Why do JW say God's kingdom started in 1914? (all SERIOUS answers welcome)?

Question

Jehovah's Witnesses

I'm seeing how many ppl actually know the answer.

Answer 1

Technically, God's Kingdom has had no interruption. It was God's MESSIANIC Kingdom.which was instituted in 1914, and God's DAVIDIC kingship which was restored.

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

Answer 2

Jehovah's Witness declare that Christ returned to the temple in 1914 and cleansed it by 1918. They think he returned invisibly. Their kingdom has come but with no visible king, power or glory. Russel made up the date. Here is how it changed over time:
1) Begginning of the End is in 1799 (later changed to 1914) source; The Harp of God 1928 ed.
2) Christs "Invisible presence" begins in 1874 (later changed to 1914) source The Harp of God
3) The Battle of Armageddon ends in 1914 (Later changed to "still future") source Charles Russel The Time is at Hand
4) The Battle of Armageddon will end shortly after 1914 Charles Russel The Finished Mystery 1917 ed.
5) The Battle of Armageddon will come around 1925 source, The Watch Tower July 15, 1924
6) 1914 is the starting date for the last generation before the Battle of Armageddon. Source The Watchtower Nov. 1, 1950
7) People who were present and understood the events of 1914 will live to see the Battle of Armageddon. Source The Watchtower Oct. 1, 1978
8) Anyone born by 1914 will live to see Armageddon. Source The Watchtower May 14, 1984.
9) Anyone who sees the events signaling thte End, regardless of any relationship to 1914, will see the Battle of Armageddon. Source The Watchtower Nov 1, 1995.

The JWs now try to downplay the significance of 1914. But for decades the Awake! masthead contained the statement. "Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away."
It seems they just can't refrain from false prophecy, for in Jan of 1997 the Watchtower declared that although the other prophesies about 1914 were wrong "today that statement can be made with full confidence"(Millions now living will never die). Even when they are proved wrong about this they won't admit it, they will downplay it's significance and make up a new date, as evidenced by their history.

Answer 3

I am a j.w. I do not believe Jesus began to reign on earth in 1914. I believe exactly what Jesus stated in about 3 days after his resurrection all power and authority has been given me. The 1914 date was the year Satan threw a temper tantrum because he knew that his time was put on countdown. like hey devil this is your last 100 years till you get locked up in the hole. Some think that 1914 was the year Christ began to rule. And I say nonsense! When Christ begins to rule you will know it because all the wicked will go bye bye. And things will get better not worse! Right now Satan's all mad cause he knows the heavenly swat teams getting ready to come round him and his friends up for a nice long stay in BBQ Charlie's deep pit BBQ!

Answer 4

I don't know or care when or where it started, but I am a Jehovah witness, (studying)and proud of it. Jehovah is Love and a Just God. He Loves all mankind. He does not lie. And all of you that don't believe, I feel sorry for you and I will pray for each of you. There are some pretty sad and ridiculous answers on here. I think, if you can't answer a question, without making fun of it or don't know the answer then maybe you should not answer it..... I will pray for you, and you know who you are..God Bless everyone of you!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

I read all the answers provided thus far and freethinkers is the best one as of now. Essentially, she is saying that JWs believe the second coming occurred in 1914. But, to really understand JW theology, you would have to understand orthodox Christian theology. Then, you would be able to see how the JW teaching distorts that. The 144,000, for instance, is familiar to many prophecy students. Without understanding what that refers to, you can't really understand where JWs are coming from.

Answer 6

In 1914 Hitler had been struggling to earn a living by painting postcard scenes of Linz, Austria. Hitler went to Munich just after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and was swept up in the general war ferver, exchanging his civilian clothes for the Feldgrau of 1st Kompanie, 2nd Bavarian Reserve, 16th Infantry Regiment (List).

Their first action was in the Battle of Ypres where they were decimated. Hitler was lucky to be alive and had the distinction of being awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class on December 2/ 1914. He later said: "I passionately loved soldering," He also passionately loved the medals too, as they made him feel as if his life had great importance.

As a frontline message courier, Hitler stared death in the eye on a continuous basis. At the Battle of the Somme in October 1916, he was wounded in the thigh by schrapnel. Five months later, on March 1/ 1917, he rejoined his outfit.

For his continued acceptance of dangerous duty, Hitler's superior, Leutnant Hugo Gutmann, recommended the young Gefrieter for the Iron Cross 1st Class, a VERY rare award for an enlisted man. He was awarded it on: August 4/ 1918.

In his book: "Mein Kampf" Hitler wrote: Thus it went on from year to year; the horror took place of the romance of fighting. Enthusiasm gradually cooled, and the glorious exuberance of war was drowned in the agony of death."

Hitler had so much pride in wearing the Iron Cross 1st Class and later admitted: "Hardly anyone guessed that a young hero was hidden in this beardless boy."

Hitlers commander in ww1-- Leutnant Gutmann, was Jewish and would survive ww2 only by fleeing Europe for safety in the United States.
__________________

Answer 7

The Kingdom came when Jesus came and preached saying
repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand

Answer 8

Russell (founder) said that the second coming of Jesus had taken place invisibly in October 1874 and that in 1914 the faithful (the 144,000) would go to heaven and the wicked destroyed. Armageddon (which began in 1874) would end in 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's rulers and the end of the world. C.T. Russell, still on earth, died in 1916 !!!!!

Please don't waste your time trying to understand this cult.

Answer 9

Because thats what Charles T. Russell said.
He has a history with the JW`s.

This claim is not backed by any facts though.

Answer 10

We come to this conclusion by comparing various scriptures and time periods in the Bible....God's Kingdom was established in heaven in 1914 and will soon be established here on earth....here is some Bible based information that answers your question taken from the Reasoning on the Scriptures(Bible aide):


Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses say that God’s Kingdom was established in 1914?

Two lines of evidence point to that year: (1) Bible chronology and (2) the events since 1914 in fulfillment of prophecy. Here we will consider the chronology. For fulfillment of prophecy, see the main heading “Last Days.”

Read Daniel 4:1-17. Verses 20-37 show that this prophecy had a fulfillment upon Nebuchadnezzar. But it also has a larger fulfillment. How do we know that? Verses 3 and 17 show that the dream that God gave to King Nebuchadnezzar deals with the Kingdom of God and God’s promise to give it “to the one whom he wants to . . . even the lowliest one of mankind.” The entire Bible shows that Jehovah’s purpose is for his own Son, Jesus Christ, to rule as His representative over mankind. (Ps. 2:1-8; Dan. 7:13, 14; 1 Cor. 15:23-25; Rev. 11:15; 12:10) The Bible’s description of Jesus shows that he was indeed “the lowliest one of mankind.” (Phil. 2:7, 8; Matt. 11:28-30) The prophetic dream, then, points to the time when Jehovah would give rulership over mankind to his own Son.

What was to happen in the meantime? Rulership over mankind, as represented by the tree and its rootstock, would have “the heart of a beast.” (Dan. 4:16) The history of mankind would be dominated by governments that displayed the characteristics of wild beasts. In modern times, the bear is commonly used to represent Russia; the eagle, the United States; the lion, Britain; the dragon, China. The Bible also uses wild beasts as symbols of world governments and of the entire global system of human rulership under the influence of Satan. (Dan. 7:2-8, 17, 23; 8:20-22; Rev. 13:1, 2) As Jesus showed in his prophecy pointing to the conclusion of the system of things, Jerusalem would be “trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations” were fulfilled. (Luke 21:24) “Jerusalem” represented the Kingdom of God because its kings were said to sit on “the throne of the kingship of Jehovah.” (1 Chron. 28:4, 5; Matt. 5:34, 35) So, the Gentile governments, represented by wild beasts, would ‘trample’ on the right of God’s Kingdom to direct human affairs and would themselves hold sway under Satan’s control.—Compare Luke 4:5, 6.

For how long would such governments be permitted to exercise this control before Jehovah gave the Kingdom to Jesus Christ? 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. By that time the Jewish governor, Gedaliah, who had been left in charge by the Babylonians, had been assassinated, and the remaining Jews had fled to Egypt. (Jeremiah, chapters 40-43) Reliable Bible chronology indicates that this took place 70 years before 537 B.C.E., the year in which the Jews returned from captivity; that is, it took place by early October of 607 B.C.E. (Jer. 29:10; Dan. 9:2; for further details, see the book “Let Your Kingdom Come,” pages 186-189.)

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

A Biblical “time,” or year = 12 X 30 days = 360. (Rev. 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14)

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

Early October, 607 B.C.E., to December 31, 607 B.C.E.= 1/4 year

January 1, 606 B.C.E., to December 31, 1 B.C.E. = 606 years

January 1, 1 C.E., to December 31, 1913 = 1,913 years

January 1, 1914, to early 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.