New Light

"New light" is perhaps the single most important 'doctrine' of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

It is the teaching or understanding of how God reveals new or updated information to the worshippers. It is not unique to the Jehovah's Witnesses either. Other religions use the concept too.

As a child or teenager in the Witness Organization, it is vital that you know just how it is that teachings get changed and how they do it. The fact is that sometimes they go back and forwards between doctrines as if the holy spirit cant make up its mind.

The primary scripture used to support this 'idea' is Proverbs 4:18...

"But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established."

Watchtower 2/15 2006: The article is used to demonstrate 'new light' at work...

Walking in the Path of Increasing Light
“The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.”—PROVERBS 4:18.
WHO can better describe the effect that the rising sun has on the darkness of the night than the very Source of light, Jehovah God? (Psalm 36:9) ‘When the morning light takes hold on the ends of the earth,’ God says, ‘the earth transforms itself like clay under a seal, and things take their station as in clothing.’ (Job 38:12-14) With increasing light from the sun, earth’s features take shape and become clearer, just as soft clay undergoes a transformation upon receiving an imprint from an emblem on a seal.
2 Jehovah is also the Source of spiritual light. (Psalm 43:3) While the world remains in dense darkness, the true God continues to shed light upon his people. With what result? The Bible answers: “The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.” (Proverbs 4:18) Increasing light from Jehovah continues to illuminate the path of his people. It refines them organizationally, doctrinally, and morally.
Enlightenment Leads to Organizational Refinements
3 Through the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah foretold: “Instead of the copper I shall bring in gold, and instead of the iron I shall bring in silver, and instead of the wood, copper, and instead of the stones, iron.” (Isaiah 60:17) Just as replacing an inferior material with a superior one denotes improvement, Jehovah’s Witnesses have experienced improvements in their organizational arrangements all through “the conclusion of the system of things,” or “the last days.”—Matthew 24:3; 2 Timothy 3:1.
4 In the early part of the last days, the congregations of Bible Students, as Jehovah’s Witnesses were then known, democratically elected their elders and deacons. Some elders, however, did not have the genuine spirit of evangelizing. Some not only were reluctant to participate in the preaching work themselves but also discouraged others from sharing in it. So in 1919 a new office was instituted in each congregation—that of a service director. The service director was not elected by the congregation but was appointed theocratically to his position by the branch office of God’s people. The responsibilities of the appointed director included organizing the preaching work, assigning territories, and encouraging participation in the field ministry. During the years that followed, the Kingdom-preaching work received a tremendous stimulus.
5 All in the congregation were further invigorated by the exhortation “Advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom,” given in 1922 at the Bible Students’ convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A. By 1927 field service was organized to the point that Sunday was designated as the most suitable day for participating in the house-to-house preaching work. Why that day? Because Sunday was the day when most people were off work. Jehovah’s Witnesses today manifest the same spirit by endeavoring to call on people at times when they are most likely to be at home, such as on weekends and in the evenings.
6 A great impetus to the Kingdom-proclamation work came on Sunday afternoon, July 26, 1931, when a resolution was adopted, first at a convention in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A., and thereafter around the world. In part, the resolution stated: “We are servants of Jehovah God commissioned to do a work in his name, and, in obedience to his commandment, to deliver the testimony of Jesus Christ, and to make known to the people that Jehovah is the true and Almighty God; therefore we joyfully embrace and take the name which the mouth of the Lord God has named, and we desire to be known as and called by the name, to wit, Jehovah’s witnesses.” (Isaiah 43:10) How clearly that new name defined the primary activity of all of those bearing that name! Yes, Jehovah had work for all his servants to share in. The overall response was enthusiastic indeed!
7 Many elders humbly devoted themselves to the preaching work. In some places, though, elected elders put up considerable resistance to the idea that everyone in the congregation should participate in the public ministry. However, further improvements were in sight. In 1932 the congregations received instruction through The Watchtower to discontinue the electing of elders and deacons. Instead, they were to elect a service committee composed of spiritual men who participated in the public preaching work. Oversight was thus entrusted to those who actively shared in the ministry, and the work moved ahead.
Increased Light Means Further Improvements
8 The light was “getting lighter and lighter.” In 1938 the use of elections was eliminated altogether. All servants in the congregation were to be appointed theocratically under the oversight of “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45-47) The change was readily accepted by practically all the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the work of witnessing continued to bear fruit.
9 Beginning October 1, 1972, another adjustment in congregational oversight became effective. The arrangement of oversight by a body of elders was instituted in the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide, replacing oversight by just one congregation servant, or overseer. This new arrangement has provided tremendous encouragement for mature men to qualify to take the lead in the congregation. (1 Timothy 3:1-7) As a result, a greater number of brothers have gained experience in caring for congregational responsibilities. How valuable they have proved to be in shepherding the many new ones who have accepted Bible truth!
10 The members of the Governing Body were organized into six committees, and starting on January 1, 1976, all the activities of the organization and of the congregations around the earth came under the supervision of these committees. What a blessing it has proved to be to have all aspects of the Kingdom work directed by a “multitude of counselors”!—Proverbs 15:22; 24:6.
11 The year 1992 saw still another refinement, one that is comparable to what happened after the Israelites and others returned from exile in Babylon. Back at that time, there were not a sufficient number of Levites to care for temple service. So non-Israelite Nethinim were given more to do in helping the Levites. Accordingly, to assist the faithful and discreet slave class in caring for its increasing earthly interests, in 1992 some of the “other sheep” received added service responsibilities. They were appointed as helpers to the Governing Body committees.—John 10:16.
12 What has resulted from all of this? “I will appoint peace as your overseers and righteousness as your task assigners,” says Jehovah. (Isaiah 60:17) There is “peace” among Jehovah’s servants today, and love of “righteousness” has become their ‘task assigner’—the force that impels them to serve God. They are well-organized to carry out the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work.—Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20.
Jehovah Illuminates the Path Doctrinally
13 Jehovah is also progressively illuminating the path of his people doctrinally. Revelation 12:1-9 provides an example. The account refers to three symbolic characters—“a woman” who is pregnant and gives birth, a “dragon,” and “a son, a male.” Do you know whom each figure represents? They were identified in an article entitled “Birth of the Nation,” which appeared in the March 1, 1925, issue of The Watch Tower. That article gave God’s people a better understanding of the prophecies about the birth of the Kingdom, insight that made it clear that there exist two distinct organizations—Jehovah’s and Satan’s. Then in 1927/28, God’s people recognized that Christmas and birthday celebrations are unscriptural, and they discontinued observing such.
14 The 1930’s saw further light shed on three doctrinal truths. For years, the Bible Students had known that the great multitude, or the “great crowd,” spoken of at Revelation 7:9-17 was different from the 144,000, who would rule with Christ as kings and priests. (Revelation 5:9, 10; 14:1-5) However, the identity of the great multitude remained unclear. Just as increasing morning light causes otherwise obscure objects to take on shape and color, in 1935 the great multitude was identified as those who survive “the great tribulation,” with the prospect of living forever on earth. Later in the same year came a clarification that affected school-age children of Jehovah’s Witnesses in a number of countries. While patriotic fervor was running high the world over, the Witnesses recognized that saluting the flag is much more than a mere formalism. In the following year, another doctrinal truth, that Christ died on a stake, not a cross, was explained.—Acts 10:39.
15 In the wake of World War II, during which it had become standard practice to treat wounded soldiers with blood transfusions, there was increased light on the sanctity of blood. The July 1, 1945, issue of The Watchtower encouraged “all worshipers of Jehovah who seek eternal life in his new world of righteousness to respect the sanctity of blood and to conform themselves to God’s righteous rulings concerning this vital matter.”
16 In 1946 a need was seen for a fresh Bible translation that took advantage of the latest scholarship and was not tainted by dogmas based on traditions of Christendom. Work on such a translation began in December 1947. In 1950 the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures was released in English. The Hebrew Scriptures in English came in five volumes, released progressively beginning in 1953. The final volume was released in 1960, a little over 12 years after the translation project began. The complete New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures in one volume was released in 1961. Now available in many languages, this translation has some outstanding features. It restores the divine name, Jehovah. Moreover, its literal rendering of the original writings has provided the basis for continuous progress in the understanding of divine truth.
17 Clarification of “the superior authorities” of Romans 13:1 and the extent of a Christian’s subjection to them came in 1962. An in-depth study of the 13th chapter of Romans and Scriptural texts such as Titus 3:1, 2 and 1 Peter 2:13, 17 made it clear that the expression “superior authorities” refers, not to Jehovah God and Jesus Christ, but to human governmental authorities.
18 In the years that followed, the path of the righteous ones continued to get brighter and brighter. In 1985 light was shed upon what it means to be declared righteous “for life” and righteous as a friend of God. (Romans 5:18; James 2:23) The meaning of the Christian Jubilee was thoroughly explained in 1987.
19 In 1995 the separating of “the sheep” from “the goats” was more clearly understood. The year 1998 saw the detailed explanation of Ezekiel’s temple vision, which is already in the course of fulfillment. In 1999 came clarification of when and how ‘the disgusting thing stands in a holy place.’ (Matthew 24:15, 16; 25:32) And in 2002 further discernment was gained regarding what it means to worship God “with spirit and truth.”—John 4:24.
20 In addition to the organizational and doctrinal refinements, there have been refinements with regard to Christian conduct. For example, in 1973 the use of tobacco was seen as a “defilement of flesh” and was to be viewed as serious wrongdoing. (2 Corinthians 7:1) A decade later, the July 15, 1983, issue of The Watchtower clarified our position on the use of firearms. These are just some examples of the increasing light in our time.
Go On Walking in the Path of Increasing Light
21 “Accepting a change when it comes and adapting to it can be difficult,” admits one longtime elder. What has helped him accept the many refinements he has witnessed in the 48 years that he has been a Kingdom proclaimer? He answers: “Having the right attitude is the key. Refusing to accept a refinement is to be left behind as the organization moves ahead. If I find myself in a situation where changes seem hard to accept, I reflect on Peter’s words to Jesus: ‘Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life.’ Then I ask myself, ‘Where shall I go away to—out there into the darkness of the world?’ This helps me to hold firmly to God’s organization.”—John 6:68.
22 The world around us is certainly in dense darkness. As Jehovah continues to shed light on his people, the gap between them and those of the world keeps on widening. What does this light do for us? Well, just as shining a spotlight on a pothole on a dark roadway does not remove the hole, light from God’s Word does not remove pitfalls. Yet, divine light surely helps us to avoid them so that we can continue walking in the path of increasing light. Let us, then, continue to pay attention to Jehovah’s prophetic word, “as to a lamp shining in a dark place.”—2 Peter 1:19.

Ok, thats it in a long winded way! In a nutshell, what they are saying to you is that as time goes on, Jehovah reveals things that he didn't tell you before.

How do they defend the changes?

Questions From Readers Watchtower 1954 15 Oct:
● How does Jehovah’s spirit help the “faithful and discreet slave” arrive at the truth of a matter? The Society does not claim infallibility or inspiration. How much is dependent upon the written Word? How can we be sure that this is the organization Jehovah is using when some things are published and later changed?—C. P., United States.

In regard to how the truth is brought forth through Jehovah’s organization, please note that if the Watch Tower Society were infallible there would be no need for future correction of viewpoints held; but because it is not infallible and has never claimed to be, from time to time corrections are necessary. If Jehovah’s spirit operated in the way it did upon Bible writers, inspiring them to write according to Jehovah’s thoughts, then no future corrections in matters would ever be necessary. But because the spirit does not operate in this way today some corrections are made from time to time.
Jehovah God, in fact, foretold or indicated that such would be the case. At Proverbs 4:18 (AS) it states: “The path of the righteous is as the dawning light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” While the light is still dim the broad outline of an object may be visible but the details of it are not always distinct, and as the light increases these details may be seen with more clarity and a corrected view is obtained. Full dependence is placed upon Jehovah’s Word in the formulation of truth and it is from his Word that proof should be forthcoming. However, with greater clarity and understanding, new truths are discerned and something that previously appeared very logical may require revision.
Jehovah did not say that the entire matter would be seen in crystal clarity instantaneously. With these last days in mind, Jesus spoke of the “faithful and discreet slave” that would be appointed to bring forth “food at the proper time.” (Matt. 24:45, NW) This is a progressive process, food being continually provided, and as we advance in the stream of time and observe further fulfillment of prophecy new truths are discerned and brought forth and constitute fresh and nourishing food for our day. Some truths were not essential for us prior to the time of their discernment, otherwise Jehovah would have caused them to become known earlier.
Even the erroneous viewpoints held by Jehovah’s witnesses during the first world war served their purpose in contributing to the fulfillment of prophecy, for Jehovah had long ago foretold a condition of spiritual uncleanness upon his people at that particular time and the cleansing work that would be done. Hence such things are to be expected according to prophecy and their occurrence is a confirmation that this is Jehovah’s organization, rather than a cause for raising question concerning Jehovah’s use of the organization.
Jehovah uses this organization because it is meek and teachable and is not set and bound in its viewpoints. It is an organization that looks to Jehovah for guidance and direction and watches his maneuvering of matters on the world scene and the outworking of events that fulfill prophecy and it lines up its views in accord with these things. It is willing to change and keep up with the developing conditions, to keep up with the light as the light is revealed brighter and brighter. That is why Jehovah can use this organization, and certainly the facts show that he has been using it and is continuing to use it. He is bringing the increase. He is using this organization to preach the good news of the established Kingdom in all the inhabited earth. Prophecies are being fulfilled upon this group. We are counseled to remain close to the organization, for even if the organization does have views that are later changed, our safety lies in remaining within the organization and changing with it when the light increases and new truths are discerned.
No other organization has shown this flexibility to alter its views, to keep up with the changing times, to be alert to the increased light that comes from Jehovah from the temple, for other groups are bound by their centuries-old creeds. Rather than a stumbling stone, the Society’s readiness to alter its views when necessary should be a source of comfort and encouragement, an assurance that there will be continual advancement and increase in learning, an ever-brightening light as we approach closer to the perfect day with its noonday brightness. A false religion may have some truth in it, but it never gets rid of its many falsehoods and the truth it does have continues to be contaminated. With Jehovah’s organization the beliefs can be established from the Bible, and when some erroneous view does creep in it is soon ferreted out and discarded.

In another 'nut shell' moment, what they are saying is: The holy spirit just does not work like it used to and we make mistakes and jehovah lets us make wrong doctrines because thats good for us. Aren't you glad we change our teachings?

Ok, sufficient to show the teaching, that it has been around a long time and the scripture and reasoning used.

WHAT IS THE GOLDEN RULE OF SCRIPTURE UNDERSTANDING?

CONTEXT.

Watchtower 1/1 2003:

What Can Help Us to Handle the Word of the Truth Aright?
A THEATER critic for a newspaper once went to see a certain play. He did not much like it and afterward wrote: “If triviality is what you happen to be wanting, by all means go and see this play.” Later, the promoters of the play published an advertisement that featured a quote from the critic’s review. The quote was: “By all means go and see this play”! The advertisement accurately quoted the critic’s words, but it lifted them out of context and thus grossly misrepresented his view.

That example illustrates how important the context of a statement can be. Taking words out of context can distort their meaning, just as Satan distorted the meaning of Scripture when he tried to mislead Jesus. (Matthew 4:1-11) On the other hand, taking the context of a statement into account helps us to get a more accurate understanding of its meaning. For this reason, when we study a Bible verse, it is always wise to look at the context and see the verse in its setting in order to understand better what the writer was talking about.
Handle With Care
A dictionary defines context as “the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect.” Context can also be “the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation, etc.” In this latter sense, a synonym for “context” would be “background.” Considering the context of a scripture is particularly important in view of what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: “Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright.” (2 Timothy 2:15) In order to handle God’s Word aright, we need to understand it properly and then explain it honestly and accurately to others. Respect for Jehovah, the Bible’s Author, will move us to try to do that, and considering the context will be an important help.

So, what is the context of Proverbs chapter 4? Lets read it carefully just as the red highlighted section of the 2003 Watchtower admonishes

PROVERBS 4: 1 Listen, O sons, to the discipline of a father and pay attention, so as to know understanding. 2 For good instruction is what I certainly shall give to YOU. My law DO not leave. 3 For I proved to be a real son to my father, tender and the only one before my mother. 4 And he would instruct me and say to me: “May your heart keep fast hold of my words. Keep my commandments and continue living. 5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding. Do not forget, and do not turn aside from the sayings of my mouth. 6 Do not leave it, and it will keep you. Love it, and it will safeguard you. 7 Wisdom is the prime thing. Acquire wisdom; and with all that you acquire, acquire understanding. 8 Highly esteem it, and it will exalt you. It will glorify you because you embrace it. 9 To your head it will give a wreath of charm; a crown of beauty it will bestow upon you.”
10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings. Then for you the years of life will become many. 11 I will instruct you even in the way of wisdom; I will cause you to tread in the tracks of uprightness. 12 When you walk, your pace will not be cramped; and if you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take hold on discipline; do not let go. Safeguard it, for it itself is your life.
14 Into the path of the wicked ones do not enter, and do not walk straight on into the way of the bad ones. 15 Shun it, do not pass along by it; turn aside from it, and pass along. 16 For they do not sleep unless they do badness, and their sleep has been snatched away unless they cause someone to stumble. 17 For they have fed themselves with the bread of wickedness, and the wine of acts of violence is what they drink. 18 But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established. 19 The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling. New world translation.

lets break it down into the basic points:

Do not leave my law. do not leave it. It will keep you, protect and safeguard you. Compare this to the wicked... who can't sleep unless they do bad! But the path of you, under my law, is bright while the wicked's is in gloom.

I am sure you can see this. Where does it speak of religous truths being expounded? Of Jehovah slowly releasing hidden and unknown truths? It does not. Proverbs chapter 4 is not about that. It is merely a comparison of the life of the righteous and the wicked. That the righteous one will fare better in life than the wicked.

The Watchtower bible and tract society actually take this one verse out of context to support a teaching that simply is not in the Bible. And who is the master of distorting biblical context? They themselves tell you... Satan.

From herein i will demonstrate further the falsehood of "NEW LIGHT".

(work in progress)

the importance of 1914 to 1919 in JW history

What is 1914 to 1919 about? Is it important today to understand the importance that the Jehovah's Witnesses place on that date?

Most JWs can't even go back as far as 1975... and most who came into the 'truth' in the last 20 years or so probably don't have any idea what 1919 is about either. That is truly a lamentable situation.

This post is about that... If you think it is too far in the past to be of importance then i suggest you do read this:

1919 is stated as the year Jesus selected The International Bible Students under J.F. Rutherford as his sole chosen vessel. That is a huge claim to make and must be able to withstand all questioning. The burden of proof is with the modern day Jehovah's Witnesses. Can it stand up to scrutiny?


This is a big claim that in 1919, Jesus had inspected all the religions of Christendom and found the 'international bible students' to be the only ones to be truly his followers and bestowed upon them the term 'Faithful and discreet slave'.

Below are a few references from watchtower magazines to illustrate the teaching. Please go look up the articles...for the sake of brevity i will only post the sections that are strictly pertanent. Naturaly they are talking about themselves as the 'faithful slave'.

Watchtower of 1/15 2008;

"When Christ inspected the “slave” in 1918, he found those anointed ones on earth to be faithful in providing spiritual “food at the proper time.” Hence, Jesus, the Master, was pleased thereafter to appoint them “over all his belongings.”
Watchtower of 3/1 2004:

A “Slave” Who Is Both Faithful and Discreet
“Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics?”— Since Jesus is now in heaven, how has he arranged for us here on earth to receive our spiritual food supply?

3
“Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings.” (Matthew 24:45-47) Yes, there would be a “slave” who had been assigned to provide spiritual food, a “slave” who would be both faithful and discreet.
6 The only reasonable conclusion, then, is that Jesus was referring to a group of Christians as “the faithful and discreet slave.” Can there be such a thing as a composite slave?

The “Slave” 19 Centuries Later
16 What about today? When Jesus’ presence began in 1914, did he find a group of anointed Christians who were faithfully dispensing food at the proper time? He certainly did. This group could be clearly identified because of the fine fruitage that it was producing. (Matthew 7:20) History since then has proved this identification to be correct.

18 Yes, when the Master arrived, he found his faithful slave conscientiously feeding the domestics as well as preaching the good news. Greater responsibilities now awaited that slave. Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings.” (Matthew 24:47) Jesus did this in 1919, after the slave had passed through a period of testing. Why, though, did “the faithful and discreet slave” receive greater responsibilities? Because the Master had received an increase in his belongings. Jesus was given the kingship in 1914.

watchtower 10/1 2005

16 Revelation chapter 14 goes on to describe further events that are to take place in the hour of judgment. Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, is mentioned first: “Another, a second angel, followed, saying: ‘She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen!’” (Revelation 14:8) Yes, from God’s viewpoint, Babylon the Great has already fallen. In 1919, Jehovah’s anointed servants were set free from the bondage of Babylonish doctrines and practices, which have dominated peoples and nations for millenniums. (Revelation 17:1, 15) They could henceforth devote themselves to promoting true worship. Global preaching of the good news of God’s Kingdom has taken place since then.—Matthew 24:14


Revelation book of 1988:

Chapter 12 para 18,19:

In 1919 Jesus fulfilled his promise and recognized the small band of genuine anointed Christians as his “faithful and discreet slave.” ....... Jehovah has strengthened his servants for this privilege, boosting their little power into dynamic energy sufficient for a gigantic global witness.—Isaiah 22:20, 22; 40:29.....
19 From 1919 onward the anointed remnant, following Jesus’ example, launched into a vigorous campaign of declaring abroad the good news of the Kingdom.

Chapter 25 para 25:

24 What a shock for those persecutors! The corpses of the two witnesses were suddenly alive and active again. It was a bitter pill for those clergymen to swallow, the more so since the Christian ministers whom they had schemed to put in prison were free again, later to be fully exonerated. The shock must have been even greater when, in September 1919, the Bible Students held a convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A. Here J. F. Rutherford, recently released from prison, stirred conventioners with his talk “Announcing the Kingdom,” based on Revelation 15:2 and Isaiah 52:7. Those of the John class began once again to “prophesy,” or preach publicly. They advanced from strength to strength, fearlessly exposing Christendom’s hypocrisy.
25 Christendom tried again and again to repeat her triumph of 1918. She resorted to mob action, legal maneuvering, imprisonment, even executions—all to no avail! After 1919 the spiritual domain of the two witnesses was out of her reach. In that year Jehovah had said to them: “Come on up here,” and they had ascended to an elevated spiritual state where their enemies could see them but could not touch them.

3 You may ask, ‘Since religion still exercises great influence in the earth, why does the angel announce that Babylon the Great has fallen?’ Well, what resulted after 539 B.C.E. when ancient Babylon fell? Why, Israel was freed to return to its homeland and restore true worship there! So the restoration of spiritual Israel in 1919 to a radiant spiritual prosperity, which continues and expands to this day, stands as evidence that Babylon the Great fell in that year.
OK. Enough to show the claim of being the 'faithful and discreet slave' and that the proof is in the preaching, the spreading of the good news of Christ, the abandoning of 'Babylonish teachings'. And that this occured when Jesus made inspection from 1914 and ending in 1919.

So. it is very clear that Jehovah's Witnesses see themselves as The sole channel of God. Selected in 1919 by Jesus. The 'evidence' is the monumental preaching work they have accomplished and the fact that the other religions can no longer silence them.

The real 1919

What though was the world of 1919 like? It is very easy to gloss over history with statements in publications of modern times. When Jesus inspected the churches of christendom in 1919 looking for his 'faithful and discreet slave, what did he find? How did he spot the international bible students out of all the others? What was the 'fine fruitage that was being produced'?

Going on the old saying, 'self praise is no recomendation' i will discount the jailing and release from prison of Rutherford as a prophetic fullfilment and as a proof that this event somehow was a sign of Jesus' blessing. This is because other religions also have significant events concerning their leaders that deal with 1914 and 1919 too. Lets stick to the cold hard facts of history.

The preaching work is pretty obvious as the fruitage that is talked about here, and the 'feeding', or dissemination of bible truths to as many as possible.

Lets then do some comparisons then, as there were also other people doing similar things and see what makes the bible students stand out enough for Jesus to notice them above the rest.

Who should we look at? What other groups can we consider even came close? Let the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society tell us themselves...

Proclaimers book chpt 1:

Influence of Others
Russell referred quite openly to the assistance in Bible study he had received from others. Not only did he acknowledge his indebtedness to Second Adventist Jonas Wendell but he also spoke with affection about two other individuals who had aided him in Bible study. Russell said of these two men: “The study of the Word of God with these dear brethren led, step by step, into greener pastures.” One, George W. Stetson, was an earnest student of the Bible and pastor of the Advent Christian Church in Edinboro, Pennsylvania.
The other, George Storrs, was publisher of the magazine Bible Examiner, in Brooklyn, New York. Storrs, who was born on December 13, 1796, was initially stimulated to examine what the Bible says about the condition of the dead as a result of reading something published (though at the time anonymously) by a careful student of the Bible, Henry Grew, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Storrs became a zealous advocate of what was called conditional immortality—the teaching that the soul is mortal and that immortality is a gift to be attained by faithful Christians. He also reasoned that since the wicked do not have immortality, there is no eternal torment. Storrs traveled extensively, lecturing on the subject of no immortality for the wicked. Among his published works was the Six Sermons, which eventually attained a distribution of 200,000 copies. Without a doubt, Storrs’ strong Bible-based views on the mortality of the soul as well as the atonement and restitution (restoration of what was lost due to Adamic sin; Acts 3:21) had a strong, positive influence on young Charles T. Russell. [note: Storrs also was an Adventist]
Yet, another man who had a profound effect on Russell’s life also caused his loyalty to Scriptural truth to be put to the test.
Time Prophecies and the Presence of the Lord
One morning in January 1876, 23-year-old Russell received a copy of a religious periodical called Herald of the Morning. From the picture on the cover, he could see that it was identified with Adventism. The editor, Nelson H. Barbour, of Rochester, New York, believed that the object of Christ’s return was not to destroy the families of the earth but to bless them and that his coming would be not in the flesh but as a spirit. Why, this was in agreement with what Russell and his associates in Allegheny had believed for some time! Curiously, though, Barbour believed from Biblical time-prophecies that Christ was already present (invisibly) and that the harvest work of gathering “the wheat” (true Christians making up the Kingdom class) was already due.—Matt., chap. 13.
Russell had shied away from Biblical time prophecies. Now, however, he wondered: “Could it be that the time prophecies which I had so long despised, because of their misuse by Adventists, were really meant to indicate when the Lord would be invisibly present to set up his Kingdom?” With his insatiable thirst for Scriptural truth, Russell had to learn more. So he arranged to meet with Barbour in Philadelphia. This meeting confirmed their agreement on a number of Bible teachings and provided an opportunity for them to exchange views. “When we first met,” Russell later stated, “he had much to learn from me on the fulness of restitution based upon the sufficiency of the ransom given for all, as I had much to learn from him concerning time.” Barbour succeeded in convincing Russell that Christ’s invisible presence had begun in 1874.

In the August 1878 issue of Herald of the Morning, there appeared an article by Barbour that denied the substitutionary value of Christ’s death. Russell, who was nearly 30 years younger than Barbour, could see that this was, in fact, denying the essential part of the ransom doctrine. So in the very next issue (September 1878), Russell, in an article entitled “The Atonement,” upheld the ransom and contradicted Barbour’s statements. The controversy continued in the pages of the journal for the next few months. Finally, Russell decided to withdraw from fellowship with Mr. Barbour and discontinued further financial support to the Herald.
C. T. Russell, though, felt that to withdraw from the Herald was not enough; the ransom doctrine must be defended and Christ’s presence must be proclaimed. Hence, in July 1879, Russell began publishing Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. Russell was the editor and publisher, with five others originally listed as contributors to its columns. The first issue had a printing of 6,000 copies. By 1914 the printing of each issue was about 50,000 copies.

It is therefore no secret that the greatest influences on Russell were in fact all Adventists. In fact the split from partnership with Adventist Barbour was only on one doctrine. They were in agreement obviously on everything else. After the split, he started his own magazine. It is therefore a logical follow-on that if he and Barbour had not parted, the two of them would have grown an Adventist style religion.

Thus, it is most logical that the only real contenders for comparison is the Adventist faiths up to 1919. How different were they that Jesus would pick one over the other?

Proclaimers chpt 22
The actual number who were then sharing in that work, however, was small. Some who had fearfully held back during 1918 became active again, and a few more joined their ranks. But the records that are available show that in 1919 there were only some 5,700 who were actively witnessing, in 43 lands.


The criteria must be what the Jehovah's Witnesses use as proofs. Again, as it was between 1914 and 1919.


Proof 1) The dispensing (feeding) of Bible truths to multitudes: Done by publication and meetings.

Jehovahs Witnesess;

Zions Watchtower and herald of Christs presence published from 1879. (has had a few name changes)

The Golden age published from 1919. (Became Consolation, and now called Awake!

Russells sermons were published in many newspapers.

Regular meetings of 'companies' to discuss the teachings of the International Bible Students as they were then called.

Adventist;

Barbours "herald of the morning".

The Adventist Review was founded by James and Ellen White in July 1849 as The Present Truth, but the name was changed to The Advent Review and then Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald (with variations) after being combined with the Sabbath Herald publication. The name was changed to Adventist Review in 1978. Throughout its history it has been commonly referred to as the Review.

Many Adventists were prolific in writing pamphlets as well.

Meetings to discuss bible truths. Indeed this was how C.T.Russell's interest was re-kindled.

Proof 2) Growth: Significant increase in numbers
Jehovahs Witnesses:

Proclaimers chpt 22:
The actual number who were then sharing in that work, however, was small. Some who had fearfully held back during 1918 became active again, and a few more joined their ranks. But the records that are available show that in 1919 there were only some 5,700 who were actively witnessing, in 43 lands.

Adventist:

Under White's guidance the denomination in the 1870s turned to missionary work and revivals, tripling its membership to 16,000 by 1880; rapid growth continued, with 75,000 members in 1901. By this time operated two colleges, a medical school, a dozen academies, 27 hospitals, and 13 publishing houses.

Proof 3) Preaching: Reaching out to non believers and other regligions.

Jehovah's Witnesses:

Brother Rutherford was inclined, not to change the direction of the organization, but to continue in the forward-moving pattern established by Russell. Traveling representatives of the Society (known as pilgrims) were increased from 69 to 93. Distribution of the Society’s free tracts was accelerated on occasional Sundays in front of the churches and regularly in the house-to-house ministry.
The “pastoral work,” which had been started prior to Russell’s death, was now stepped up. This was a follow-up work, similar to the return-visit activity now carried on by Jehovah’s Witnesses. To further revitalize the preaching work, the Society’s new president expanded the colporteur work. Colporteurs (forerunners of today’s pioneers) were increased from 372 to 461. (proclaimers book 1993)

This work of course, was built on the 'pattern' left by Russell. It included international and national preaching tours, supporting missionary work and establishing branches in other countries.

Adventist:

In this current issue we spotlight the pulpit ministry of the pioneers of our faith. The intent is to show how our Seventh-day Adventist pioneers sought every opportunity at the pulpit to present our distinctive message and to prepare a people for the Lord. Whether it was at a worship service, funeral service, church dedication, in the territories of unbelievers, in homes, etc., the early pioneers found ways to proclaim the unvarnished Word.

Ellen G. White (1827–1915) In addition to being a prolific writer, E.G. White was also known for her public speaking, speaking to crowds of varying sizes—the largest on one occasion being about 20,000 people.

Roswell F. Cottrell (1814–1892) . His discourse, “Sermon Preached to the Seneca Indians” is believed to be the earliest Sabbathkeeping Adventist sermon that has survived. Published in the May 14, 1857, issue of the Review and Herald, the sermon is also believed to the first attempt by a Sabbathkeeping Adventist to share his faith with members of any American Indian tribe.

John N. Andrews (1829–1883) became the denomination’s first official overseas missionary in 1874. Andrews preached his sermon on Sunday afternoon, April 20, 1879, to an overflow crowd of about 5,000 people during the dedication of the “Dime” Tabernacle in Battle Creek, Michigan. He took his text from the mottoes on the windows of the church.

Stephen N. Haskell (1833–1922) was an evangelist and administrator. He pioneered many missionary activities for the church. For example, in 1885 he led the group that was sent to open denominational work in Australia and New Zealand. In 1887, with three Bible instructors he began SDA work in London, England. He made a world tour on behalf of missionary work in 1889–1890, visiting western Europe, southern Africa, India, China, Japan, and Australia. Haskell was also responsible for the organization of the first SDA church of African-Americans in New York City (1902).

Alonzo T. Jones (1850–1923) In 1888, these two men stirred the General Conference session in Minneapolis with their preaching on righteousness by faith. For several years thereafter, they preached on that subject from coast to coast. Ellen White accompanied them on many occasions. (copyright adventist affirm on line magazine)

Proof 4) Free of Babylonish teachings: The abandoning of false teachings.

Jehovah's witnesses:

Abandoned hellfire, trinity, immortal soul, once saved always saved etc. 're-discovered' truths like ressurection, atonement, ransom sacrifice, the remnant, christs return etc.

Adventists:

Also had abandoned hellfire, trinity, immortal soul, once saved always saved etc. 're-discovered' truths like ressurection, atonement, ransom sacrifice, the remnant, christs return etc .

What does the record show?

It shows that up to 1919, including the special years of christ's inspection (1914 to 1919) both groups were essentially the same!

BOTH GROUPS were publishing bible based magazines, books and tracts. BOTH GROUPS were teaching others in new found 'truths' in small and large groups. BOTH GROUPS were active in the preaching of the Gospel, Missionary work, travelling preaching tours and converting from other religions of 'Christendom'. BOTH GROUPS had abandoned many of the core 'false' teachings of mainstream Catholic and protestant religions. BOTH GROUPS were now teaching loudly the same 'new found' truths they felt were long hidden... and... BOTH GROUPS had a major upheaval in those years, the IBSA lost Russell in 1916 and felt tested by Rutherfords imprisionment and release in 1919, the SDA lost White in 1915 and had a church crises in 1919!

Now, here-in is a delema for the Jehovah's Witnesses of today:

proclaimers book 1993 chpt 5:

C. T. Russell used the Watch Tower and other publications to uphold Bible truths and to refute false religious teachings and human philosophies that contradicted the Bible. He did not, however, claim to discover new truths.
From the latter part of the 18th century, many ministers and Bible scholars had been exposing the false teachings of the immortality of the soul and eternal punishment for the wicked. This exposé had been thoroughly reported in the book Bible Vs. Tradition, by Aaron Ellis, originally published in England and then in the United States in 1853 by George Storrs. But no one at that time did more than C. T. Russell and his associates to make this truth known.

Who says so? Says that no-one did more than Russell? Why, the Jehovah's Witnesses naturally! (And the saying 'self praise is no recomendation' springs to mind here.) BUT, it is more important to let the facts of history tell the story, not revisionist history. The above information plainly tells the story. Russell and the Bible Students did no more than the others, in fact they did considerably LESS.

Thus the record shows that in reality, there was no way Jesus could have picked them above the others of the time.

Now i will discuss some other theological and delemas that their unprovable claim raises.

The Witnesses have from time to time published their 'history' in an attempt to show that they have never been perfect and are on path of continued enlightenment. Doing so however also raises questions and reasonings that quite frankly they would rather go away. An example of this is below from the 1955 watchtower. Please read it and then my comments.
Watchtower 1 /1 1955:

Courageously and vigorously Jehovah’s surviving remnant of anointed witnesses took hold of the task of restoring true worship, genuine Christianity, which had been overshadowed by Babylonish false religious thinking from the time the last of Jesus’ apostles died, about A.D. 100. The collective system of Christendom’s apostate clergy, as the “man of lawlessness,” had long kept the peoples in gross darkness. Though Jehovah’s people from the 1870’s to 1918 had gradually changed over much of their basic religious thinking from the corrupt teachings of the Babylonish religion of apostate nominal churches, yet to a great degree they still were held in restraint by tainted bonds of false conceptions and practices inherited from the pagan traditions adopted by Christendom. For example, up to and including their 1918 troubles these witnesses of the Most High God still trusted excessively in so-called “character development,” indulged in considerable creature worship, accepted earthly political governments as the “superior authorities” ordained of God (Rom. 13:1, NW), and thus were held in fear of man, particularly civil rulers. Also they celebrated some pagan holidays, such as Christmas, they used the symbol of the cross as a sign of Christian devotion, the name of Jehovah they had in the background, and organizationally they continued to practice the democratic style of local congregational government. Generally, everyone did what was considered right in his own eyes. The gathering together of the anointed ones under the Watch Tower Society from many parts of the earth in those days resulted in a loose association of Christians longing for still greater restorations.
In 1919 and thereafter all this began to change for a brilliant, divinely blessed future. The anointed witnesses as a loosely united community came to life again after the almost fatal blow from the Gentile governments in 1914-1918, the facts of which were fully examined in our previous part (8) of this history. As a restored Christian community they immediately confessed their sins of compromising, also their taints of false religion. They repented of their former course, expressed a desire to change their ways and prayed for Jehovah’s forgiveness. Organizationally they remembered their sins, such as compromisingly cutting out pages 247-253 of The Finished Mystery, their seventh volume of Studies in the Scriptures, to please would-be censors, The Watch Tower encouraging its readers to set aside May 30, 1918, as a day of prayer and supplication as requested by the American Congress on April 2 and as proclaimed by President Wilson May 11, their tendering of compliments to governments of this world, and their dabbling in nonreligious enterprises. As a body they confessed, “We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.” “Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not Jehovah? he against whom we have sinned, and in whose ways they would not walk, neither were they obedient unto his law.” (Ps. 106:6; Isa. 42:24, AS) The stirring Watch Tower articles of August 1 and 15, 1919, entitled “Blessed Are the Fearless,” dispelled the grip of the “fear of man” restraining the faithful remnant and they began to go forth as a forgiven people, a cleansed organization, a new nation freed from the Devil’s old-world organization. They rejoiced that now the brief interval of Jehovah’s displeasure was ended, that his anger was turned away from them, and that their service to him in the future would be acceptable

On the surface this seems very humble, even slightly contrite, acknowledging that although they had done so much they were still tainted with things like Christmas. They point to 1919 as the time of change. This time was of course from when Rutherford and his companions were released from prison in 1919 and began rebuilding the faith. The release from prison is seen as the 'sign' that Jesus had chosen!

So, that means that 1914 to the time of imprisionment in 1918 was the inspection period. It was the things Jesus saw in that time that convinced him to choose the bible students above all others. We have already seen that there actually was no difference in the 4 crucial things offered as 'proofs' by the Witnesses. This brings me to looking further at what the above 1955 article is refering to, the wrong things that they were still bound to.

During the 'inspection time' the International Bible students also:

Predicted that Armageddon would occur in 1914 (Zion's Watch Tower 1894 July 15):

CAN IT BE DELAYED UNTIL 1914?
Seventeen years ago people said, concerning the time features presented in MILLENNIAL
DAWN, They seem reasonable in many respects, but surely no such radical changes could occur
between now and the close of 1914: if you had proved that they would come about in a
century or two, it would seem much more probable.
What changes have since occurred, and what velocity is gained daily! "The old is quickly passing, and the new is coming in." Now, in view of recent labor troubles and threatened anarchy, our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They say that they do not see how present conditions can hold out so long under the strain. We see no reason for changing the figures-- nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God's dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble. We see no reason for changing from our opinion expressed in the View
presented in the WATCH TOWER of Jan. 15, '92. We advise that it be read again. The date of the close of that "battle" is definitely marked in Scripture as October, 1914.

President C.T. Russell was basing teachings on the Pyramids of Egypt. A teaching not changed until 1929! (Watchtower 1881).

It has an entrance passage downward to a pit representing the "broad road to destruction." From this a passage starts upward-- representing the Law dispensation. This in due time enlarges and becomes a "grand gallery," seven times as high, still leading upward, representing the Gospel Age. Thirty-three inches from the beginning of the grand gallery R224 : page 6
is a well, representing the death and resurrection of Jesus. From this well there is another downward passage-way which connects with the entrance passage near the pit, and seems to
teach the restoration of all R225 : page 6 men from the "horrible pit" of death, through and on account of Jesus' death.
The "grand gallery" measures 1874 inches long at the top, 1878 inches long at a groove cut in its sides about midway between bottom and top and 1881 inches, at the bottom. (The upper end
wall impends or slants forward). Now notice how aptly these three distinct dates (1874, 1878,1881,) are marked by the pyramid, in ending the grand gallery, and see how ably it supports the teaching of the Bible, viz: that the gospel favors and privileges have been ending during these seven years--and will entirely cease this year. Two other ways, in which the Pyramid corroborates scripture, are these: At the top of the "grand gallery"-- just where it
measures 1874 inches, there is an opening or passage-way which seems to say, something might go out or come in here. For some time we thought this might represent the "change," or
catching away of the church as spiritual beings; but it would have been due in 1874 and no translation took place; then it must mean something else. It seems very plain and clear to us
now that that opening can mean nothing else than what the Prophets have taught us, viz: that there the Bridegroom came a spiritual being. It fits, as all the other parts of that wonderful
structure fit and harmonize with the Word. Secondly, we are claiming that our Lord's presence here, is to be to many in the nominal church "a stone of stumbling," and this too finds its illustration in the Pyramid, for at the upper end of the "Grand gallery" a huge block of stone juts out into the pathway and further progress becomes impossible, unless the traveler climbs with difficulty to its level. So we find it; many are stumbling, and the progress of all seems to depend on their recognizing the present one.


Watchtower jan 1915: SERIES III.,

"Thy Kingdom Come," considers prophecies
which mark events connected with the "Time of the End,"
the glorification of the Church and the establishment of the
Millennial Kingdom; it also contains a chapter on the Great
Pyramid, showing its corroboration of the dates and other
teachings of the Bible: 384 pages, in embossed cloth, 35c. (1s.
6d.) India paper edition, 75c. (3s. 1-1/2d.)

Right through to his death, Russell was teaching this. The teaching of the pyramid was taken as truth for another 13 years under Rutherford and was not abandoned until 1929.

They celebrated Christmas, New Years and birthdays. Still celebrating Christmas in 1926!

As early as 1881, the watchtower was telling its readers that christmas was a renamed pagan celebration. In 1904 they still promoted it in the watchtower of Dec 1 1904 Russell wrote:

Even though Christmas is not the real anniversary of our Lord's birth, but more properly the annunciation day or the date of his human begetting (Luke 1:28), nevertheless, since the celebration of our Lord's birth is not a matter of divine appointment or injunction, but merely a tribute of respect to him, it is not necessary for us to quibble particularly about the date. We may as well join with the civilized world in celebrating the grand event on the day which the majority celebrate - "Christmas day."

However they still celebrated it as late as 1926. What an interesting old photo this is:

Caption: Bethel Xmas Morning 1926.

They prayed for victory in war and honored the flag.-[ Watchtower 1918 June 1 p.174;
Watchtower may 15 1917:
DISPLAYING THE AMERICAN FLAG
Suppose the city or state officials should issue an order requiring, or even requesting, that all persons display the American flag. What should we do? We answer, We think it would be right to display the flag in obedience to such order or request. The American flag was adopted as an emblem of liberty. It is the national emblem. While some have insisted that it now represents war, this is hardly in keeping with the facts. It may represent war to those who desire war, but to those who love liberty and peace, the flag represents liberty and peace. However that may be, the displaying of the American flag can do injury to no one. If commanded or requested to display the flag, it should be done, out of respect to the Government under which it is the privilege of Christians to live. If an American was the guest of the British. Government and
was requested to display the British flag and refused to do so, it would be showing disrespect to the British Government, his host. If a Christian, who is an alien amongst all earthly governments, should, while journeying amongst them, be requested to display a flag of the country whose benefits he is enjoying, and refuse to do so, such refusal would be failing to show the proper respect to such government. Recognizing that the Government of the United States has been the special refuge of Christian people from intolerable persecution; that it was founded as an asylum of religious liberty and freedom of speecb, every one in America should take pleasure in displaying the American flag---especially when requested to do so. It does not mean that by putting a flag on your house you would want to go to war.

Since the Bethel Home was established, in one end of the Drawing Room there has been kept a small bust of Abraham Lincoln with two American flags displayed about the bust. This is deemed entirely proper, having in mind what Mr. Lincoln did for the Government and for the people of the United States, and in this we see nothing inconsistent with a Christian’s duty.

They taught that the white race was superior and blacks could change their skin color in the new system.-[Watchtower July 15 1902 p.215;Watchtower 1904 February 15 pp.52-53]
Supported the league of nations in 1919;

Watchtower, Vol. 7, February 15, 1919, page 6389, par. 2.

"We cannot but admire the high principles embodied in the proposed League of Nations, formulated undoubtedly by those who have no knowledge of the great plan of God. This fact makes all the more wonderful the ideals which they express. For instance, it has been made plain by President Wilson and the advocates of his ideas that the proposed League of Nations is more than merely a league to enforce peace. They would not have us consider it to exclusively from the standpoint of politics or of military relations. It should be considered as fully from the economic and social points of view. The President's idea seems to be that the League of Nations which he proposes would stand for world service rather than mere world regulation in the military sense, and that the very smallest of nations shall be participants in its every arrangement. In other words, his idea undoubtedly is that the league shall not be established merely for the purpose of promoting peace by threat or coercion; but that its purpose, when put into operation, will be to make all nations of earth one great family, working together for the common benefit in all the avenues of national life. Truly this is idealistic, and approximates in a small way that which God has foretold that he will bring about after this great time of trouble."

In the above issue, the Organization publicly admired the principles of the proposed league. They then had the audacity to critisize the Federal council of churches of christ for supporting it 4 months later!

They served in the military. Not changed till 1939!

Zion's Watch Tower 1898 Aug. 1 p.231: (see also jv p.191)]

Question. I was surprised to note your advice to any who might be drafted into the army. Would not your advice seem like compromising to avoid trouble?
Answer. It is proper to avoid trouble in a proper manner. It is proper to compromise when no principle is involved, as in the case mentioned. Notice that there is no command in theScriptures against military service. Obedience to a draft would remind us of our Lord's words, "If any man compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." The government may compel marching or drilling, but cannot compel you to kill the foe. You need not be a good marksman.
Question. You suggested in a recent WATCH TOWER that, if drafted and in the army, we need not shoot to kill. Would such a course be right? Would it not be fraudulent?
Answer. No; it would be quite right to shoot, not to kill. You forget, perhaps, our provisos, which were that we explain our conscientious scruples against war, and seek to be excused; if not excused, that we seek non-combatant positions, as nurses, etc.; but if compelled to go a mile or many miles as a soldier, we still need not kill anybody.

Proclaimers page 191:
as World War II gathered momentum in Europe, a significant article in The Watchtower of November 1, 1939, helped them to appreciate the meaning of Christian neutrality. Followers of Jesus Christ, the article stated, are obligated before God to be wholly devoted to him and his Kingdom, the Theocracy. Their prayers should be for God’s Kingdom, not for the world. (Matt. 6:10, 33) In the light of what Jesus Christ disclosed as to the identity of the invisible ruler of the world (John 12:31; 14:30), the article reasoned, how could a person who is devoted to God’s Kingdom favor one side or the other in a conflict between factions of the world? Had not Jesus said of his followers: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world”? (John 17:16)

So, when Jesus inspected them in the war years it was still fine to be in the armed forces! In fact it was not until 20 years later that they changed their minds.

These present a challenge to the reasoning of the Jehovah's Witnesses in 4 ways:

1) If the teachings were correct then in 1919, when Jesus chose the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, Jesus would have to abandon them now because their belief system is totally reversed. Almost ALL of the teachings, understandings and dates of C.T.Russell that Jesus must have approved of in 1919 were abandoned after J.F.Rutherford took over.
2) If the teachings are correct now, they were therefore wrong then, and thus Jesus could not have chosen them back in 1919.
3) KA book cpt 11:
...the remnant of the “chaste virgin” class looked ahead with intensifying interest to that critical date, October 1, 1914. These were a class of Christians separated from this unclean world and fully “consecrated” to God through Christ, and they had symbolized their “consecration” to God by water immersion.
If they were separated from the unclean world as of 1914, how was it that jesus accepted them in 1919 when they were still part of the worldly uncleaness? The christmas, birthdays,armed service, league of nations, Pyramids, the flag. Why, if Jesus had accepted them BY 1914, did they need to cleanse themselves later?

4) The Watchtower society taught that they were already chosen back in 1875! From the finished mystery page 344:

"THE WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY is the greatest corporation in the world, because from the time of its organization until now the lord has used it as his channel through which to make known the glad tidings". And when was it incorporated? 1875! So, did the 'lord' choose them in 1875? If so there was no need for Jesus to choose them in 1919. If he had to choose them in 1919 then they were lying in the 1917 book. Jesus would not choose a religion that lies would he?

It was not until the 1929 book 'prophecy' by J.F.Rutherford that it was mentioned as the year of choosing. Rutherford was in fact gearing up to change the name of the bible students to 'Jehovah's Witnesses. In his revisionist look into the past, he needed a year and event he could tie in to assure the 'friends' of God's blessing on them all. The year was 1918/19 and the event was his imprisionment and release 10 years before.

Now, i don't care what answer you have as to the changes or the reasons for them, new light, whatever. IT DOES NOT MATTER.

The Watchtower Society cannot have it both ways. They can't have been chosen in 1875 and 1919. They can't have been right in 1919 and then change beliefs. They can't be right now and have been chosen in 1919.

Sorry kids, you have been lied to.