WTS misrepresented what CTR wrote

Doug Mason

It is bad to make a false and misleading prophecy. It is worse to later infer that the prophecies were correct.

In 1973, at the height of the frenzied anticipation for the imminent start of the Millennium in 1975, the WTBTS published “God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years has Approached”. The WTBTS wrote the following about Russell’s expectations in 1876:
“In the course of their Bible studies, these searching students took up a consideration of the ‘times of the Gentiles,’ as spoken of by Jesus at Luke 21:24 (AV), and they associated those Gentile Times with the ‘seven times’ mentioned four times in Daniel, chapter four, verses 16, 23, 25, 32. What did those Bible students determine to be the date for those ‘seven times’ of Gentile domination of the earth to end legally before God? Well, at that time there was a monthly magazine being published in Brooklyn, New York, by one George Storrs, and it was called ‘Bible Examiner.’ In the year 1876 the twenty-four-year-old Russell made a contribution on the subject to this magazine. It was published in Volume XXI, Number 1, which was the issue of October, 1876. On pages 27, 28 of that issue. Russell’s article was published under the title ‘Gentile Times: When Do They End?’ In that article (page 27) Russell said: ‘The seven times will end in A.D. 1914.’ (ch. 11 page 186, “Here Is the Bridegroom!”)

But the WTS does not disclose all that Russell wrote in that direct context:

“ … the seven times will end in A.D. 1914; when Jerusalem shall be delivered forever, and the Jew say of the Deliverer, ‘Lo, this is our God, we have waited for Him and He will save us.’ When Gentile Governments shall have been dashed to pieces; when God shall have poured out of his fury upon the nation, and they acknowledge, him King of Kings and Lord of Lords.“ (“Gentile Times: When do The End?” by Chas. T. Russell, Bible Examiner, October 1876, page 27.)

Russell’s expectations never took place, so the WTS omitted the last portion of his false prophecy. Is this misrepresentation and misquotation the way God’s representatives would behave?

Additionally, in the 1876 article Russell did not associate the ‘seven times’ of Gentile domination with all those verses in Daniel 4 that are cited by the WTS in its book. Russell actually related the ‘seven times’ to Leviticus 26: 27 and 33, and to only verse 23 in Daniel 4.

Doug

yaddayadda

You are right, but this kind of criticism hardly makes a dent with most JW's because they are convinced that it has to be more than just coincidence that Russell pointed to 1914 as a 'marked year' in bible prophecy and WW1 erupted in that very year - an event that numerous statesman and historians describe as a significant 'turning point' in modern history.

<br><br>Russell did, after all, predict something tumultous in store for the gentile 'nations', and WW1 was certainly tumultuous for Europe. That's good enough for most JW's. Thus the great majority of them remain spellbound by Russell's chronology after all these years, and even after learning that Russell stated 1914 was to be the terminus ad quem of the last days, not the beginning of them.

So most JW's feel comfortable in defending the accusation that this was a 'false prophecy' by Charles Russell. There are better examples of 'false prophesying' by the Watchtower Society imho.

greendawn

Good historical points. After abandoning his original presbyterian and then congregational church he began from around 1870 associating with adventist groups led by preachers like Wendell, Storrs, Stetson, Barbour and from them he picked up much of his theology which he integrated in the JWs. I believe the 1914 date was worked out by Barbour and not by Russell. As for the WTS being very selective in its quotations that is well known to us ex dubs, the Lord did not go to Jerusalem and the nations did not accept him out of fear for his power. The dubs believe Russell taught 1914 would be the beginning of the end whereas for him that date was way back in 1799.

Raphael

In a sense 1914 could be seen as the beginning of the "end of the gentile times" when the figurative fig tree in Jesus parable began to blossom. World War I resulted in the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, which controlled all of the Middle East including Palestine.

1917 - The Balfour Declaration favours establishing a national home for the Jewish people.

1922 - The league of Nations establishes the British Mandate over Palestine and the Zionist movement enters a new phase of activity leading to a steady rise in Jewish state-like institutions.

1948 - Palestine , becomes an independant Jewish state

What the future holds for Israel remains to be seen. The bible is clear that it will play a pivotal role in prophecies relating to Gods Kingdom being established on earth. Russell was correct in this regard.

Terry

What the future holds for Israel remains to be seen. The bible is clear that it will play a pivotal role in prophecies relating to Gods Kingdom being established on earth. Russell was correct in this regard.

What the future holds for________remains to be seen. Fill in the blank with darn near anything.

The bible has several different and distinct Israel's in its purview. You have the man, Jacob, whose name changed to Israel. You have the group of semites called Israel. You have the nation of Israel in pre-christian times. You have christians who assume the mantle of spiritual Israel by circumsizing their hearts. (What a metaphor!)

A "pivotal role" for Israel relating to God's kingdom is hardly much of a prediction. If there are any Jews of any ilk around at any point in history some claim can be made for them by prophecy-hounds.

It seem pretty clear that nothing has really happened vis a vis God and His chosen people. He won't get off the dime.

jeanV

excellent point Doug. BTW do you know where scans of that article (Bible examiner) can be found?

You are right, but this kind of criticism hardly makes a dent with most JW's because they are convinced that it has to be more than just coincidence that Russell pointed to 1914 as a 'marked year' in bible prophecy and WW1 erupted in that very year - an event that numerous statesman and historians describe as a significant 'turning point' in modern history.

Agree entirely.

What is a significant turning point in history? Is WW1 more important/significant than the discovery of vaccins? Or of French Revolution or Industrial revolution? How many historians point to 1914 as a turning point in history as JW claim? Apart from those quoted by the WTS (I can't even remember if it is more than one or if it is just the typical WT sentence "historians agree... without citing any source) is anyone able to find sources that make that claim?

JW also say that war was unexpected. COJ in GTR clearly mentions historical sources that say that a war was expect.

Doug Mason

The most significant point in history is the life, death and resurrection of the Jew, Jesus Christ.

He warned us against looking at events such as wars, earthquakes and famines. We must forever walk the life in faith and not be distracted.

Look down the ages throughout history and you will always find people pointing to this event or to that event (Ottoman Empire, formation of the State of Israel, etc., etc.)

Look up, for that is where our redemption comes from. It will never come from men who fight and kill, who set up their temporary empires.

Doug

Honesty

JW's could care less.

They are too busy bowing down in adoration to the Governing Body.

WTS misrepresented what CTR wrote

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