by ChristianObserver 4 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Hello :o)
I have heard this mentioned before, but wondered if anyone could enlighten me about this - please?
What exactly do Jehovah's Witnesses believe about the return of Christ - do they believe that it was an invisible return and if so, when - and has this belief changed at all?
Any links to relevant publications and quotes would be much appreciated - or links to where this has been discussed previously :o)
Thanks from one who is confused at present :o)
According to JW Lore, Jesus has returned invisibly. I can't quite remember if it was 1914(satan kicked outa heaven) or1919(GB released from prison).
Hello,
The WT currently teaches that Jesus has been invisibly present since 1914. The old doctrine, from the WT, was not completely done away with at least up until 1943(God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached, 1973, pp. 209,210). They originally taught that Christ's invisible presence began in 1874, and was 40 years prior to the end of the world in 1914. It seems that in the 1920's they began to shift from 1874 date where it was the beginning of Christ's presence, but the 1914 doctrine was being altered and fashioned, where it was kind of the consummation of His presence in which he would ready himself to rule and reign over this system.
"From 1874 to 1914 the prophecy concerning the Lord's coming was being fulfilled and could be understood, and was understood, by those who were faithful to the Lord and who were watching the development of events; but not by others." (Creation, 1927,[700,000 edition--back cover IBSA,p.310] [2,753,500 edition--back cover WT, p. 290])
They still were publishing that Christ's invisible presence began in 1874 and that the time of the end began in 1799(ibid. IBSA, p. 319/ WT, p. 298). Of course, these two dates have been discarded. The date 1914 is now taught to be the beginning of the time of the end, whereas it used to be taught that it was the ENDING of such. 1914 is also now considered to be the beginning of Christ's invisible presence.
The current teaching is that Christ returned in 1914 and after 3 1/2 years, an inspection of professed Christians was carried out. In 1918 Jehovah supposedly came to his spiritual temple with Jesus as his "messenger of the covenant". This was when "Christendom" was examined and rejected. This was also a time of testing for those associated with the WTBTS. God is supposed to have appointed a "faithful and discreet slave" class composed of anointed members of the Watchtower Society. Then in 1919 this organization is said to have "moved zealously forward to proclaim Jehovah's Kingdom by Christ Jesus as the hope for mankind."(Revelation-It's Grand Climax at Hand, 1988, pp.31, 32.
I hope that this helps a little.
Thank you,
David Race (ProveAll)
JW's say they believe that Jesus returned to earth invisibly in 1914, but this is not what the Watchtower teaches! In reading the WT publication "Revelation, It's grand climax at hand!" I noticed that many prophesies in Rev. had corresponding events in the history of Jehovah's Witnesses and mankind in general. In particular, the opening of the seven seals had specific dates that corresponded to each seal.
First Seal: A rider on a white horse goes forth to conquer. Rev. book pg. 90 says, "Hence, this lone horseman must be Jesus Christ and no other. John sees him IN HEAVEN at the historic moment in 1914 when Jehovah declares..." Also on pg. 90 "The birth of the Kingdom itself calls for a major war IN HEAVEN." Pg. 91 "Jesus overcomes Satan and his demons and hurls them down to earth. (Rev. 12:7-12) Jesus' ride of conquest continues through the opening DECADES of the Lord's day..." The Watchtower claims this "ride" started in 1914 and continued till 1945 (see page 91).
Q: Where was Jesus from 1914-1945?
A: In heaven fighting Satan and the demons.
Q: Who came to earth invisibly starting in 1914?
A: Satan and his demons were "hurled down to earth" during this time period.
The fact that Jesus was in heaven, and not invisibly on earth, is confirmed on pg. 96: "Jesus opens the fouth seal..." The date given that corresponds to this is 1918. Jesus was still in heaven as late as 1918.
Again on pgs. 100-102 the Watchtower confirms that Jesus is still in heaven. "...Jesus Christ breaks open the fifth seal..." This is dated as 1935. "Since 1935 faithful young men have borne the brunt of persecution in many lands."
Rev. 9:1 A star falls to earth. Rev. book pg. 143 says "And the star must symbolize Jehovah's appointed King, since anointed Christians acknowledge only one angelic King, Jesus Christ." When did this occur? Page 144 says "That is how it proved to be in 1919." This cannot be correct, since Jesus was still in heaven fighting demons until 1945. In addition, 1919 is five years later than the supposed date of 1914!
