by Alfred 102 Replies latest watchtower bible
It is rather ironic that the book, The Finished Mystery, that caused such a great
stir at Bethel upheld the exalted view of Russell even though its publication
was strictly against the wishes of Russell. It was one of the major
factors that led the Bible Students to leave the organization and organize
their own groups. Now, the Watchtower would like to forget the contents
and the history associated with this publication.
Thanks Alfred for the synopsis. I had my father-in-laws personal copy & for years I was telling those in the congregation that this stuff was absolutely wild. Those that didn't nod & walk away would always quote that "light gets brighter & brighter" mantra. All this from someone gifted with the "Holy Spirit". You've got to wonder where it went during Russell's or Rutherford's or the current GB forays into fantasyland.
Thanks to our friend Atlantis there is a well-organized collection of links to many early publications -- including The Finished Mystery, Vol 7 (this PDF may, or may not, be the same edition that Alfred so kindly reviewed).
I just went over the 1917 version I have , and except for the illustrations , all was on point.
But.....But the light gets brighter!
I just went over the 1917 version I have , and except for the illustrations , all was on point.
Thanks for that, I74.
Len
Alfred - please check your PMs
Wow ! Thanks Alfred.
CTS was bat shit crazy and this was the foundation of the entire organization! The Society makes it a point to emphasize that the origins of a religion or custom or holiday matter very much. The same principle should be applied to the origins of this religion.
I took your list and compared it with the pdf copy of the 1918 finished mystery and it all matches up. I don't see how anyone could look at this book now and think that God specifically chose this group as his special people. It is funny because the verse by verse lunacy is the same as in the Revelation climax book. Same craziness just 80 years later.
SIAM
This one is my favourite:
46. In fulfillment of Ezekiel 24:15-19, God took away Russell’s desire for his wife by putting a spiritual plague over her which made her “dead” in the eyes of Russell (p.483, p.484)
Awesome! I need to get my copy. I think I have Harp of God in a box somewhere, which if memory serves was Booze Joe's follow up to this gem.
Nice summary
Sort of says it all
What a group
