JWs' Battle of Armageddon: Truth, Bang, or A Bust?
The JWs have declared several dates for the "Battle of Armageddon". From JW's Literature, falsehoods, miscalculations, and unfulfilled prophecy. See below what I am talking about -failed dates for the battle of Armageddon:
- Zion’s Wt, 1/15/1892, pg 1355, reprint -- ...“battle” is definitely marked in Scripture as October, 1914.
- The Time is at Hand, 1908, pg 101 --- ...the “battle of the great day of God Almighty” (Rev.16:14) which will end in A.D. 1914, with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced.
- The Finished Mystery, 1917, pg 398, 399, 485
- -- the people who are the strength of Christendom shall be cut off in the brief but terribly eventful period beginning in 1918 A.D. A third part are “burned with fire in the mist of the city.”
- .....After 1918 the people supporting churchianity will cease to be its, supporters, be destroyed as adherents,
- ...Also in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church members by the millions...
- Millions now Living Will Never Die, 1920, pg. 89, 90 -- Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old...."
- Vindication 1, 1931, pg 146, 338, 339 --
- ...years 1914,1918 and 1925
- ..... they also learned to quit fixing dates for the future and predicting what would come to pass on certain dates....
- Informant, May 1940 -- The year 1940 is certain to be the most important year yet because Armageddon is very near.
- Wt, 9/15/1941, pg 288 -- ...in the remaining months before Armageddon.
- Wt, 5/1/1968, pg 273 -- Chart of dates 1975 end of 6th 1000-year day...2975 end of 7th 1000-year day....
- Aw, 1/22/1969, pg 16 -- Other Bible prophecies clearly foretell God’s purpose to bring this wicked system to an end in a few years.
- Aw, 5/22/1969, pg 15 -- If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. .....all evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. ....as a young person you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in high school and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone!
- Wt, 10/15/1969, pg 622, 623 -- ...seventh millennium from man’s creation by Jehovah God would begin in less than ten years.
- The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah, 1971, pg 216 -- Shortly, within our twentieth century, the "battle in the day if Jehovah" will begin against modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom.
- Wt, 1/1/1989, pg 12 -- The apostle Paul was spearheading the Christian missionary activity. He was also laying a foundation for a work that would be completed in our 20th century. (This quote was later changed in the WT bound volume to: He was also laying a foundation for a work that would be completed in our day.)
- In 2010 the generation of 1914 that would not pass away has changed to overlapping generations.
@BroRando, are you aware of this? How could you continue to believe and teach others religious chaff of a biblically pure prophecy? Are you concerned about your and the organization's credibility? CM
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It sounds like a bust! A plethora of religious confusion. CM
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The third and final 40 year refinement period began in 2015 with a plethora of understanding to the regards of the overlapping generation about 'this generation'. In the early weeks of January, 2015, at one of our midweek meetings. A Brother quietly and calmly walked up to the podium and stated, "New partakers that start partaking are not part of 'this generation'. With that 10 second announcement my eyebrows raised and thinking to myself that those anointed sometime after 1992 or 1995 are not contemporaries of those alive whom saw Christ Presence take place in 1914. Then for clarification, Brother David H. Splane gave the explanation in the video titled, "Close to the End of This System of Things".
From article: Jehovah's Organization and the three 40 year refinement periods of 1935-1975-2015
"...they will have to know that I am Jehovah when I bring my vengeance on them." (Ezekiel 25:17)
Soon, all the inhabitants of the earth will have to know God's Name Jehovah. "I will not allow my holy name to be profaned any longer; and the nations will have to know that I am Jehovah" (Ezekiel 39:7)
The refinement periods of 40 years are a repeated pattern throughout the scriptures that are often applied to God's People. The first pattern was applied to all the inhabited earth in 1914. The 40 year pattern thrice (1935-1975-2015) can be applied to Jehovah's Organization! It's during this period that specific and overlapping refinement periods can be applied. Jehovah is a God of order and not one of chaos. (1 Corinthians 14:33) As Jehovah's Wintesses, we have been experiencing thrilling blessings of deeper understandings of Jehovah's Word through our Wonderful Governing Body! These ones are poised for their Hevenly Reward when Jesus summons them! Truly a Momentous time...
There are many refinement periods, but I will speak of the ones about the anointed and great crowd that will be ushered into Christ Millennial Reign. In 1919, the faithful and discreet slave of anointed ones were chosen to take the lead of God's People upon the earth and bring a Public Announcement of Denunciation upon Babylon The Great. The time period for this can easily be obtained by applying the three 40 year periods. (1919 + 120 =2039) We know the anointed do not live on earth indefinitely, each anointed person must finish their earthly course successfully to realize their heavenly reward. Today, we know that Babylon the Great is on borrowed time, she has been on fire and burning since 1919. Each year that gets closer to 2039, we SEE the nations growing agitated with her as she cannot bring prosperity and peace to the Earthly Kings. Rather, she has embezzled luxury and riches from her suitor. It's not likely she will survive 2039 but come to her end, never to be found again.
In 1930 the Bible Students took on the name 'Jehovah's Witnesses' as God's Organization upon the earth. Jehovah's Organization entered into three refinement periods since 1935. In 1935 we entered into a New Era. *** w15 2/15 p. 32 “A Very Precious Season” ***
"The year 1935 marked a dramatic change that affected future Memorial observances, for the meaning of the “great multitude” (KJ), or “great crowd,” of Revelation 7:9 was clarified. Until then, Jehovah’s servants had viewed this group as consecrated Christians who were less zealous. Now this vast throng was identified as faithful worshippers who hope to live on a paradise earth. Following this clarification and after some careful self-examination, Russell Poggensee acknowledged: “The heavenly hope had not been awakened within me by Jehovah through his holy spirit.” Brother Poggensee—and many loyal ones like him—stopped partaking of the emblems but continued to attend the Memorial."
The book Life Everlasting—In Freedom of the Sons of God, released at a series of district conventions held in 1966, pointed to 1975. Right at the convention, as the brothers examined the contents, the new book triggered much discussion about 1975.
At the convention held in Baltimore, Maryland, F. W. Franz gave the concluding talk. He began by saying: “Just before I got on the platform a young man came to me and said, ‘Say, what does this 1975 mean?’” Brother Franz then referred to the many questions that had arisen as to whether the material in the new book meant that by 1975 Armageddon would be finished, and Satan would be bound. He stated, in essence:
‘It could. But we are not saying. All things are possible with God. But we are not saying. And don’t any of you be specific in saying anything that is going to happen between now and 1975. But the big point of it all is this, dear friends: Time is short. Time is running out, no question about that.’
- The third and final 40 year refinement period began in 2015 with a plethora of understanding to the regards of the overlapping generation about 'this generation'. In the early weeks of January, 2015, at one of our midweek meetings. A Brother quietly and calmly walked up to the podium and stated, "New partakers that start partaking are not part of 'this generation'. With that 10 second announcement my eyebrows raised and thinking to myself that those anointed sometime after 1992 or 1995 are not contemporaries of those alive whom saw Christ Presence take place in 1914. Then for clarification, Brother David H. Splane gave the explanation in the video titled, "Close to the End of This System of Things".
From this point on, we can start emphasizing these two scriptures in this manner.
"... and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)
"... and from these turn away. " (2 Timothy 3:5)
Why? The last refinement phase began in 2015 and is 40 years in length whether you want to believe it or not as we approach Christ Millennial Reign. To add credence to the final hour in 2015, the United Nations announced their 2030 Agenda in 2015. Walk by Faith and not by Sight..... be faithful to your End.
Sealing of the anointed. (33 CE to 2033 CE)
The Wicked begin dying the second death. (1914 +120 =2034)
Anointed Collected and Babylon Destroyed. (1919 + 120 =2039)
Jehovah's Life Force and Blessings applied to his sheep. (1935 + 120 =2055)
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@Brother Rando August 18 The third and final 40 year refinement period began in 2015 with a plethora of understanding to the regards of the overlapping generation about 'this generation'. In the early weeks of January, 2015, at one of our midweek meetings. A Brother quietly and calmly walked up to the podium and stated, "New partakers that start partaking are not part of 'this generation'. With that 10 second announcement my eyebrows raised and thinking to myself that those anointed sometime after 1992 or 1995 are not contemporaries of those alive whom saw Christ Presence take place in 1914.
Britannica biography about Charles Taze Russell includes 'Christ's "invisible return" had occurred in 1874', which was 40 years before 1914 =>
With the help of tutors, Russell managed to master the use of Hebrew and Greek dictionaries to study the Bible, and he formed his first Bible classes in 1872. With N.H. Barbour of Rochester, N.Y., Russell published Three Worlds and the Harvest of the World in 1877. Basing his judgment on complex biblical calculations, he preached from 1877 that Christ’s “invisible return” had occurred in 1874 and that the end of the Gentile times and the beginning of a golden age would come in 1914, followed by war between capitalism and communism or socialism, after which God’s kingdom by Christ would rule the earth. Russell dedicated his life and his fortune to preaching Christ’s millennial reign. In 1879 he started a Bible journal, later called The Watch Tower, and in 1884 he founded the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, which became an extensive publishing business. His own books and booklets (notably seven volumes of Studies in the Scriptures) reached a circulation of 16 million copies in 35 languages, and 2,000 newspapers published his weekly sermons. He was president of the society until his death.
Internet search of site:jw.org "Charles Taze Russell" found many results, including the 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, whose Part 1 - United States of America includes an expanded biography of Charles Taze Russell, which confirmed the Britannica biographical summary: e.g.
In 1877, Barbour and Russell jointly published Three Worlds, and the Harvest of This World. This 196-page book combined information about Restitution with Biblical time prophecies. It presented the view that Jesus Christ’s invisible presence and a forty-year period opening with a three-and-a-half-year harvest dated from the autumn of 1874.
Very noteworthy was the striking accuracy with which that book pointed to the end of the Gentile Times, “the appointed times of the nations.” (Luke 21:24) It showed (on pages 83 and 189) that this 2,520-year period, during which Gentile or non-Jewish nations would rule the earth without interference by any kingdom of God, began with the Babylonian overthrow of the kingdom of Judah in the late seventh century B.C.E. and would end in 1914 C.E. Even earlier, however, C. T. Russell wrote an article entitled “Gentile Times: When Do They End?” It was published in the Bible Examiner of October 1876, and therein Russell said: “The seven times will end in A.D. 1914.” He had correctly linked the Gentile Times with the “seven times” mentioned in the book of Daniel. (Dan. 4:16, 23, 25, 32) True to such calculations, 1914 did mark the end of those times and the birth of God’s kingdom in heaven with Christ Jesus as king. Just think of it! Jehovah granted his people that knowledge nearly four decades before those times expired.
If Gentile Times had ended in 1914 C.E. (or in the autumn of 1874), then the Watchtower Society would have had no more people to convert anywhere.
To me, JW.org (Watchtower Society) is uncredible due to many prophetic date failures, which proves the Watchtower Society is NOT the correct communication channel with Holy יהוה Lord אלהים God in heaven.
Keep Smiling 😊
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@Keep_Smiling_4_Jesus United Allied States (UAS) => https://uas.govt.agency First Presidential Election is Thu 30 July 2020, the 9th of Av 5780 whose history includes Holy Temple destruction in Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 3336 (423 BCE) and by the Romans in 3829 (69 CE).
United States of America (USA) constitution Article VI includes "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; " so a treaty approved by the USA President and two-thirds of USA senators present becomes supreme law in the USA. UAS Mutually Beneficial Collaboration "is accomplished by the signing of an energy treaty between the UAS and a partnering nation."
Also noted USA executive order on 2 Jun 2020 about "International Religious Freedom" => https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-advancing-international-religious-freedom/
False Prophet Catholic Church claims Only Peace comes from Satan's Political Systems. Soon to be destroyed at Armageddon! "And I saw three unclean inspired expressions (voices) that looked like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the wild beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet." (Rev 16:13)
@Keep_Smiling_4_Jesus United Allied States (UAS) => https://uas.govt.agency First Presidential Election is Thu 30 July 2020, the 9th of Av 5780 whose history includes Holy Temple destruction in Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 3336 (423 BCE) and by the Romans in 3829 (69 CE).
Last news item from United Allied States (UAS) was 3 August 2020: announcement of first president (thus far insignificant).
🤒Personal lesson learned (with embarassment) was the web site where had initially learned about UAS lacks reliability about future
They are, in fact, expressions inspired by demons and they perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty. (Rev 16:14)
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@Brother Rando August 27 False Prophet Catholic Church claims Only Peace comes from Satan's Political Systems. Soon to be destroyed at Armageddon!
Your assertion about the Roman Catholic Church may be factual (seems unrelated to UAS quotes). I seem to remember reading a human view about the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church being the false prophet described in Revelation 16.
@Brother Rando August 27 "And I saw three unclean inspired expressions (voices) that looked like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the wild beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet." (Rev 16:13)
@Brother Rando August 27 They are, in fact, expressions inspired by demons and they perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty. (Rev 16:14)
Context of verses 13 & 14 is the seven bowls of wrath, which are described in Revelation 16:1-21 LEB (with Hebrew words usually translated by Jewish scholars in LXX: יהוה as Lord & אלהים as God) =>
And I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of אלהים God.”
And the first went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and there was an evil and painful sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.
And the second poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood, like that of a dead person, and every living thing that was in the sea died.
And the third poured out his bowl on the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying,
“You are righteous, the one who is and the one who was, the Holy One, because you have judged these things, because they have poured out the blood of the saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink; they are deserving!”
And I heard the altar saying,
“Yes, יהוה Lord אלהים God All-Powerful, true and righteous are your judgments.”
And the fourth poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was granted to it to burn up people with fire. And people were burned up by the great heat, and they blasphemed the name of אלהים God who has the authority over these plagues, and they did not repent to give him glory.
And the fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened, and they began chewing their tongues because of the pain. And they blasphemed the אלהים God of heaven because of their pain and because of their sores, and they did not repent of their deeds.
And the sixth poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, in order that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east. And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are the spirits of demons performing signs that go out to the kings of the whole inhabited world, to gather them for the battle of the great day of אלהים God the All-Powerful.
(Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is on the alert and who keeps his clothing, so that he does not walk around naked and they see his shamefulness!)
And he gathered them to the place called in Hebrew Armageddon.
And the seventh poured out his bowl on the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were lightnings and sounds and thunders, and there was a great earthquake, as has not happened from the time humanity has been on the earth — so great in this way was the earthquake. And the great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And Babylon the great was remembered before אלהים God, to give her the cup of the wine of his furious wrath. And every island fled, and mountains were not found. And large hailstones, weighing about a hundred pounds, came down from the sky upon people, and the people blasphemed אלהים God because of the plague of hail, because the plague of it was very great.
Reading about the second & third bowls of wrath sadly reminded me of the gut wrenching stench along the Oder river in Europe a couple weeks ago (as thousands of fish, snails, ... died). Water in seas, springs, & rivers being turned to blood will cause more aquatic deaths (definitely not a paradise on earth).
To me, the Holy One described by the angel of the waters: “You are righteous, the one who is and the one who was, the Holy One, because you have judged these things, because they have poured out the blood of the saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink; they are deserving!” reminds me of Isaiah 47:4 LEB => Our redeemer, יהוה Yahweh of hosts is his name, the holy one of Israel.
How did demons describe יהוה Salvation (Jesus) in Luke 4:33-37 LEB (with Hebrew word usually translated by Jewish scholars in LXX: אלהים as God) =>
And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! Leave us alone, Jesus the Nazarene! Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of אלהים God!”
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!”
And after throwing him down in their midst, the demon came out of him without hurting him at all. And amazement came upon them all, and they began to talk with one another, saying, “What word is this? For he commands the unclean spirits with authority and power, and they come out!” And news about him went out into every place of the surrounding region.
Righteous Holy One is consistent with Melchizedek (King Righteous) and the last two Hebrew words יהוה צדקנו in Jeremiah 23:6 having literal meaning " יהוה of Righteousness we "
All humans on earth gathered to the Battle of Armageddon intensely blaspheme (hate) the אלהים God of heaven, which would include WatchTower Society (JW.org) believers along with anyone who refused to choose repentence from their sins & did not want יהוה Salvation (Jesus) to be their Holy יהוה Lord אלהים God. Every human chooses what to ❤️ love most, which is truly known by " יהוה of Righteousness we ".
Thankfully יהוה Yahweh of hosts (Jesus) is my redeemer, who has forgiven me from my sins & whose Holy blood has cleansed me from unrighteousness along with my intense desire now to Be Holy as אלהים God is Holy. Thankfully Holy יהוה Lord אלהים God is answering my prayers 🙏 to help me ❤️ Love Holy יהוה Lord אלהים God with all of my heart (emotional), all of my mind (mental), all of my soul (social), & all of my strength (physical) so I can worship Holy יהוה Lord אלהים God (spiritual).
Keep Smiling 😋
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"As early as in the year 1876, in an article that he submitted for publishing in The Bible Examiner, the president had pointed forward to 1914 as the date for “the times of the Gentiles” to end, with serious consequences for the whole world of mankind."
Back in 1876, only a few people were listening. A good number left his Bible study group. However, has time was getting closer then more started to gain understanding. In the Bible Students Monthly, on January, 1914, Brother Russell wrote: "'The Earth Abideth Forever' Christ will not return to Earth as a Man - Present Year Believed to Mark Great Change of Dispensation, but World May not discern Immediate Difference."
"Our Lord, in describing His Second Presence, clearly indicated that it would be unnoticed by the world until the cataclysm of trouble should come. Thus He likened the earlier days of His presence to that period before the Flood, when the world, unconscious of the impending catastrophe, continued to build, eat and drink as usual, and knew not. So, says the Master, it will be in the end of this Age. Eating, drinking, building, planting and marrying will proceed as usual; and the world will not know that they are in the PRESENCE of the Son of Man."
And we seen evidence of this even in 2022 on this very board. They reject and deny that the Last Days have begun. When we preach and let people know we are now at the end of this period, people scoff and ridicule us, majority of those being religious hypocrites! Denying the very Name of JEHOVAH or sat idly by while apostates were slandering.
Notice he didn't write Second Coming, but rather 'Second Presence'? Brother Russell was speaking of Christ's PAROUSIA--PRESENCE. He continues, "The Bible nowhere tells that Jesus took the human nature to keep it forever, and to return with it to Heaven, where it would be completely out of order and out of place. The Bible teaches, on the contrary, that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God" (1 Cor 15:50); and that Jesus was made flesh merely 'that He, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man' (Heb 2:9) and that after doing this work He would "ascend up where He was before." (John 6:62) The great Day of Trouble, noted throughout the Scriptures as the Time of Trouble such as never was since there was a nation, will come upon them suddenly."
