The Watchtower Society declared Christ's second coming October 1874.
Charles Taz Russell's Studies in Scripture(volume4) pg. 621 says, "Our Lord, the appointed King is now present, since October 1874 A.D...and the formal inauguration of his kingly office dates from April 1878,A.D"
The Watchtower publication Creation, pg. 289, said that "the second coming of the Lord therefore began in 1874..."
The Watchtower publication Prophecy, pg. 65, says that "the Scriptural proof is that the second presence of the Lord Jesus Christ began in 1874 A.D."
A 1923 issue of The Watchtower magazine, 1 March 1923, pg. 67 said, "No one can properly understand the work of God at this time who does not realize that since 1874, the time of the Lord's return in power, there has been a complete change in God's operations."
The Society does not like to admit these quotes, since the Society now teaches that Christ "returned" invisibly in 1914!
1914-The Invisible Coming of Christ?
Despite the fact that that early Watchtower literature assured people that Christ returned in 1874, the Society later argued that the invisible Second Coming of Christ occurred in 1914.
The Truth Shall Make You Free pg. 300 states that "Christ Jesus came to the Kingdom in A.D 1914, but unseen to men."
Let God Be True pg. 250 tells us that "Jesus foretold many things that would mark the time of his invisible presence and the setting up of God's kingdom. The end of the Gentile Times or 'appointed times of the nations' in 1914 was the time for these to begin appearing."
Man's Salvation Out of World Distress At Hand pg.288 speaks of people who "refuse to discern the invisible, spiritual 'presence' of Jesus Christ in Kingdom power since the close of the Gentile Times in 1914."
Why did early Watchtower literature teach that the Second Coming of Christ occurred in 1874, while later literature from the Society taught it happened in 1914?
Do true prophets of God change their minds like this?
Watchtower literature was also very clear that 1914 would mark the overthrow of human governments and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. Note the following quotes:
Charles Taz Russell's Studies in the Scriptures (volume 2, 1888 pgs.98-99) said that "within the coming twenty-six years all present governments will be overthrown and dissolved...The full establishment of the Kingdom of God will be accomplished by the end of A.D. 1914." (Note that in later editions of this publication - after 1914 - the phrase "by the end of A.D.1914" was changed to "near the end of A.D. 1915."
Studies in the Scriptures (volume 3 - 1891) pg.126 refers to "full establishment of the Kingdom of God in the earth at A.D. 1914."
Studies in the Scriptures (volume 3 - 1913 edition) pg.228 states, "That the deliverance of the saints must take place some time before 1914 is manifest...Just how long before 1914 the last living members of the body of Christ will be glorified, we are not directly informed." (Note that the 1923 edition reads, "That the deliverance of the saints must take place very soon after 1914 is manifest...Just how long after 1914 the last living members of the body of Christ will be glorified, we are not directly informed.")
The Time Is at Hand, pg.101 - 1889 - The 'battle of the great day of God Almighty' (Rev.16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present ruler ship
is already commenced" Why didn't the overthrow of human governments and the full establishment of God's Kingdom occur in 1914 like the Watchtower Society predicted? Since the prophecy did not come to pass, doesn't this mean the Society is a false prophet?
1925-The Return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Prophets?
Watchtower leaders once taught that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the Old Testament prophets would return as "princes" and live in an estate in San Diego, California known as Beth-Sarim("House of Princes"). The year 1925 was definitely when these Old Testament saints were expected to come on the scene. This expectancy is reflected in the following Watchtower publications.
Millions Now Living Will Never Die(Brooklyn:Watchtower Bible and Track Society, 1920), pgs. 88-90 said that "we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men of Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected...1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the faithful prophets of old." The Watchtower, 15 October 1917 said, "There will be no slip-up...Abraham should enter upon the actual possession of his promised inheritance in the year 1925 A.D." The Watchtower, 1 April 1923 pg. 106 said, "1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures." The Watchtower, 15 July 1924 pg. 211 said, "The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly marked in the Scriptures, even more clearly that that of 1914." Why didn't Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and other Old Testament "princes" show up in 1925 like the Watchtower Society said they would? Since this prophecy did not come to pass, doesn't this mean the Society is a false prophet?
1975-The End of Human History?
The Watchtower Society continued its pattern of false predictions by telling its followers that the 6,000 years of human history would come to an end in 1975. Armageddon was to occur that year and Christ was to set up the Millennial Kingdom of earthly paradise. Note the following Watchtower publication:
Awake!, 8 October 1966 , pg.19 said, "In what year, then, would the first 6,000 years of man's existence and the first 6,000 years of God's rest come to an end? The year 1975." (Note, however, that a much earlier issue of The Watchtower magazine [1894] had said that the 6,000 years of man's history had ended in 1873.(The Watchtower, 15 July 1894, p.1675))
Our Kingdom Ministry, March 1968, pg. 4 says, "There are only about ninety months [7 and years] left before 6,000 years of man's existence on earth is completedThe majority of people living today will probably be alive when Armageddon breaks out."
Our Kingdom Ministry, June 1969, pg. 3 , "In view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerousMany young brothers and sisters were offered scholarships or employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual matters first."
Life Everlasting - in Freedom of the Sons of God, Watchtower Society, 1966, pg. 29, "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." Did you know that the Watchtower Society originally taught that 6,000 years of human history would come to an end in 1873, and later changed to 1975? Since the Watchtower Society was wrong both times, doesn't this mean the Society is a false prophet?
Why didn't human history come to an end in 1975 - culminating in the outbreak of Armageddon like the Watchtower Society said it would?
Do you really think the Watchtower is a true prophet of God? The Watchtower, 15 May 1930, pg. 154 says that when one discovers false prophets, "the people should no longer trust them as safe guides."
Do you agree with the Watchtower instruction that when one discovers false prophets, then "the people should no longer trust them as safe guides"?
Since the Watchtower Society was wrong in 1874, 1914, 1925, and 1975, do you think you should still trust the Society as a "safe guide"? Former Vice President Admits to False Prophecy in Court! H.C. Covington, a former vice-president of the Watchtower board and a gifted lawyer, swore at the *Scotland trial where F.W. Franz testified, that the Watchtower was guilty of circulating false prophecies concerning the second coming of Christ. The following is an excerpt taken from his testimony.
Q: You have promulgated - forgive the word - false prophecy?
A: We have. I do not think we have promulgated false prophecy.
There have been statements that were erroneous, that is the way I put it, and mistaken. He further testified that if a good Jehovah's Witness denounced these false prophecies, he would be disfellowshipped and considered worthy of death, even though he or she was right and the Society was wrong!
*This information is from the Pursuer's Proof of the cross-examination held on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1954, pg. 340, par. C. Trial information from "Jehovah of the Watchtower" by Walter Martin and Norman Klann.
