Wednesday, April 6

The Failed Predictions Of The Jehovah Witness - 2

Charles Taze Russell Jehovah Witness
This post follows on from The Failed Predictions Of The Jehovah Witness Part 1 we continue with more on the Jehovah's Witness religion.

Following the death of Charles Taze Russell (photo above), the founder, he was succeeded by Judge Joseph R. Rutherford - though he wasn't actually a judge.

Rutherford kept to the 'world will end' message and came up with the slogan 'Millions now living will never die.' What he meant by this was that people born in 1914 would be alive at the time of Armageddon when the world on Earth, as we know it, would end. Instead it would be turned into a paradise for - well, I guess, Jehovah's Witnesses.

In 1925 Rutherford announced that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the prophets were to return so he prepared a mansion, Beth Sarim in San Diego, where they could live. Once ready he moved in himself (he also died there in 1942) and purchased a car so he could drive Abraham etc. about once they were resurrected.

Again this was yet another failed prophesy and the Watch Tower organisation brushed this under the carpet by selling the mansion.

Rutherford also talked about Pleides in the 1928 book Reconciliation. On page 14 he said:

"The constellation of the seven stars forming the Pleides appears to be the crowning center around which the known systems of the planets revolve even as our sun's planets obey the sun and travel in their respective orbits. It has been suggested, and with much weight, that one of the stars of that group is the dwelling-place of Jehovah and the place of the highest heavens; that it is the place to which the inspired writer referred when he said: 'Hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven'; and that it is the place to which Job referred when under inspiration he wrote: 'Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?' (Job 38:31)

When Joseph R. Rutherford died his successor was Nathan Homer Knorr (1905-1977) and he in turn was replaced by Frederick Franz.

There was another problem with their predictions. For several years their magazines were saying that Armageddon would now occur in 1975. When this didn't materialise Franz had some explaining to do and their membership numbers dwindled.

In 1993 Milton Henschel took over from Franz. They had yet another problem as their prediction, that the generation born in 1914 would witness Armageddon, had almost died out - but again no Armageddon. Once more they changed track and in 1995 decided it better to start saying that the great event would happen 'soon' - but what is the definition of soon?

Early Watch Tower magazine Despite getting so much wrong with their predictions the Jehovah's Witnesses door knocking is proving effective and numbers are growing once more. This all shows how there is a need for some form of spirituality, which the main churches aren't providing. Plus there is the 2012 factor.

I've a certain admiration for people who are prepared to follow their faith and live by a standard of rules, even if enforced ones - providing they have given it proper thought.

Jehovah's Witnesses can be 'disfellowshipped', similar to excommunication, for all sorts of reasons such as: attending a Catholic or Protestant church or receiving a blood transfusion.

They refuse to recognise the legitimacy of any governmental authority, since they believe all earthly authority is of Satan. They will not serve in the military, salute the flag, say the Pledge of Allegiance, vote, run for office, or serve as officials for labour unions. There are given standards for their sex lives, even if married.

It does seem that organised religions are often about control and manipulation. Pure speculation, of course, but just imagine if there was really a connection between the Jehovah Witness organisation and the Illuminati or even the Freemasons higher echelons.

The motto for the cross and crown symbol, shown on Charles Taze Russell's memorial and on early Watch Tower magazines is 'In Hoc Signo Vinces' - 'In this sign you will conquer.' As I say, pure speculation. Might be a story for Dan Brown there!

See also The Failed Predictions Of The Jehovah Witness Part 1

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5 comments:

  1. Interesting subject, Mike. Why don't you write the book about the 'In this sign you will conquer' instead of giving the idea to Dan Brown? He's sold enough books!

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  2. Anonymous14:55

    I like Suzie's idea! I could see you doing this sort of novel.
    Trish

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  3. know a lot more about jw now. so are you are going to write the book!?

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  4. Your book doesn't have to be a novel, non fiction is easier and you've got the voice already. :D

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  5. Anonymous23:31

    Note: Charles Taze Russell really had no part in the creation of JW. JW is actually a small part of the Russell's Society before his death. More than 75% of the society left the WT&TS that Russell formed due to the new leadership, Rutherford. Rutherford new organizational, characteristic, and teachings pretty much molded the JW religious Organizational group we know today. He was the one who named the remaining loyal society "Jehovah Witnesses."

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