from man's creation will end in 1975, and the seventh period of a thousand years of human history will begin in the fall of 1975 C.E..... So in not many years within our own generation we are reaching what Jehovah God could view as the seventh day of man's existence."

There are many other quotes to consider, but this shows that they strongly hinted at the end.

The jw's constantly have evolving doctrines. They attribute that to "new light", which in my opinion is not right and more of a cop out. It would be better if they just admitted their mistakes.

Answer 5

Anyone who is an "ex-witness" is going to speak against the religion don't you think?

And no, the WB&TS never "prophesied" the end. If you look at the articles from the actual articles of that time period (not "internet reproduce and supposedly copied), they said that "this generation will by no means pass away before the end comes" and since at that time a generation lasted about 70/80 years alot of Witnesses came to the assumption that 1975 would mark the year that the 'end' would come.

The Society thought it might be so, but they NEVER EVER said that it WAS GOING TO BE 1975 for sure.

Answer 6

no one knows the day or the hour only the son of man, imperfect thinking had them living for a "date" - which is daft really when you think about it! But considering the witnesses have more than doubled in number since 1975 says alot!!! Jehovah said he would speed things up in his own time and he certainly has done so. And also, all those who did leave obviously were serving jehovah for the wrong reasons! Because we should be serving him whole heart, soul, and mind. I personally have been a JW for 17 years this coming April. - oh and my mum actually became a JW in 1974!!!! She didn't leave and i am glad she didn't! In fact if you asked her about the whole 1975 thing, she was oblivious to it!!

Answer 7

A classic book by the Watchtower Society is Millions Now Living Will Never Die, released in 1920. In it Rutherford wrote that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would be resurrected to earth in 1925. The book is worth reading purely for its insanity value.

Very few JWs that actually know what is contained in their old writings remain JWs, as the information was such nonsence that there is no way God had anything to do with directing the leaders.

A 32Mb scan of the original book can be downloaded from http://jehovah.net.au/books/Millions_Now_Living_Will_Never_Die.pdf

Answer 8

I was not there, but I'd personally question the motives of someone who'd stop serving God just because their expectation to receive a reward from God did not come when THEY thought it would.

Isn't it like a wife cleaning up the house because she knows that a visitor is coming, but when the visitor doesn't come after all, she gets angry for all the cleaning she had to do? I'd question her general sense of cleanliness.

Anyway, that's my view. Here's the Society's;

Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’ Never did they say, ‘These are the words of Jehovah.’ The Watchtower, the official journal of Jehovah’s Witnesses, has said: “We have not the gift of prophecy.” (January 1883, page 425) “Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible.” (December 15, 1896, page 306) The Watchtower has also said that the fact that some have Jehovah’s spirit “does not mean those now serving as Jehovah’s witnesses are inspired. It does not mean that the writings in this magazine The Watchtower are inspired and infallible and without mistakes.” (May 15, 1947, page 157) “The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic.” (August 15, 1950, page 263) “The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18)”—February 15, 1981, page 19.

Answer 9

When I see question like this one it makes me sad. Please if there is any thing that you need to know about Jehovah's Witnesses please go to your local Kingdom Hall and ask to speak with one of the Elders or you can go the the official website of Jehovah's Witness at WWW.WATCHTOWER.ORG

The fact that you mention that your information comes from a person that is no longer a part of Jehovah's Organization speaks volumes.


Now to answer your question NO, THAT WAS NEVER SAID. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT

MATT. 36,42 "CONCERNING THAT DAY AND HOUR NOBODY KNOWS, NEITHER THE ANGELS OF THE HEAVENS NOR THE SON, BUT ONLY THE FATHER. KEEP ON THE WATCH,THEREFORE, BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW ON WHAT DAY YOUR LORD IS COMING.

Jehovah's Organization has never implied anything to any certain date as to when the end will come. They only talked about changes that would be taking place., but person made the choice to interpret things their own way. When things did not go the way in which they wanted them to that is when they left Jehovah's table to dine with the wicked ones.

Answer 10

When I was in high school (25 years ago) I had a shop teacher who was a Pentecostal preacher part time (he is now a full time Pentecostal preacher) who would preach to any student that would listen that the world would end in 2000. He had props and charts and the whole works. I guess I must have missed it. Maybe I was taking a nap.