Should 1914 Be Discarded So Hastily?
The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) have long held that 1914 was an important date marking the start of Christ’s Presence. Some JWs or former JWs have come forth denouncing the date as a lie and an operation of error brought forth by Satan the Devil himself. ‘The truth about the Truth’ it has been dubbed. But let as examine the matter from God’s Word the Bible without preconceived ideas. This is not intended to rehash what the WTS has put forth as to the reasons why 1914 was the beginning of Christ’s Presence but rather to examine the subject in conjunction with the view of those who are saying that Christ's Presence and Revelation are all future events and that 1914 has no place in Christ's Presence or the Lord's Day.
The Letters to the Seven Congregations in the Lord’s Day
We should first establish that the events that John sees in Revelation are events that occur in the Lord’s Day. At Rev 1:10 John writes, "By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a strong voice like that of a trumpet…” This clearly establishes that every vision and every happening that John sees are in the Lord’s Day and not before. He then sees in the latter part of chapter one Jesus walking in the midst of the congregations. When? In the Lord’s Day!
Then notice verse 11: “What you see write in a scroll and send it to the seven congregations, in Eph´e·sus and in Smyr´na and in Per´ga·mum and in Thy·a·ti´ra and in Sar´dis and in Philadelphia and in La·o·di·ce´a.” He then proceeds to write Jesus’ words to the congregations both commending them as well as counseling them. The point is that the congregations have been established sometime during the Lord’s Day for they exist and are receiving the letters in the Lord’s day.
Let us take note of some of the phrases written to those congregations during the Lord’s Day:
Rev 2:5, “If you do not, I am coming to you, and I will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”
Rev 2:16, “Therefore repent. If you do not, I am coming to you quickly, and I will war with them with the long sword of my mouth.”
Rev 2:25, “Just the same, hold fast what YOU have until I come.”
Rev 3:3, "Certainly unless you wake up, I shall come as a thief, and you will not know at all at what hour I shall come upon you."
Do you notice what these phrases have in common? According to these verses Jesus Christ has not yet come as a thief in the night to execute judgment with the long sword. That is yet future. There is still time to repent. And remember, according to the earlier scripture John was transferred into the Lord’s Day. We can therefore conclude that the Lord’s Day actually begins before his coming to inspect his congregations and use the long sword of judgment that is in his mouth. Yes, the Lord’s Day comes before his arrival as a thief in the night.
When Does the Rider of the White Horse Begin His Ride and for What Purpose?
Revelation 6:2 tells us, "And I saw, and, look! a white horse; and the one seated upon it had a bow; and a crown was given him, and he went forth conquering and to complete his conquest." Questions that need to be answered are: Who is the rider? Why does he have a bow and is given a crown? When does the ride begin and for what purpose?
Many say it is Satan upon the white horse. However, is there any scriptural support for this? I have found none. But here is what we do find in the Bible about one riding on a white horse. At Revelation 19:11-13, “And I saw the heaven opened, and, look! a white horse. And the one seated upon it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness. 12 His eyes are a fiery flame, and upon his head are many diadems. He has a name written that no one knows but he himself, 13 and he is arrayed with an outer garment sprinkled with blood, and the name he is called is The Word of God.”
It is quite apparent from the description that this is none other than Jesus Christ. He is the rider of this white horse. If we allow the Bible to interpret itself we can only conclude that the rider of the white horse in Revelation 6 must also be Jesus Christ and no one else. Is there any Biblical proof that shows otherwise?
What is his purpose when beginning this ride in Revelation chapter 6? Here is what seems to be a parallel scripture with similar wording: Psalm 110:1
“The utterance of Jehovah to my Lord is: “Sit at my right hand Until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.” 2 The rod of your strength Jehovah will send out of Zion, saying “Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.”
Notice the phrases: 'subduing in the midst of your enemies' and 'conquering and to complete his conquest'. The wording seems to be very similar. Jesus is riding to conquer and to subdue. Apparently Revelation 6 and Psalm 110 are describing the same event, the beginning of his ride on the white horse.
Notice the result of his subduing in the midst of his enemies in verse 3 of Psalm 110: "Your people will offer themselves willingly on the day of your military force. In the splendors of holiness, from the womb of the dawn, You have your company of young men just like dewdrops." Jesus is collecting his people together and many are offering themselves willingly to become part of that great ‘military force’ of praisers of Jehovah. That is the first accomplishments of his subduing in the midst of his enemies and conquering and to complete his conquest. Of course as the ride continues he will execute his judgments upon mankind with the long sword.
Isaiah chapter 41 offers further proof of this. It concerns God collecting his people, Abraham's seed. Notice the similar wording as Psalm 110: Isa. 41:1 “Attend to me in silence, YOU islands; and let national groups themselves regain power. Let them approach. At that time let them speak. Let us come up close together for the judgment itself.”2 “Who has roused up [someone] from the sunrise? [Who] proceeded in righteousness to call him to His feet, to give before him the nations, and to make [him] go subduing even kings?"
Jesus and Jehovah are spoken of as the kings from the sunrise. (Rev 16:12) Again the word subding is used. Jesus subdues the kings of this world as they are powerless to stop the gathering of his people. He also subdues those who will be kings in the Kingdom of God.
Isa 41:8,9 goes on to describe the gathering of God's people. “But you, O Israel, are my servant, you, O Jacob, whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend; 9 you, whom I have taken hold of from the extremities of the earth, and you, whom I have called even from the remote parts of it. And so I said to you, ‘You are my servant; I have chosen you, and I have not rejected you."
From these scriptures we can only conclude that Jesus begins his ride by gathering his chosen ones together. That is how his conquering and subduing in the midst of his enemies begins.
A Crown Was Given Him
The Insight Book published by the WTBTS says: “After the Flood, crowns came to be used as symbols of authority, dignity, power, honor, and reward.” While scriptural proof could be offered supporting this statement, we are sure that most reasonable thinking persons will agree. It would certainly seem in this case that his Father gave Jesus such authority, dignity, power, honor, and reward when commencing his ride on the white horse.
But it is interesting to note the symbolism used in connection with a crown found at Isaiah 62:1-3, “For the sake of Zion I shall not keep still, and for the sake of Jerusalem I shall not stay quiet until her righteousness goes forth just like the brightness, and her salvation like a torch that burns.
2 “And the nations will certainly see your righteousness, [O woman,] and all kings your glory. And you will actually be called by a new name, which the very mouth of Jehovah will designate. 3 And you must become a crown of beauty in the hand of Jehovah, and a kingly turban in the palm of your God.”
God’s people are a crown of beauty in Jehovah’s hand through Jesus. In connection with this it is somewhat interesting the wording found at Revelation 6:2. Rather than Jesus being spoken of as having a crown upon his head, instead ‘a crown is given him’. How well this fits into the prophecy found here at Isaiah 62! Further proof that Jesus begins his ride by gathering his followers.
The apostle Paul verifies this and even describes it as being at the presence of the Lord Jesus. 1 Thess. 2:19: "For what is our hope or joy or crown of exultation—why, is it not in fact YOU?—before our Lord Jesus at his presence?" God’s holy ones, His people, could be said to make up that crown during Christ’s presence.
The One Seated Upon It Had a Bow
Why is Jesus spoken of as having a bow rather than a sword? In Rev 1:16 after God's people have been gathered together he is spoken of as having a sword: "And he had in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth a sharp, long two-edged sword was protruding," That sword would be used for executing his judgments against his people. In Rev 19:15 we find a similar description: "And out of his mouth there protrudes a sharp long sword, that he may strike the nations with it," So we can conclude that the sword is for destroying. But what of the bow?
As many others have pointed out a bow is a long-range weapon. It indicates that his enemies are still far off. He does not here in Revelation 6 have his sword for up close combat to destroy the wicked. So Jesus ride begins not with the destruction of the wicked but instead with the gathering his people.
But his having a bow would also imply that he would have a quiver to hold his arrows. Notice the comparison made at Isaiah 49:1 "Listen to me, O YOU islands, and pay attention, YOU national groups far away. Jehovah himself has called me even from the belly. From the inward parts of my mother he has made mention of my name. 2 And he proceeded to make my mouth like a sharp sword. In the shadow of his hand he has hidden me. And he gradually made me a polished arrow. He concealed me in his own quiver. 3 And he went on to say to me: “You are my servant, O Israel, you the one in whom I shall show my beauty.”
Do you see that Israel, God's people, is likened to a polished arrow? And Jesus is concealing that arrow in his quiver. How well the scripture above applies to Jehovah's Witnesses in modern times also! Jesus has collected his people together and has polished them by ridding them of Babylonish and Pagan teachings.
And notice Psalms 127:3-5 comparing arrows to sons.
"Look! Sons are an inheritance from Jehovah; The fruitage of the belly is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the sons of youth. 5 Happy is the able-bodied man that has filled his quiver with them. They will not be ashamed, For they will speak with enemies in the gate."
Could this perhaps be a prophecy about the 'Sons of God’? You will note a number of applicable points.
1. Sons are like arrows in the hand of a mighty man.
2. Happy is the one that has a quiver that is full of those sons.
3. And they will speak with enemies in the gate.
Jehovah and Jesus are for a fact mighty. The quiver gets full of His sons, His people. And those statements can certainly apply to God's sons as they speak to 'enemies in the gate'. They are a reply for God to his enemy Satan that there are ones who will be faithful to Him. As Prov. 27:11 says "Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me."
And finally we can add Psalm 45 as further proof. Speaking about the anointed King it says: 4 "And in your splendor go on to success; Ride in the cause of truth and humility [and] righteousness, And your right hand will instruct you in fear-inspiring things. 5 Your arrows are sharp—under you peoples keep falling— In the heart of the enemies of the king. 6 God is your throne to time indefinite, even forever; The scepter of your kingship is a scepter of uprightness."
The arrows can go straight to the heart of the enemies causing people to fall under the feet of Jesus the King. While of course applying to the destruction of his enemies so that he can gather his people and complete his conquest, this could also apply to those who have a change of heart and fall in submission to Jesus because of the arrow aimed at the heart.
What can we conclude? Jesus’ ride on the white horse began way back when he began to collect his ‘polished arrow’ or servants together. The history of Jehovah’s people would show that this began sometime around the start of the 20th century when he began to collect his people together in modern times.
The Horses Riding After the White Horse
Is it possible that 1914 marked the beginning of Jesus ride to gather his people? That the Lord’s Day did indeed begin then? The red horse, black horse, pale horse, death and Hades immediately follow the rider of the white horse.
We read in Rev 6:3-8,
“And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say: “Come!” 4 And another came forth, a fiery-colored horse; and to the one seated upon it there was granted to take peace away from the earth so that they should slaughter one another; and a great sword was given him.
5 And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say: “Come!” And I saw, and, look! a black horse; and the one seated upon it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice as if in the midst of the four living creatures say: “A quart of wheat for a de·nar´i·us, and three quarts of barley for a de·nar´i·us; and do not harm the olive oil and the wine.”
7 And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say: “Come!” 8 And I saw, and, look! a pale horse; and the one seated upon it had the name Death. And Ha´des was closely following him. And authority was given them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with a long sword and with food shortage and with deadly plague and by the wild beasts of the earth.”
We have already established that the rider of the white horse began his ride sometime around the start of the 20th century. What events around that era fit the picture of the horses and their riders described in Revelation 6:3-8? Obviously the only events that would come to mind at that time are World War 1 (called The Great War before World War 2), which began in 1914, the Spanish Flu of 1918, and food shortages that followed. And of course the horsemen would continue to ride down to our day.
Is the year 1914 the correct year when the Lord’s Day did begin? If the rider of the white horse began to ride early in the 20th century to gather together his people as scriptures and history show, then we would have to admit that world events at that time make 1914 the most likely candidate.
The Seven Headed Wild Beast ‘Ascending’ Out of the Sea
Revelation 13:1 says, “And I saw a wild beast ascending out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads…” Please note the word ‘ascending’ in present tense. The Greek words used here are literally translated ‘stepping up out of the sea’. Some other translations of the Bible use the words, ‘rise up out of the sea’ or ‘coming up out of the sea’. So John actually saw the beast come up out of the sea. At some point the beast would have partly been in the sea. It is fair to say that he saw the origin of the seven-headed wild beast as it stepped up out of the sea for he did not here say, “I saw a wild beast that had ascended out of the sea”. We must accept the Bible for what it says unless we believe that Jehovah is trying to fool us by having John use one word while really meaning something different. So the question that needs to be answered is: When did the wild beast ascend out of the sea with its seven heads and ten horns?
Without going into scriptural details as to who this wild beast represents I think most who have studied with Jehovah’s Witnesses will agree that the seventh head represents the Anglo-American world power of the United States and Great Britain. It was during World War 1, when the U.S. joined the war in 1917, that the two countries became allies and became the most powerful countries on the earth. The wild beast would have had only 6 heads before WWI but with the birth of the Anglo-American world power during WWI it would have grown its 7th head and thus at that time John saw it ‘ascending’ out of the sea in its present form. And remember he was transferred into the ‘Lord’s Day’. Everything he sees taking place is taking place during the Lord’s Day. He was there to see the wild beast ‘in the Lord’s Day’ when it ascended out of the sea. He was there during WW I. We therefore can only conclude that the Lord’s Day had begun at the latest in 1917.
This fits in well with the Bible symbolism in describing the wild beast as ‘ascending out of the sea.’ Isaiah 17:12 says this about the sea, “Ha for the commotion of many peoples, who are boisterous as with the boisterousness of the seas! And for the noise of national groups, who make a din just like the noise of mighty waters!” That would be the sea of agitated mankind as another scripture shows. Isaiah 57:20, 21 also tells us, “But the wicked are like the sea that is being tossed, when it is unable to calm down, the waters of which keep tossing up seaweed and mire. 21 There is no peace,” my God has said, “for the wicked ones.” Mankind during world war certainly fits the bill of being boisterous, noisy, tossing up seaweed and mire, unable to calm down, and having no peace.
When examining both history and the Bible it appears that John saw that seven headed wild beast ascending out of the sea of world war in the Lord’s Day around the year 1917.
Two-Horned Beast ‘Ascending’ Out of the Earth
Rev 13:11 "And I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, but it began speaking as a dragon." Again we will assume that most who have studied with JWs will agree that this beast represents the Anglo-American seventh world power of Bible prophecy. And you will note that John once again uses the word ‘ascending’. This time out of the earth which represents the more stable part of mankind. And of course the same reasoning used previously is applicable here to this beast as well. It ascended around 1917 as well and John was there in the Lord’s Day to see it take place.
But here are some things to consider concerning what the two-horned beast does while on earth and when he would have done these things.
Rev 13:13 " And it performs great signs, so that it should even make fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind. " The false prophet Anglo-American beast performs great signs. This would take some time to perform these great signs. If it collapses at the start of the Great Tribulation and thereafter takes a back seat to the United Nations, as some will argue, how is it that it performs the great signs from that point onward? Hasn’t it been performing these signs all through the 20th century and doesn’t it continue even now performing those signs in our day making ‘fire come down out of heaven to the earth’ as it were by its advanced military weaponry? Doesn’t this show that we are now in the Lord’s Day since this beast is now performing these great signs?
Rev 13:14, “And it misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs that were granted it to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived.”
It tells everyone to make an image of the beast. Again we will make the assumption that most will not argue that this image of the Beast is the United Nations. Notice the image is made after the sword stroke, which would have apparently occurred during World War 1. History shows that the Anglo-American world power told the earth to make this image in 1919 as the League of Nations after WWI. But it has no life. Later in Rev 13:15 it says, "And there was granted it to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed all those who would not in any way worship the image of the wild beast." This could be a future event when it actually gets power to do something. As of now, the UN could be considered as lifeless and yet it has been made.
How well, once again, that the time period around 1914 fits in with the visions that John saw taking place in the Lord’s Day!
A Beginning of Pangs of Distress
Lets examine the words of Matthew chapter 24 to see if they agree with what has here been discussed thus far. In verse 3 Jesus is asked, “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?”
Jesus reply begins like this: "And in answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads YOU; 5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 YOU are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that YOU are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet."
Is he talking about the sign of his presence here? It would seem so. That was the question he is answering. In verse 7 and 8 its seems like he is summing up what he has just said, “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. 8 All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress." The parallel statements above are: 'the end is not yet' and 'a beginning of pangs of distress'. Sounds like some period of time is involved before the end actually comes.
Are the wars and reports of wars the same as nation rising against nation? Apparently that would be the case. Notice Jesus did not say but 'my presence is not yet'. He said, 'but the end (conclusion of the system) is not yet'.
Another thing to consider is that when Jesus made the statement ‘nation will rise against nation’ etc, notice that he also said, in Matt 24:8, "All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress." I emphasize the 'a' in the verse because it seems to be different from using 'the'. He did not say 'All these thing are THE beginning of the Great Tribulation' as some perceive it. He did not say, 'All these things are THE beginning of THE pangs of distress.' which one would think he would have said if this was 'THE' sign that THE GT/Armageddon and conclusion of the system was immediately upon us. By saying, 'All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress' a person is left with the impression that the end is not instantly upon us but rather that there will be a period of time to follow. That is in fact what Jesus said when he said, ‘but the end is not yet.’ In other words there is a clear distinction between 'a beginning of pangs of distress' and the beginning of the Great tribulation or the beginning of the end of the system.
The riding of the horsemen in Revelation 6 and pangs of distress marking Christ’s presence appear to correspond with one another. It does not appear that ‘a beginning of pangs of distress’ and the riding of the horsemen are the beginning of the Great tribulation. Christ’s presence corresponds to the Lord’s Day but not to Armageddon, the Great Tribulation, or the conclusion of the system of things, although these events do occur at the end of the Lord’s Day or Christ’s presence.
Nation Will Rise Against Nation
The scenario of those who say we are not now living in the Lord’s day or presence of Christ goes something like this: There will a WWIII, ¼ of the population will be wiped out by the war, food shortages, pestilence, and earthquakes as the system of things and the Anglo-American world power collapse. But the world will come out of the abyss by means of the UN. Then Armageddon will shortly follow. It would seem there would be much chaos and no semblance of normality during this period of time. How could there be when over one and a half billion people will die? And how could it possibly return to normalcy in such a short time period of 3 ½ years as is the time period given by many?
But Matthew 24:36-39 tells us of a completely different situation concerning Christ’s presence. “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 38 For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; 39 and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.”
It does not describe chaos and anarchy. But instead normal everyday living just like what we are experiencing now. Further proof that we are currently living in the Lord’s Day or Christ’s presence.
2 Peter 3:3,4 says, “For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.”
Now ask yourself this: On the heels of World War 3, food shortages, earthquakes, and pestilences where ¼ of the inhabitants of the world are killed would any reasonable person be saying, ‘Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning’? Hardly! This at the very least confirms that the ‘last days’ begin some time before the end of the system of things. But when considered along with Matthew 24:36-39 it also can give the impression that during Christ’s very presence many will doubt that we are indeed living during his presence.
Yes, Christ’s Presence and the Lord’s Day began at the same time and that beginning appears to be some time around the year 1914. That year would be the most logical choice.
Who Should We Believe?
There are many other events that happen during the Lord’s Days such as the trampling, the wilderness period, the casting out of Satan from heaven, and so on that we will not discuss at this time. But evidence has here been presented proving that the Lord’s Day, that John came to be in by inspiration, began at least somewhere around the year of 1914. Can that really be denied?
When I first read some of the online essays about the 1914 doctrine of Jehovah’s Witnesses I honestly was ready to discard 1914 as being inaccurate. I began to study and search with the viewpoint that 1914 was totally wrong. But as I began to delve into it I found that there were things that didn't quite add up if the Lord's Day and Revelation are all in the future and none of the visions have taken place yet. Some of those things have been presented here.
It is important to study without a preconceived idea to try to make the prophecies fit like we want them to fit. And so if in our studies we find that the WT may be right, at least to some extent, about 1914 should we be so closed minded so as to shrug it off because we are so in love with the idea that we have been especially enlightened concerning the 'truth about the Truth'. Since Jehovah has shown us many truths of the Bible on so many subjects by means of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watchtower publications why should we be so quick to discard the 1914 doctrine without a thorough investigation? When there is doubt it seems to me it would be best to go with those who have shown us all the other wonderful truths of the Bible that we have learned from Jehovah and His Word.
See other blogs: Robert King and Timothy Kline--Humble Truth Tellers or Masters of Deception? http://thetruthaboutthetruthaboutthetruth.blogspot.com/2005/09/robert-king-and-timothy-kline-humble.html
E-Watchman--Enlightened by Holy Spirit or Another Source? http://thetruthaboutthetruthaboutthetruth.blogspot.com/2005/09/e-watchman-enlightened-by-holy-spirit.html
The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) have long held that 1914 was an important date marking the start of Christ’s Presence. Some JWs or former JWs have come forth denouncing the date as a lie and an operation of error brought forth by Satan the Devil himself. ‘The truth about the Truth’ it has been dubbed. But let as examine the matter from God’s Word the Bible without preconceived ideas. This is not intended to rehash what the WTS has put forth as to the reasons why 1914 was the beginning of Christ’s Presence but rather to examine the subject in conjunction with the view of those who are saying that Christ's Presence and Revelation are all future events and that 1914 has no place in Christ's Presence or the Lord's Day.
The Letters to the Seven Congregations in the Lord’s Day
We should first establish that the events that John sees in Revelation are events that occur in the Lord’s Day. At Rev 1:10 John writes, "By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a strong voice like that of a trumpet…” This clearly establishes that every vision and every happening that John sees are in the Lord’s Day and not before. He then sees in the latter part of chapter one Jesus walking in the midst of the congregations. When? In the Lord’s Day!
Then notice verse 11: “What you see write in a scroll and send it to the seven congregations, in Eph´e·sus and in Smyr´na and in Per´ga·mum and in Thy·a·ti´ra and in Sar´dis and in Philadelphia and in La·o·di·ce´a.” He then proceeds to write Jesus’ words to the congregations both commending them as well as counseling them. The point is that the congregations have been established sometime during the Lord’s Day for they exist and are receiving the letters in the Lord’s day.
Let us take note of some of the phrases written to those congregations during the Lord’s Day:
Rev 2:5, “If you do not, I am coming to you, and I will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”
Rev 2:16, “Therefore repent. If you do not, I am coming to you quickly, and I will war with them with the long sword of my mouth.”
Rev 2:25, “Just the same, hold fast what YOU have until I come.”
Rev 3:3, "Certainly unless you wake up, I shall come as a thief, and you will not know at all at what hour I shall come upon you."
Do you notice what these phrases have in common? According to these verses Jesus Christ has not yet come as a thief in the night to execute judgment with the long sword. That is yet future. There is still time to repent. And remember, according to the earlier scripture John was transferred into the Lord’s Day. We can therefore conclude that the Lord’s Day actually begins before his coming to inspect his congregations and use the long sword of judgment that is in his mouth. Yes, the Lord’s Day comes before his arrival as a thief in the night.
When Does the Rider of the White Horse Begin His Ride and for What Purpose?
Revelation 6:2 tells us, "And I saw, and, look! a white horse; and the one seated upon it had a bow; and a crown was given him, and he went forth conquering and to complete his conquest." Questions that need to be answered are: Who is the rider? Why does he have a bow and is given a crown? When does the ride begin and for what purpose?
Many say it is Satan upon the white horse. However, is there any scriptural support for this? I have found none. But here is what we do find in the Bible about one riding on a white horse. At Revelation 19:11-13, “And I saw the heaven opened, and, look! a white horse. And the one seated upon it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness. 12 His eyes are a fiery flame, and upon his head are many diadems. He has a name written that no one knows but he himself, 13 and he is arrayed with an outer garment sprinkled with blood, and the name he is called is The Word of God.”
It is quite apparent from the description that this is none other than Jesus Christ. He is the rider of this white horse. If we allow the Bible to interpret itself we can only conclude that the rider of the white horse in Revelation 6 must also be Jesus Christ and no one else. Is there any Biblical proof that shows otherwise?
What is his purpose when beginning this ride in Revelation chapter 6? Here is what seems to be a parallel scripture with similar wording: Psalm 110:1
“The utterance of Jehovah to my Lord is: “Sit at my right hand Until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.” 2 The rod of your strength Jehovah will send out of Zion, saying “Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.”
Notice the phrases: 'subduing in the midst of your enemies' and 'conquering and to complete his conquest'. The wording seems to be very similar. Jesus is riding to conquer and to subdue. Apparently Revelation 6 and Psalm 110 are describing the same event, the beginning of his ride on the white horse.
Notice the result of his subduing in the midst of his enemies in verse 3 of Psalm 110: "Your people will offer themselves willingly on the day of your military force. In the splendors of holiness, from the womb of the dawn, You have your company of young men just like dewdrops." Jesus is collecting his people together and many are offering themselves willingly to become part of that great ‘military force’ of praisers of Jehovah. That is the first accomplishments of his subduing in the midst of his enemies and conquering and to complete his conquest. Of course as the ride continues he will execute his judgments upon mankind with the long sword.
Isaiah chapter 41 offers further proof of this. It concerns God collecting his people, Abraham's seed. Notice the similar wording as Psalm 110: Isa. 41:1 “Attend to me in silence, YOU islands; and let national groups themselves regain power. Let them approach. At that time let them speak. Let us come up close together for the judgment itself.”2 “Who has roused up [someone] from the sunrise? [Who] proceeded in righteousness to call him to His feet, to give before him the nations, and to make [him] go subduing even kings?"
Jesus and Jehovah are spoken of as the kings from the sunrise. (Rev 16:12) Again the word subding is used. Jesus subdues the kings of this world as they are powerless to stop the gathering of his people. He also subdues those who will be kings in the Kingdom of God.
Isa 41:8,9 goes on to describe the gathering of God's people. “But you, O Israel, are my servant, you, O Jacob, whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend; 9 you, whom I have taken hold of from the extremities of the earth, and you, whom I have called even from the remote parts of it. And so I said to you, ‘You are my servant; I have chosen you, and I have not rejected you."
From these scriptures we can only conclude that Jesus begins his ride by gathering his chosen ones together. That is how his conquering and subduing in the midst of his enemies begins.
A Crown Was Given Him
The Insight Book published by the WTBTS says: “After the Flood, crowns came to be used as symbols of authority, dignity, power, honor, and reward.” While scriptural proof could be offered supporting this statement, we are sure that most reasonable thinking persons will agree. It would certainly seem in this case that his Father gave Jesus such authority, dignity, power, honor, and reward when commencing his ride on the white horse.
But it is interesting to note the symbolism used in connection with a crown found at Isaiah 62:1-3, “For the sake of Zion I shall not keep still, and for the sake of Jerusalem I shall not stay quiet until her righteousness goes forth just like the brightness, and her salvation like a torch that burns.
2 “And the nations will certainly see your righteousness, [O woman,] and all kings your glory. And you will actually be called by a new name, which the very mouth of Jehovah will designate. 3 And you must become a crown of beauty in the hand of Jehovah, and a kingly turban in the palm of your God.”
God’s people are a crown of beauty in Jehovah’s hand through Jesus. In connection with this it is somewhat interesting the wording found at Revelation 6:2. Rather than Jesus being spoken of as having a crown upon his head, instead ‘a crown is given him’. How well this fits into the prophecy found here at Isaiah 62! Further proof that Jesus begins his ride by gathering his followers.
The apostle Paul verifies this and even describes it as being at the presence of the Lord Jesus. 1 Thess. 2:19: "For what is our hope or joy or crown of exultation—why, is it not in fact YOU?—before our Lord Jesus at his presence?" God’s holy ones, His people, could be said to make up that crown during Christ’s presence.
The One Seated Upon It Had a Bow
Why is Jesus spoken of as having a bow rather than a sword? In Rev 1:16 after God's people have been gathered together he is spoken of as having a sword: "And he had in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth a sharp, long two-edged sword was protruding," That sword would be used for executing his judgments against his people. In Rev 19:15 we find a similar description: "And out of his mouth there protrudes a sharp long sword, that he may strike the nations with it," So we can conclude that the sword is for destroying. But what of the bow?
As many others have pointed out a bow is a long-range weapon. It indicates that his enemies are still far off. He does not here in Revelation 6 have his sword for up close combat to destroy the wicked. So Jesus ride begins not with the destruction of the wicked but instead with the gathering his people.
But his having a bow would also imply that he would have a quiver to hold his arrows. Notice the comparison made at Isaiah 49:1 "Listen to me, O YOU islands, and pay attention, YOU national groups far away. Jehovah himself has called me even from the belly. From the inward parts of my mother he has made mention of my name. 2 And he proceeded to make my mouth like a sharp sword. In the shadow of his hand he has hidden me. And he gradually made me a polished arrow. He concealed me in his own quiver. 3 And he went on to say to me: “You are my servant, O Israel, you the one in whom I shall show my beauty.”
Do you see that Israel, God's people, is likened to a polished arrow? And Jesus is concealing that arrow in his quiver. How well the scripture above applies to Jehovah's Witnesses in modern times also! Jesus has collected his people together and has polished them by ridding them of Babylonish and Pagan teachings.
And notice Psalms 127:3-5 comparing arrows to sons.
"Look! Sons are an inheritance from Jehovah; The fruitage of the belly is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the sons of youth. 5 Happy is the able-bodied man that has filled his quiver with them. They will not be ashamed, For they will speak with enemies in the gate."
Could this perhaps be a prophecy about the 'Sons of God’? You will note a number of applicable points.
1. Sons are like arrows in the hand of a mighty man.
2. Happy is the one that has a quiver that is full of those sons.
3. And they will speak with enemies in the gate.
Jehovah and Jesus are for a fact mighty. The quiver gets full of His sons, His people. And those statements can certainly apply to God's sons as they speak to 'enemies in the gate'. They are a reply for God to his enemy Satan that there are ones who will be faithful to Him. As Prov. 27:11 says "Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me."
And finally we can add Psalm 45 as further proof. Speaking about the anointed King it says: 4 "And in your splendor go on to success; Ride in the cause of truth and humility [and] righteousness, And your right hand will instruct you in fear-inspiring things. 5 Your arrows are sharp—under you peoples keep falling— In the heart of the enemies of the king. 6 God is your throne to time indefinite, even forever; The scepter of your kingship is a scepter of uprightness."
The arrows can go straight to the heart of the enemies causing people to fall under the feet of Jesus the King. While of course applying to the destruction of his enemies so that he can gather his people and complete his conquest, this could also apply to those who have a change of heart and fall in submission to Jesus because of the arrow aimed at the heart.
What can we conclude? Jesus’ ride on the white horse began way back when he began to collect his ‘polished arrow’ or servants together. The history of Jehovah’s people would show that this began sometime around the start of the 20th century when he began to collect his people together in modern times.
The Horses Riding After the White Horse
Is it possible that 1914 marked the beginning of Jesus ride to gather his people? That the Lord’s Day did indeed begin then? The red horse, black horse, pale horse, death and Hades immediately follow the rider of the white horse.
We read in Rev 6:3-8,
“And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say: “Come!” 4 And another came forth, a fiery-colored horse; and to the one seated upon it there was granted to take peace away from the earth so that they should slaughter one another; and a great sword was given him.
5 And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say: “Come!” And I saw, and, look! a black horse; and the one seated upon it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice as if in the midst of the four living creatures say: “A quart of wheat for a de·nar´i·us, and three quarts of barley for a de·nar´i·us; and do not harm the olive oil and the wine.”
7 And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say: “Come!” 8 And I saw, and, look! a pale horse; and the one seated upon it had the name Death. And Ha´des was closely following him. And authority was given them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with a long sword and with food shortage and with deadly plague and by the wild beasts of the earth.”
We have already established that the rider of the white horse began his ride sometime around the start of the 20th century. What events around that era fit the picture of the horses and their riders described in Revelation 6:3-8? Obviously the only events that would come to mind at that time are World War 1 (called The Great War before World War 2), which began in 1914, the Spanish Flu of 1918, and food shortages that followed. And of course the horsemen would continue to ride down to our day.
Is the year 1914 the correct year when the Lord’s Day did begin? If the rider of the white horse began to ride early in the 20th century to gather together his people as scriptures and history show, then we would have to admit that world events at that time make 1914 the most likely candidate.
The Seven Headed Wild Beast ‘Ascending’ Out of the Sea
Revelation 13:1 says, “And I saw a wild beast ascending out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads…” Please note the word ‘ascending’ in present tense. The Greek words used here are literally translated ‘stepping up out of the sea’. Some other translations of the Bible use the words, ‘rise up out of the sea’ or ‘coming up out of the sea’. So John actually saw the beast come up out of the sea. At some point the beast would have partly been in the sea. It is fair to say that he saw the origin of the seven-headed wild beast as it stepped up out of the sea for he did not here say, “I saw a wild beast that had ascended out of the sea”. We must accept the Bible for what it says unless we believe that Jehovah is trying to fool us by having John use one word while really meaning something different. So the question that needs to be answered is: When did the wild beast ascend out of the sea with its seven heads and ten horns?
Without going into scriptural details as to who this wild beast represents I think most who have studied with Jehovah’s Witnesses will agree that the seventh head represents the Anglo-American world power of the United States and Great Britain. It was during World War 1, when the U.S. joined the war in 1917, that the two countries became allies and became the most powerful countries on the earth. The wild beast would have had only 6 heads before WWI but with the birth of the Anglo-American world power during WWI it would have grown its 7th head and thus at that time John saw it ‘ascending’ out of the sea in its present form. And remember he was transferred into the ‘Lord’s Day’. Everything he sees taking place is taking place during the Lord’s Day. He was there to see the wild beast ‘in the Lord’s Day’ when it ascended out of the sea. He was there during WW I. We therefore can only conclude that the Lord’s Day had begun at the latest in 1917.
This fits in well with the Bible symbolism in describing the wild beast as ‘ascending out of the sea.’ Isaiah 17:12 says this about the sea, “Ha for the commotion of many peoples, who are boisterous as with the boisterousness of the seas! And for the noise of national groups, who make a din just like the noise of mighty waters!” That would be the sea of agitated mankind as another scripture shows. Isaiah 57:20, 21 also tells us, “But the wicked are like the sea that is being tossed, when it is unable to calm down, the waters of which keep tossing up seaweed and mire. 21 There is no peace,” my God has said, “for the wicked ones.” Mankind during world war certainly fits the bill of being boisterous, noisy, tossing up seaweed and mire, unable to calm down, and having no peace.
When examining both history and the Bible it appears that John saw that seven headed wild beast ascending out of the sea of world war in the Lord’s Day around the year 1917.
Two-Horned Beast ‘Ascending’ Out of the Earth
Rev 13:11 "And I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, but it began speaking as a dragon." Again we will assume that most who have studied with JWs will agree that this beast represents the Anglo-American seventh world power of Bible prophecy. And you will note that John once again uses the word ‘ascending’. This time out of the earth which represents the more stable part of mankind. And of course the same reasoning used previously is applicable here to this beast as well. It ascended around 1917 as well and John was there in the Lord’s Day to see it take place.
But here are some things to consider concerning what the two-horned beast does while on earth and when he would have done these things.
Rev 13:13 " And it performs great signs, so that it should even make fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind. " The false prophet Anglo-American beast performs great signs. This would take some time to perform these great signs. If it collapses at the start of the Great Tribulation and thereafter takes a back seat to the United Nations, as some will argue, how is it that it performs the great signs from that point onward? Hasn’t it been performing these signs all through the 20th century and doesn’t it continue even now performing those signs in our day making ‘fire come down out of heaven to the earth’ as it were by its advanced military weaponry? Doesn’t this show that we are now in the Lord’s Day since this beast is now performing these great signs?
Rev 13:14, “And it misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs that were granted it to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived.”
It tells everyone to make an image of the beast. Again we will make the assumption that most will not argue that this image of the Beast is the United Nations. Notice the image is made after the sword stroke, which would have apparently occurred during World War 1. History shows that the Anglo-American world power told the earth to make this image in 1919 as the League of Nations after WWI. But it has no life. Later in Rev 13:15 it says, "And there was granted it to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed all those who would not in any way worship the image of the wild beast." This could be a future event when it actually gets power to do something. As of now, the UN could be considered as lifeless and yet it has been made.
How well, once again, that the time period around 1914 fits in with the visions that John saw taking place in the Lord’s Day!
A Beginning of Pangs of Distress
Lets examine the words of Matthew chapter 24 to see if they agree with what has here been discussed thus far. In verse 3 Jesus is asked, “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?”
Jesus reply begins like this: "And in answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads YOU; 5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 YOU are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that YOU are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet."
Is he talking about the sign of his presence here? It would seem so. That was the question he is answering. In verse 7 and 8 its seems like he is summing up what he has just said, “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. 8 All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress." The parallel statements above are: 'the end is not yet' and 'a beginning of pangs of distress'. Sounds like some period of time is involved before the end actually comes.
Are the wars and reports of wars the same as nation rising against nation? Apparently that would be the case. Notice Jesus did not say but 'my presence is not yet'. He said, 'but the end (conclusion of the system) is not yet'.
Another thing to consider is that when Jesus made the statement ‘nation will rise against nation’ etc, notice that he also said, in Matt 24:8, "All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress." I emphasize the 'a' in the verse because it seems to be different from using 'the'. He did not say 'All these thing are THE beginning of the Great Tribulation' as some perceive it. He did not say, 'All these things are THE beginning of THE pangs of distress.' which one would think he would have said if this was 'THE' sign that THE GT/Armageddon and conclusion of the system was immediately upon us. By saying, 'All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress' a person is left with the impression that the end is not instantly upon us but rather that there will be a period of time to follow. That is in fact what Jesus said when he said, ‘but the end is not yet.’ In other words there is a clear distinction between 'a beginning of pangs of distress' and the beginning of the Great tribulation or the beginning of the end of the system.
The riding of the horsemen in Revelation 6 and pangs of distress marking Christ’s presence appear to correspond with one another. It does not appear that ‘a beginning of pangs of distress’ and the riding of the horsemen are the beginning of the Great tribulation. Christ’s presence corresponds to the Lord’s Day but not to Armageddon, the Great Tribulation, or the conclusion of the system of things, although these events do occur at the end of the Lord’s Day or Christ’s presence.
Nation Will Rise Against Nation
There are those who say the prophecy that 'Nation will rise against nation' is a future event and apply it to what will happen in WW III. However there is nothing in this statement that Jesus made that would imply that he was talking about nuclear war. The statement is simple and concise, 'nation will rise against nation'.
Why not take a look at the wars before WW I. For example, here is a link to the wars of the 19th century.
http://www.sirgarnet.com/19thCenturyWars.html
You will note that the 19th century wars are mostly civil wars, wars to unite a country, territorial wars, and minor skirmishes. Nothing that could be considered nation rising against nation to any extent. But consider the 20th century wars. Wars fought between nations where one country was trying to actually conquer and rule over another country, making it part of their own country and totally taking away its independence.
A Guide to 2oth Century Wars makes this comment:
"The 20th century was an era of unprecedented conflict, with wars claiming more victims than ever before. Not only did European wars become truly global for the first time, but the new technologies of violence – from poison gas to the atom bomb – meant that it was easier to kill large numbers of people at the same time. Added to this, wars became total: they were fought with the aim not just of victory, but of annihilating the enemy. And the enemy was no longer simply defined as soldiers, but included civilians."
Here is the link for that sight. http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/H/history/guide20/part05.html
Yes, does that not sound like nation rising against nation! And isn't that exactly what happened during WW I and WW II? For the first time the entire nation including the civilian population was involved in the war not just the soldiers. In fact, more civilians died in the World Wars than soldiers. Since the scripture actually does not say any thing about nuclear war as WW III would no doubt be, we cannot decide on our own to arbitrarily interpret 'nation will rise against nation' to mean nuclear war between nations.
The Presence of the Son of ManThe scenario of those who say we are not now living in the Lord’s day or presence of Christ goes something like this: There will a WWIII, ¼ of the population will be wiped out by the war, food shortages, pestilence, and earthquakes as the system of things and the Anglo-American world power collapse. But the world will come out of the abyss by means of the UN. Then Armageddon will shortly follow. It would seem there would be much chaos and no semblance of normality during this period of time. How could there be when over one and a half billion people will die? And how could it possibly return to normalcy in such a short time period of 3 ½ years as is the time period given by many?
But Matthew 24:36-39 tells us of a completely different situation concerning Christ’s presence. “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 38 For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; 39 and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.”
It does not describe chaos and anarchy. But instead normal everyday living just like what we are experiencing now. Further proof that we are currently living in the Lord’s Day or Christ’s presence.
2 Peter 3:3,4 says, “For YOU know this first, that in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.”
Now ask yourself this: On the heels of World War 3, food shortages, earthquakes, and pestilences where ¼ of the inhabitants of the world are killed would any reasonable person be saying, ‘Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep [in death], all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning’? Hardly! This at the very least confirms that the ‘last days’ begin some time before the end of the system of things. But when considered along with Matthew 24:36-39 it also can give the impression that during Christ’s very presence many will doubt that we are indeed living during his presence.
Yes, Christ’s Presence and the Lord’s Day began at the same time and that beginning appears to be some time around the year 1914. That year would be the most logical choice.
Who Should We Believe?
There are many other events that happen during the Lord’s Days such as the trampling, the wilderness period, the casting out of Satan from heaven, and so on that we will not discuss at this time. But evidence has here been presented proving that the Lord’s Day, that John came to be in by inspiration, began at least somewhere around the year of 1914. Can that really be denied?
When I first read some of the online essays about the 1914 doctrine of Jehovah’s Witnesses I honestly was ready to discard 1914 as being inaccurate. I began to study and search with the viewpoint that 1914 was totally wrong. But as I began to delve into it I found that there were things that didn't quite add up if the Lord's Day and Revelation are all in the future and none of the visions have taken place yet. Some of those things have been presented here.
It is important to study without a preconceived idea to try to make the prophecies fit like we want them to fit. And so if in our studies we find that the WT may be right, at least to some extent, about 1914 should we be so closed minded so as to shrug it off because we are so in love with the idea that we have been especially enlightened concerning the 'truth about the Truth'. Since Jehovah has shown us many truths of the Bible on so many subjects by means of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watchtower publications why should we be so quick to discard the 1914 doctrine without a thorough investigation? When there is doubt it seems to me it would be best to go with those who have shown us all the other wonderful truths of the Bible that we have learned from Jehovah and His Word.
See other blogs: Robert King and Timothy Kline--Humble Truth Tellers or Masters of Deception? http://thetruthaboutthetruthaboutthetruth.blogspot.com/2005/09/robert-king-and-timothy-kline-humble.html
E-Watchman--Enlightened by Holy Spirit or Another Source? http://thetruthaboutthetruthaboutthetruth.blogspot.com/2005/09/e-watchman-enlightened-by-holy-spirit.html
posted by thirdwitness at 11:22 AM
20 Comments:
"Yes, the Lord’s Day comes before his arrival as a thief in the night."
Good rationale!
Thanks for that.
regards
ablebodiedman
(also banned from paradise cafe for giving incontrovertable evidence that the 1914 doctrine is rock solid)
Here is a link to the Paradise Cafe Thread which starts an examination of the incontrovertable evidence for the 1914 doctrine.
http://e-jehovahs-witnesses.com/viewtopic.php?t=746
Here is a link to an essay which describes in detail both the methods and result of testing the inspired expressions supporting the 1914 doctrine:
http://ablebodiedman.blogspot.com/2005/06/while-researching-something-entirely.html
Not everyone will understand:
Daniel 12:10
and no wicked ones at all will understand; but the ones having insight will understand.
regards
ablebodiedman
Good work on this site. The evidence of Christ's Royal Presence beginning in 1914 is really beyond any reasonable doubt. Those who cannot see it - despite the count of the Gentile Times or Christ's prophecy of the sign of his presence in Matthew 24 and 25 - are simply either hopeless stupid or spiritually blind. The evidence mounts up almost daily and soon he will manifest his presence in the Great Tribulation when he brings all his enemies - including all those who deny the Sign of his Presence and lead others into apostacy like E-Wicked - to complete destruction.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Interesting site. Though it doesn't actually provide any evidence for the claims it makes about prophecies applying to the modern age. It doesn't attempt to go near how the year 1914 is arrived at, and ignores the fact that prior to 1914, the 'Bible Students' were saying that Armageddon would happen suddenly in October of 1914. Nothing happened suddenly then at all, and the war that started prior to that has nothing to do with what was 'foretold'. (And mentioning 1874 would be a bit like Basil Fawlty mentioning "the War" to the visiting Germans.) Mixing the metaphor about the 'polished arrows' being the 'servants' who are collected, and at the same time saying those arrows are what goes into those same persons' hearts is painfully weak. What is the actual evidence that the claims made in the article are correct?
But the real question is this: Will the site moderator be intellectual honesty enough to allow this comment to remain?
This is an anonymous comment because people have been disfellowshipped for NOT believing in 1914!
I suggest that anyone who seriously supports 1914 as a Biblical date should consider the immediate context of Luke 21:24, and then carefully check the meaning of the Greek for "will" and also "times". You must do the digging for treasure yourselves, for if I tell you about the gems then you will likely reject it. Please bear in mind that this is a "cornerstone" text for the 1914 argument.
Why did the Watchtower Society promote 1874 even into the 1920s ?
When was 1878 discarded by the Watchtower Society? In 1914 or 1925 or in 1942?
Many dates have been discarded by the Watchtower Society.What needs to be remembered these dates have been preached to the public worldwide.As this organization claims to represent the GOD of TRUTH do you really think he is impressed with this preaching of false date that are discarded in his name.HE is THE GOD of TRUTH not of UNTRUTH>
Why was 1975 promoted by the Governing Body of the Watchtower Society. Claiming Adam and Eve were created in the same year.Were the same age. Refer Aid to Bible Understanding published by Watchtower Society. And the Holy Bible.
The Holy Bible does not mention Eve's age. This was not being faithful to the Holy Scriptures. Rather it was promoting your own ideas.
Later the Watchtower Governing Body said in publications they did not know Eve's age.
After all the worldwide preaching.
As students of the Holy Scriptures they over stepped the Scriptures,did not remain within the guide lines of God's Word.
They presumed to know.What was not given for them to know.
So many dates are changing it is had to keep up with the Watchtower Society. What you are taught today can change in the future. You can preach to the public something that will change later.It gives a bad impression if you change your evidence in court, your evidence is usually discarded. Better to get it right the first time.
This is difficult to understand because God does not change . If we follow his son, our Lord. His load is light and his yoke is kindly. Not too difficult wouldn't you say.
1872 and 1975 what do these two dates have in common?
Fantastic reasoning! Your logic, and your Scriptural knowledge are both well developed. It is impossible to ignore the amazing similarities to 1914 and the events which transpired around that year - Even World War I began in Jehovah's favorite month (Sept-August/Ethanim) when the duke was assassinated. So many things to "write off" as the apostates attempt to do. May you have the continued blessings of the Most High God, Jehovah.
http://www.magnifyjehovah.com
it's ridiculous to say 1914 began the last days of this system. Go read the book THE SIGN OF THE LAST DAYS - WHEN? by Carl Olof Jonsson and Rud Persson, the authors made an exceptional research work about the history of mankind. the WW I was A big moment in our history but not THE one. there were so many great and global wars and pestilences and earthquakes in the past that, compared to our days, nothing has substantially changed. let me add that even pestilences are now better under control than ever, because of the bis progress made in medicine. just look at the population explosion, in the last time. THAT is huge testimony to the fact that today we live better than ever! I think the last days began right after the resurrection of our Lord.
The time has come, dude, when we ALL must choose which side we stand on: doesn’t matter if you’re a Demo or Repub; doesn't matter if the filthy rich control U.S. We must focus on how to please God, for we only have 77ish years; only 2 realms after death… and 1 of ‘em ain’t too cool. Choose Right, choose the Light, and win thy fight. the Warning shall come from Heaven sooner-than-you-think. I hope you’re prepared. Meet me in Heaven. God bless you.
Excellent reply. I came across this site after proving "TTATT" to myself. It seems that all Watchtower apologists pin a series of threads, weakly pinned without solid evidence, darting around the facts (such as the wealth given in GTR) and that snap with a little 'tug' from simple reasoning, when probed by someone with good knowledge.
If this is true and I don't deny it but can someone explain to me how the mark of the beast comes into this and what about those who worship the beast . In what way did anyone worship the beast and if the whole world worshipped it why would anyone try and witness to people who have been condemned by jehovahs an eternal death with no return . Also can u explain the mark of the beast and not being able to buy or sell , I don't think the League of Nations or the un have caused this to occurs . Also when the pale horse gallops isn't a third of the world supposed to die . Wen does this happen because bothe the wars and the Spanish flue only amount to 2 percent of the worlds population so isn't it supposed to be 33 percent. Thx look forward to a reply regarding these matters .
Has this blog closed down or what Coz I ain't got any replies as yet . I was the one who posted the previous comment and I wish for so,some to give me explanations a s to why jehovahs would have his people witness to those who have recieved the mark of the beast which is an eternal death . Also in what way did the un or legume of nations cause people to not be able to buy or sell without the mark and when did they proclaim to want to be worshiped or those who didn't worship them would be put to death . I think 1914 is truly not rue . I believ Satan may have fooled many with his false exclusion of heaven so as to put many to sleep . In all history there have been wars and rumours of wars and the last one hundred years have been no different . Nation rising against nation is different . Today wen have nations rising against nations and that doesn't mean war as in armaments . It can be in currency also or general misunderstanding such as the South China Sea or North Korea sending nuclear weapons wen other countries don't agree with it . Also where is this pestilence . After 1914 in fact in 1928 penicillin was invented and manning has eradicated most of the ills of the previous century with medicines ,
. And where is the famine , do you personally know anyone who has died of starvation or are you trying to tell me the famine only occurs in places like Ethiopia . Australia and America and most countries are affluent since 1914 . But if a limited nuclear war breaks out then the sky will darkn from the fallout and the crops won't grow and it will affect every soul on earth . Can u honestly say you have been affected by these horsemen , I think you playing this prophecy down, when the horsemen gallop everyone on earth no matter where you are will be affected not just some . Some answers would b great ful thankyou . I think you set your blog up very nicely and wel, thought off and nicely planned out . Good job thx
Btw I'm not trying to attack anyone I'm just wanting some honest answers. My reasoning is in line with this blog and even tho you have a good argument I feel your ideology of Christ presence has holes in it that doesn't line up with current events . Try and keep in mind what 2thess 2 say regarding Christs return . Not to be shaken from our reasoning as to a letter pertaining to be from us . Also the man of lawlessness eps it's in the temple of God proclaiming to be a god . Where is this temple of God , it's the watchtower right and so why would Paul warn us about this . Also regarding prophecy the likes of 1975 when the world was suppose to end we can see clearly jehovahs warnings in Deuteronomy 18:22- in regards false prophecies . There's no second chances . If you flame to be getting insight from jehovahs and your prophecies are not right then you become a false prophet and it's just that simple so when Christ finally does riiegn and Satan is truly cast out then he will truly target jehovahs people . Isaiah truly speaks of jehovahs foolish prophets and that they are drunk with wine making a covenant with death . Rutherford wrote many now living shall never die but they did . Isn't that being as if drunk with wine speaking things that jehovahs has not spoken . Keep away guys Coz wen the lords day begins he will clean his own house out first . I hope to hear from someone thx
1874
https://www.quora.com/How-do-Jehovahs-witnesses-come-up-into-conclusion-that-in-1874-Jesus-returned-invisibly-on-Earth/answer/Terrill-Hammons?ch=10&oid=333505655&share=09d10374&srid=3AV8E&target_type=answer
1914
https://www.quora.com/Did-Charles-Taze-Russell-founder-of-Jehovahs-Witnesses-teach-1914-would-be-world-war-I-or-did-he-predict-Armageddon-will-end-in-1914/answer/Terrill-Hammons?ch=10&oid=385107616&share=28a91961&srid=3AV8E&target_type=answer
1925
https://www.quora.com/What-would-Jehovahs-Witnesses-say-about-a-church-that-foretold-the-end-in-1925-Would-they-say-thats-evidence-that-they-are-a-false-religion/answer/Terrill-Hammons?ch=10&oid=378058377&share=7f09bb38&srid=3AV8E&target_type=answer
1975
https://www.quora.com/How-did-fake-news-pushers-claim-Jehovahs-Witnesses-said-the-world-would-end-in-1975/answer/Terrill-Hammons?ch=10&oid=381698674&share=88f19dc4&srid=3AV8E&target_type=answer
1925
https://www.quora.com/What-would-Jehovahs-Witnesses-say-about-a-church-that-foretold-the-end-in-1925-Would-they-say-thats-evidence-that-they-are-a-false-religion/answer/Terrill-Hammons?ch=10&oid=378058377&share=7f09bb38&srid=3AV8E&target_type=answer
1975
https://www.quora.com/How-did-fake-news-pushers-claim-Jehovahs-Witnesses-said-the-world-would-end-in-1975/answer/Terrill-Hammons?ch=10&oid=381698674&share=88f19dc4&srid=3AV8E&target_type=answer
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