The Governing Body continues to cling to flawed prophetic understanding concerning 1914, as the latest Watchtower shows
The Governing Body continues to cling to its flawed prophetic understanding concerning 1914

The day is Sunday 28 June, 1914. A car takes a wrong turn down a street in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

As the driver backs up, a bystander approaches. He pulls out a pistol, and shoots the couple sitting on the passenger seat. Both die within minutes. The assassin’s name was Gavrillo Princip, and his victims were Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie.

This single incident set off a chain of events that would ultimately lead to two world wars and a long and bitter cold war. Millions would die from the anarchy and chaos that would ensue once the powder keg of Europe had been ignited by this simple spark.

But apart from the far-reaching ramifications on world history and politics, the events on that fateful day would also breathe life into a hitherto innocuous Bible group in America – blowing a gust of wind into its otherwise lifeless sails that would propel it well into the next century.

Without the events of 1914, the success of Russell's bible student movement would have been jeopardized
Without the events of 1914, the success of Russell’s bible student movement would have been jeopardized

I refer, of course, to the Bible Students under Charles Taze Russell, who were to later morph into what we know today as Jehovah’s Witnesses. If the start of World War I had not coincided with 1914, then quite possibly that religion (and this website) would not exist.

It was the fact that something of significance happened in that year that enabled Russell and his associates to claim that their predictions had not been a complete failure. 1914 would thus become an anchor point in Witness teachings around which an entire religion could be built for decades to follow.

We now sit on the cusp of 2014. As 1914 slips deeper into the fog of history, you would expect the Watch Tower Society to begin quietly distancing itself from that year. But quite the opposite is happening. The Governing Body recently unveiled a revision to its New World Translation which enshrined 1914 as a year of significance in its appendix. And more recently still, a new Watchtower study magazine has been released that mentions 1914 no less than 18 times (excluding the questions).

To download the magazine, please click here.

When reading this latest magazine the impression is given that a person would need to be stupid not to reach the same conclusions as Jehovah’s Witnesses regarding the year 1914.

“Because we regularly study God’s Word, we can see that prophecy is being fulfilled right now. What a contrast with people in general! They are so involved in their lives and pursuits that they overlook the clear evidence that Christ has been ruling since 1914 and will soon bring God’s judgment.” – w14 1/15 p.28

“As one writer states: ‘The world of 1914 was full of hope and promise.’ With the outbreak of World War I later that year, however, Bible prophecy came true. The subsequent famines, earthquakes, and pestilences as well as the fulfillment of other Bible prophecies proved conclusively that Jesus Christ had begun to rule in heaven as King of God’s Kingdom in 1914.” – w14 1/15 p.13

This sneering and bullish refusal to let go of the 1914 teaching permeates the entire magazine. Great pride is taken in the fact that “the Bible Students spent decades pointing out that the year 1914 would be significant.” (page 12)

Significant in what respect? Precisely WHAT did Russell and his associates expect to happen in that year? To find out, let us consult some words penned by Russell in his second volume of Studies In The Scriptures, published in 1906…

Taken from page 101 of Studies In the Scriptures Vol. II, published in 1906
Taken from page 101 of Studies In the Scriptures Vol. II, published in 1906

 

Watchtower gives a misleading portrayal of Russell's expectations for 1914
Watchtower gives a misleading portrayal of Russell’s expectations for 1914

As can be clearly seen from the above, Russell expected 1914 to mark, not the beginning, but the END of Armageddon. He further claimed that Christ had already started ruling invisibly in 1878.

Were these claims put forward as innocent suggestions on a “take it or leave it” basis? No. Russell considered the imminence of Armageddon back then as “plainly visible” from the Bible’s standpoint. And yet notice how the latest Watchtower describes pre-1914 expectations…

They were not completely sure about what would happen. Still, they knew that 1914 would mark a turning point regarding divine rulership.” – w14 1/15 p.28

It is impossible to read those words and identify them with the certainty with which Russell propounded his specific expectations for 1914. Consider two more of his quotes from pre-1914, and notice the conviction with which these statements are made…

“The date of the close of that ‘battle’ is definitely marked in Scripture as October, 1914. It is already in progress, its beginning dating from October, 1874.” – Watchtower reprints, January 15, 1892, p.1355

“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.” – Watchtower reprints, July 15, 1894, p. 1677

For more similar quotes, please click here.

By claiming that Russell and his associates were not “completely sure” about what would happen in 1914, Watchtower is re-writing its own history. And not for the first time either. The publications show that Russell WAS totally convinced of what would happen in 1914 – he just turned out to be wrong. And he died in 1916 before he could see just how wrong he was.

Sticking to the plan

But where does all this leave the Governing Body of 2013?

Well, as the 100-year anniversary of October 4/5 1914 (Tishri 15) looms ever closer, they are presented with two options. They can either begin distancing themselves from 1914 and start to hint at “new light” as to when Christ’s heavenly rule began, OR they can stick rigidly with a year that has all but vanished into the distant past. The fact that the Governing Body has adopted the latter course indicates to me that they are either bereft of imagination, or heavily deluded by their own Witness upbringing – or perhaps both.

!cid_BAFB031B-53B5-407C-82B4-ED9D208AFC39

But I struggle to find sympathy for the Governing Body’s situation. When presented with clear evidence that previous understandings have failed they SHOULD be humbly apologizing – not just for their error but for ruthlessly punishing any who disagree with their narrow interpretation of scripture. Instead they not only re-write their own history – they also chain themselves emphatically to a chronology that is already obsolete.

If the 1914 teaching were a beloved pet dog that died a long time ago, the Governing Body is a slightly deranged owner that takes it to the taxidermist, has it stuffed in a lifelike position, and places it prominently in his home – pretending it is still alive. That is how I would illustrate their preoccupation with this year. Any Witnesses who consider themselves loyal must demonstrate the same irrational devotion.

As an example, read the article “100 Years of Kingdom Rule – How Does It Affect You?” which attempts to invoke pride among Witnesses in the 1914 teaching. Consider the following timeline, which appears on pages 13 and 14…

Chart on pages 13 and 14 of the Watchtower 1/15 Study Edition
Chart on pages 13 and 14 of the Watchtower 1/15 Study Edition

 

The above timeline is clearly designed to impress Witnesses with the organization’s accomplishments since 1914 – and doubtless many will be won over. But when it is scrutinized objectively, things begin to unravel. For example, IF this is truly God’s organization and Christ has been guiding the organization as its head since 1919…

  • Why did it take 8 years for house-to-house work on Sundays to be organized?
  • Why did it take 19 years for ministerial servants to begin being appointed theocratically?
  • Why did it take 53 years for congregation oversight to be assigned to a body of elders?
  • And so on…

There is simply no justification, biblical or otherwise, as to why it would take Christ so very long to implement such rudimentary procedures. For example, it did not take years for Christ to organization his disciples to undertake a preaching tour of Israel, as we see in Matthew 10. But for some reason getting his chosen organization to start preaching on Sundays took Jesus 8 years!

I was also bemused by the part of the timeline that heralds 1976 as the year “the Governing Body is organized into six committees.” Why so?

As this website has already explained, the Governing Body only truly came into existence in the form we recognize it in 1971. It was in this year that it was decided that the spiritual leaders of Jehovah’s Witnesses should be distinct and separate from the board of directors of the Watch Tower Society.

The first true Governing Body in the 1970s remained under Knorr's control until 1976
The first true Governing Body in the 1970s remained under Knorr’s control until 1976

Fast forward five years, and 1976 didn’t just see the formation of the six Governing Body committees – it saw the powers of the President significantly reduced (much to Knorr’s protest, if you read Crisis of Conscience) so that the Governing Body could finally assume the power and prominence it enjoys today.

The timeline in this latest Watchtower is intended to gloss over all of this, and leave Witnesses with the impression that there has ALWAYS been a Governing Body directing them. But this simply isn’t true. Neither Charles Taze Russell nor Joseph Rutherford ever sat on any “governing body” where their personal views or wishes could be superseded by the views of the majority. That is simply not what we see through any objective analysis of Watchtower history.

I would rather not allow myself to become too diverted on this issue. Suffice to say you can find more information from the following sources, which I would highly recommend if you are at all unclear as to how long the Governing Body has been around in its current form…

Duping the next generation

The more I observe the Governing Body, the less I am surprised at their apparent inability to embrace substantive change – either doctrinally or procedurally.

Here we have a group of men who were under the organization’s spell for decades before they ascended to their current positions. They were chosen BECAUSE of their steadfast allegiance to the organization and to keeping the status quo. They are thus programmed to keep Knorr’s Watchtower of the 1950s ticking over smoothly rather than to help it reform and change with the times. We see this right down to their aversion to beards and insistence on forcing everyone to dress like an extra on “I Love Lucy.”

What I do find intolerable is the conceitedness of it all. Any who dare to say “maybe we got it wrong” is branded an apostate and punished in the worst possible way by being cut off from his or her JW family.

Equally troubling is the manner in which the Governing Body is voraciously pursuing the next generation of Witnesses, which I touched on in a previous article. This sadistic recruitment drive is in further evidence in the January Watchtower.

A chapter entitled “Making Wise Choices During Youth” drills home the idea that becoming a Witness is a necessity rather than a choice for young ones. The only choice available to them is how quickly and to what extent they will volunteer their time and skills to Watchtower’s benefit. “Each person must make his own choice how he will spend his life as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses,” declares page 18 paradoxically.

Watchtower wants older Witnesses to dupe the next generation into repeating their mistakes
Watchtower wants older Witnesses to dupe the next generation into repeating their mistakes

The follow-up chapter, entitled “Serving Jehovah Before the Days of Distress Come,” is targeted at the older generation of Witnesses. In reminding them of ways in which they can put their age and experience to good use, it suggests: “Could you invite younger servants of God to your home for some upbuilding association? Could you ask them to accompany you in the Christian ministry and show them the joy you experience in serving Jehovah?” (page 23)

In other words, “Yes, you threw away your career prospects and wasted decades believing our failed promises. Now, please make yourselves useful by encouraging the next generation to do the same.”

If you happen to receive a copy of the January 15th 2014, please do me a favor. Put it in a safe place – some place where it can lie undisturbed for many many years. Make sure your new revised Bible is equally safeguarded. Why? Because decades from now, when the Governing Body of the future is telling us that they never said they were “completely sure” that 1914 marked the beginning of Christ’s rule, I have a feeling you may find it useful.

 

John Cedars signature logo

 

 

 

 

Further reading…

Warm thanks to Vincent Deporter for contributing a cartoon for this article.

156 thoughts on “The 1914 Obsession: Watchtower clings to flawed teaching in first magazine of 2014

  • October 19, 2013 at 7:41 am
    Permalink

    The idea that “the universe has always existed” is a wrong assumption. It assumes that time operates independently from the universe. But Einstein showed that time is a property of the universe, the 4th dimension. Our material understanding of reality is confined to the four dimensions in which we exist. We only understand time within the context of that reality. From God’s standpoint, we have a narrow view of what “time” acutally means.

    Trying to explain God to an atheist is like trying to teach calculus to a dog. You can write equations on the blackboard all day long, and the dog might bark at you, but the dog will never understand. It’s beyond his intellectual capacity.

    That’s not to imply that atheists are dogs. The point is, God’s “eternal” existence is beyond the reasoning power of humans. It requires faith, which atheists lack.

  • October 19, 2013 at 8:28 am
    Permalink

    Mike there are two types of people. Some are independent, others want constant guidance. Does God hate the independent, considering them rebels? He gave us free will, so why would he? Both types have to meet the basic guidelines; no murder, no aldultery, etc. But within those quidelines, I think God allows a wide range of independence.

    The WT Bible study regimen is good, I don’t know of any better. But when the WT offers education/career advice, I take it with a grain of salt. It’s coming from men who need financial support to fund their full time preaching. If they had to get secular jobs and fund it themselves, they might be more humble with their advice.

    Do what’s best for you. Because in the end, every man or woman stands alone before God.

    • November 2, 2013 at 6:18 am
      Permalink

      I can but affirm with Johnny, “…in the end, every man or woman stands ALONE [my emphasis] before God.” From my personal and humble perspective, once a person realizes *this* basic *truth*, a mind-shift for the better is happening…

  • October 19, 2013 at 11:10 am
    Permalink

    Sure enough Hillary, because as they now “pocketed” themselves as the only slaves(!), and claiming that jesus will appoint them ( at least one of them, if the majority dies) at his “return”, we understand that 20 years from now is critical: jesus will need to find one or two of them still alive to be appointed! so considering these “anchovies” actual age, 2034 wont be a surprise.
    Note: no matter what, wishes are that may each one of them, celebrate his 120th birthday…in silence.

  • October 19, 2013 at 11:49 am
    Permalink

    @Mike
    I understand what you mean. Being taught that Armageddon is immenint for so long leaves scars.

  • October 19, 2013 at 11:57 am
    Permalink

    @johnny

    Don’t patronize me with your weak arguments and insult me with slights of intelligence.

    You claim that simply because atheists do not have an answer to the riddle of existence that your pathetic bronze-age myths hold triumphant? Foolishness!!
    However, you fail to realize that the proof of existence lies completely at the believer’s feet. Outside of your book of fairytales, every single ‘proof’ of the existence of god falls flat on its face.

  • October 19, 2013 at 2:04 pm
    Permalink

    Atheists only exist for 70-80 years. That sounds weak to me.

  • October 19, 2013 at 7:32 pm
    Permalink

    Oh brother! JBG… really?
    “As I said, atheists can’t answer the question of existence. When that question is raised, the debate is over.”

    I am inclined to believe in a form of the Spinoza god, as Einstein believed — although I am not a pantheist. I am also aware that quantum mechanics may show us that Nature is more intelligent than we think. But for crying out loud — don’t tell me that all things were created by a God of Love!

    There is no love in Nature, only survival. As conscious beings, we give life purpose. But it is obvious that life has not been created with loving purpose — one must just look at the circle of life in animals to realize that feeding off other lives, killing them, is the product of evolution, not loving design. And this is just ONE example…

    My friend, please do your homework before saying things like “Atheists only exist for 70-80 years”! It is embarrassing, really. Modern atheism started in the late eighteenth century. But Atheism is much older — in fact, Socrates was accused of Atheism.

    Please do your homework. Then we can have an intelligent debate.

  • October 19, 2013 at 7:59 pm
    Permalink

    “Atheists only exist for 70-80 years. That sounds weak to me.”

    Your or my belief will do nothing to change reality.

    Reality can be a cruel master if one cannot accept it and continues to delude oneself with tales of the ages where humans give themselves grandeur in the universe.

  • October 19, 2013 at 11:32 pm
    Permalink

    We do know that 1914 is wrong 100% because it is based on 607 BCE, which according to ALL serious scholars is wrong. The right date appears to be 587.
    Maybe they’ll move 1914 to1934!

  • October 19, 2013 at 11:38 pm
    Permalink

    Controlling history is so important because if you manipulate how people see what we call the past, you will influence massively how they see the present.

  • October 20, 2013 at 2:35 am
    Permalink

    Great analyse!
    Gorby

  • October 20, 2013 at 7:53 am
    Permalink

    @mike

    I have looked at that. The authors forget that, by changing the destruction of Jerusalem, the ripple effect then goes out to where all the histories of the nations in the neighborhood. Histories that are well established.
    It’s been I while since I’ve looked at it, so the specifics aren’t fresh in mind.

  • October 20, 2013 at 8:31 am
    Permalink

    @mike
    It rather reconciles the author’s beliefs about 607 than taking actual evidence seriously and it’s clearly biased towards 607, not towards what the actual evidence says.

  • October 20, 2013 at 12:02 pm
    Permalink

    That is a major issue with that site (and a fault in human nature).

    Rather than examine an issue, they look for ‘evidence’ that supports their own views. It’s called ‘confirmation bias.’

    Interesting that they use the bible as the main argument, yet give no mention at all whether it is accurate.

  • October 20, 2013 at 2:44 pm
    Permalink

    So as far as you are concerned, the reason why people grow old and die is because of a all knowing God put a magical tree in a garden knowing that man would fail the test and a talking snake with legs lied to a deliberately designed ignorant women.
    Ask yourself, can the universe be explained without a god, if the answer is yes then you are on the road, If not you are stuck with silly bronze stories as stated above. Talking snakes make a lot of sense vs well informed opinions.

  • October 20, 2013 at 2:45 pm
    Permalink

    That was for Johnny B. Goode

  • October 20, 2013 at 4:23 pm
    Permalink

    @ mike
    hi, first of all i understand your frustration! and i relate to what your going through. so if you ever want to chat, please do! regarding the 1914 and 607 date. ive gone back and forth over it. i loved this prophecy when i was a jw, i knew it inside out. and i see alot of biblical evidence to support it. however, regarding the website pages you provided, they make it sound as if all their ideas and evidence prove the jw date for 607bce, and that if we accepted what “apostates” say then there would be biblical inconsistancies and contradictions etc. my eyes were opened to one scripture and one scripture alone which to me solidly confirms that jws do not have the right date for jerusalems destruction. jeremiah 25:12. the jws teach that in 539bce babylon was destroyed. this date is accepted by scholars and by the jws alike. however, jws teach that the 70 years were ended 2 years after the destruction of babylon when the israelites returned home in 537 bce. the jeremiah scripture says that “when the 70 years have been FULFILLED THEN i shall call to account against the king of babylon . . and make it desolate wastes.” according to jeremiah, the 70 years were fulfilled, ended, finished, completed BEFORE jehovah brought judgment against the king of babylon and its land. why does the society teach that it was fulfilled 2 years after the destruction when the bible says it was fulfilled before the destruction??? should we listen to what the watchtower says or what jehovah says? this verse is a problem to jws because it doesnt fit in with their chronology of 607bce date. this one scripture was enough for me to change my mind about the 1914 prophecy and i had to rethink it all through. im inclined now towards what raymond franz and olof johnsson wrote regarding it. and the other big thing was why is the society teaching that the prophecy ended 2 years after the destruction of babylon where jehovah made jeremiah write that the 70 years were ended before the destruction of babylon? for me it questioned whether i was going to believe jehovahs word the bible, or to believe the society.

  • October 21, 2013 at 1:41 am
    Permalink

    Since 1914 is wrong, Jesus did not become King or is
    Present. The “anointed” think their resurrection started
    then. So WHEN is the resurrection? At the end of a person’
    life? At the END when Christ returns? Did it start after
    Pentecost? Are the dead sleeping? I’m in the “truth” 50
    years, many of these years serving abroad, and more confused than ever. I guess I’ve lost it!

  • October 21, 2013 at 6:46 am
    Permalink

    whats up about their new gray bible saying in the back these things happened (About 1914) are they serious? Now (About) 1914???

  • October 21, 2013 at 8:24 am
    Permalink

    Great article Cedars, what about this?

    “Does that not warm our hearts? Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world’s end.—1 John 2:17.” ( km 5/74 p. 3)

  • October 21, 2013 at 9:24 am
    Permalink

    2625 (Daniela 12:11,12)

    2625 (Daniela 12:11,12) x 10 (zupełność,całość) =26250
    26250 x 29,16 (lunacja) / 364,5(rok biblijny)=2100
    2100 x 121,5=255150

    255150 /364,5= 700
    255150 / 10 (zupełność,całość)=25515
    25515 /364,5= 70

    25515 / 10 (zupełność,całość)=2551,5
    2551,5 / 364,5= 7

    364,5 x 486= 177147
    177147 /29,16( lunacja)= 6075
    6075 /10 =607,5

    607,5 – 2551,5= -1944
    2551,5- 2520(siedem czasów Daniela 4: 13-17) = 31,5
    1944 + 31,5= 1975,5
    1975,5 + 4026= 6001,5
    8064 – 6001,5= 2062,5
    2062,5 – 1975,5= 87
    4000 | 2000

    4000+87=4087
    4026(początek kalendarza biblijnego)- 4087= 62 p.n.e( tranzyt Wenus)
    62 p.n.e( tranzyt Wenus) +486= 548p.n.e(tranzyt Wenus)
    548p.n.e(tranzyt Wenus) – 8=540p.n.e(tranzyt Wenus ; Daniela 9:1,2)
    62 p.n.e( tranzyt Wenus) -1975= 1914
    6000(lat historii ludzkości) – 2520(7 czasów) = 3480
    62 p.n.e( tranzyt Wenus) – 3480= 3419
    4026(początek kalendarza biblijnego) – 3419= 607 zburzenie Jerozolimy i świątyni przez Babilończyków

    4026(początek kalendarza biblijnego) +1975(pierwszy kryzys naftowy ; wojna walutowa,wojna o surowce energetyczne ; wybuch III wojny światowej o surowce energetyczne i światową walutę. Wojna ta trwa aż po dzień dzisiejszy) / 1973( wybuch wojny Jom Kippur ; zapoczątkowanie nowej fazy ogólnoświatowego kryzysu gospodarczego,ekonomicznego,społecznego i religijnego prowadzącego do upadku państw narodowych na rzecz międzynarodowych korporacji.)
    1473 p.n.e(pierwotny podbój ziemi Kanaan przez starożytny Izrael ) +1973(wojna Jom Kippur)=3446
    3430 (Daniela 9:24-27 ; 7 x 7 x70) – 3446= 16

    1975 n.e ( zapoczątkowanie nowej fazy ogólnoświatowego kryzysu gospodarczego,ekonomicznego,
    społecznego i religijnego ; rozpad państw narodowych ; W listopadzie 1975 roku ONZ wydało rezolucje dr. 3379 zwaną potocznie ” Syjonizm jest Rasizmem”) +16 =1991 ( Rezolucja ta została odwołana przez ONZ w grudniu 1991 ; dalszy rozpad państw narodowych; dalszy etap procesu przebudowy świata przez Goga z Magog )

    1913 – 2520(siedem czasów)=607 (zburzenie Jerozolimy i światyni przez Babilończyków)
    607 x 364,5(rok biblijny)= 221251,5
    221251,5 / 486= 455,25

    607 – 455,25= 151,75
    607(zburzenie Jerozolimy i świątyni przez Babilończyków) – 455(Nehemiasza 2:1)=152

    255150 / 3 = 85050
    86400 – 85050 = 1350
    1350/60=22,5
    22,5 x 10=225
    225(miesiące synodyczne) x 29,16=6561
    6561 /18 =364,5 (rok biblijny)

    234 x 364,5=85293
    85293 – 85050= 243

    243 x364,5= 88573,5
    88573,5 – 85050=3523,5
    3523,5 +52(49+3 ; Kapłańska 25:21- 24 ) = 3575,5
    4026 – 3575,5 = 450,5

    3523,5 + 48 (Kapłańska 25:21- 24) = 3571,5
    4026 – 3571,5 = 454,5

    243 x364,5= 88573,5
    88573,5 – 85050=3523,5
    3523,5 +52(49+3 ; Kapłańska 25:21- 24 ) = 3575,5
    4026 – 3575,5 = 450,5
    450(Nehemiasza 2:1) + 138 = 588/586 (zburzenie Jerozolimy )

    234 x 364,5=85293
    85293 – 85050= 243
    243 x364,5= 88573,5
    88573,5 – 85050=3523,5
    3523,5 + 48 (Kapłańska 25:21- 24) = 3571,5
    4026 – 3571,5 = 454,5
    4026-3571=455(Nehemiasza 2:1)

    455(Nehemiasza 2:1) +152 = 609 / 607 (zburzenie Jerozolimy )

    523 (KAMBYS 400) +25 (1/2 Jubileuszu)= 548(tranzyt Wenus)
    548(tranzyt Wenus) + 25(1/2 Jubileuszu)= 573 (Jubileusz ; zburzenie Tyru części lądowej przez Babilńczyków)
    573 (Jubileusz ; zburzenie Tyru części lądowej przez Babilńczyków) +13=586
    586 (początek oblężenia Tyru przez Babilończyków))

    523 (KAMBYS 400) – 1423 p.n.e(zakończenie podboju ziemi Kanaan ,pierwszy Jubileusz)= 900
    900 /50= 18 (Jubileuszy)
    4026/ 50 = 80,52
    3 + 4000+ 23 | 23p.n.e (ostatni Jubileusz w starej epoce ; 29 n.e pojawienie się Mesjasza ; Daniela 9:24-27 | 1975 n.e ; 6000 lat istnienia ludzkości

    Nauka: 19 x 28 x 15= 7980
    Powszechnie przyjmuje się , że 19 lat smoczych to: – odstęp czasu pomiędzy dwoma kolejnymi, następującymi po sobie, przejściami Słońca przez ten sam węzeł orbity Księżyca . Rok ten jest krótszy od roku słonecznego i trwa 346,6201 średnich dób słonecznych.
    Biblia: 18 x 28 x 16= 8064
    19 x 346,5( tzw.rok drakoniczny)= 6583,5
    364,5-346,5= 18
    6583,5 – 6561=22,5
    27×18 x13,5= 6561

  • October 21, 2013 at 12:21 pm
    Permalink

    @rodz piece of cake! I’m a little lost because I never got past hundreds, tens and units at school ;)

    Looks good though! Xxx

  • October 21, 2013 at 6:28 pm
    Permalink

    Hi Mike,

    It seems from the link you posted, the only reason JWs accept the 607 BC date is because their arithmetic only works out to 607 BC from bible based chronology, and since they accept the bible as gods word without question, they don’t dare question the accuracy of the chronology, and from there they do some more arithmetic to get to 1914 as the end of the gentile times. It seems to be useful for them when debating with other people who accept the bible as the word of god.

    As an atheist however, I don’t believe any gods exists, and most certainly do not believe the bible has any divine authorship. I view the compilation of the bible as fairly arbitrary, or intended to serve whatever the means were of the council that compiled it. The individual parts were written by disparate writers under no divine influence. As such I’m not constrained to the viewpoint that the bible must be true, and don’t need to consider possibilities allowed by such a narrow scope.

    Given the above, it is entirely plausible to me based on secular evidence that Jerusalem was destroyed in 587 BC, making the the entire end times prophecy that Jehovah’s Witnesses rely on useless.

    That is my view however, and I’ve never really considered the issue from a “christian sect vs christian sect” perspective. Hope you find it useful.

  • October 21, 2013 at 7:06 pm
    Permalink

    I should clarify and say I never considered the issue from a “christian sect vs christian sect” perspective after I embraced my atheism and ceased my association with JWs.

  • October 21, 2013 at 10:16 pm
    Permalink

    You made a nice choice (2 Sam 12:12)!

  • October 21, 2013 at 10:42 pm
    Permalink

    25200 lat precesyjnych osi Ziemi

    72 – 25200 + 72
    25272 / 13=1944

    2100 x 12= 25200
    2100 x 12,5= 26250
    2016 x 12,5=25200

    72+72=144
    144 x 18= 2592
    1440 x 18= 25920
    25920 / 12= 2160
    2160 n.e – 2592=432p.n.e
    2160-2100=60n.e(tranzyt Wenus)
    60n.e(tranzyt Wenus) – 486(cykl tranzytowy Wenus) = 426p.n.e(tranzyt Wenus)
    720 – 25200 -720

    1944 x 364,5(rok biblijny)=708588
    708588 / 29,16(lunacja)=24300

    1944 x 346,5=673596
    673596 / 28 = 24057
    24057 – 24300= 243
    25200+72=25272
    25272 / 243= 104
    52 x 486=25272
    52 x 468= 24336
    24336- 24300=36

    4026 | 52 | 1974

    4026p.n.e; początek w kalendarzu biblijnym | 23p.n.e(Jubileusz) +29 n.e(Daniela 9:24-27) | 1974 n.e

    4026p.n.e; ( początek w kalendarzu biblijnym ) -1944= 2062
    2082 +1=2083 (zawarcie Przymierza z Abrahamem)
    2083 (zawarcie Przymierza z Abrahamem) – 1656(Potop)= 427 lat
    4026p.n.e; ( początek w kalendarzu biblijnym ) – 2083 (zawarcie Przymierza z Abrahamem) = 1943 p.n.e

    4026p.n.e( początek kalendarza biblijnego) +1914 n.e(Daniela 7 : 7-27) =5940
    5940 x 29,16=173210,4
    173210,4 /364,5= 475,2

    1914 n.e (Daniela 7 : 7-27) – 2520 / 10=1662
    1662+ 4026 (początek kalendarza biblijnego)= 5688
    5688 x 29,16(lunacja)=165862,08
    165862,08 / 364,5(rok biblijny)= 455,04 w zaokrągleniu 455 (Daniela 9:24-27)

    455 (Daniela 9:24-27) x 364,5(rok biblijny)=165847,5
    165847,5 / 29,16(lunacja,miesiąc synodyczny)= 5687,5
    5687,5 – 4026( początek kalendarza biblijnego)= 1661,5

    475 x 364,5= 173137,5
    173137,5 / 29,16(lunacja,miesiąc synodyczny)= 5937,5
    5937,5 – 4026(początek kalendarza biblijnego)= 475,2 w zaokrągleniu 475

    5688 – 5938= 250
    475 – 455 (Daniela 9:24-27) =20
    250 / 20 =12,5

    12,5 x 29,16(lunacja,miesiąc synodyczny)=364,5(długosć roku biblijnego)

    1914 n.e (Daniela 7 : 7-27) +4026(początek kalendarza biblijnego)= 5940
    5940 x 29,16(lunacja,miesiąc synodyczny)=173210,4
    173210,4 / 364,5 (długosć roku biblijnego)= 475,2 w zaokrągleniu 475

    2100 x 12=25200(cykl precesyjny)
    2100 x 364,5=765450
    765450 / 29,16(lunacja) = 26250
    25200(cykl precesyjny) – 26250(cykl precesyjny)= 1050 | /10
    2520 – 2625(Daniela 12:11,12) =105

    1914 n.e (Daniela 7:7-27) +105=2019 n.e ( Objawienie 6:10-11)

    (2 Kronik 36:21) (…)by się spełniło słowo Jehowy wypowiedziane ustami Jeremiasza, aż ziemia spłaciła swe sabaty. Przez wszystkie dni swego spustoszenia obchodziła sabat, by się dopełniło siedemdziesiąt lat.

    490 (Daniela 9:24-27) x 364,5(długośc roku biblijnego)=178605
    178605 / 29,16(miesiąc synodyczny)= 6125
    6000 (1975 n.e) +125 = 1975 n.e +125=2100 n.e
    2100 n.e +4026p.n.e= 6126
    6126-6125=1
    2100 n.e – 125= 1975 n.e (mija 6000 lat istnienia ludzkości)

    2100 x 12=25200(cykl precesyjny)
    2625(Daniela 12 :11,12) – 2520 (7 czasów)=105

    25200 (cykl precesyjny) x 29,16(lunacja) = 734832
    734832 / 364,5(długość roku biblijnego ) =2016
    2016 n.e – 4= 2012 n.e (tranzyt Wenus)

    2016 n.e + 105= 2121
    2121 – 4 =2117 n.e(tranzyt Wenus)

    2121 x 346,5(długość roku biblijnego) = 734926,5
    734926,5 – 734832= 94,5
    94,5 x 4= 378
    364,5(długość roku biblijnego)-378= 13,5
    378 /13,5=28
    144 x 13,5= 1944
    194,4-182,25=12,15

    26250 (cykl precesyjny)x 29,16(miesiąc synodyczny,lunacja) =765450
    765450 /364,5(rok biblijny)= 2100
    2100 n.e-2016n.e= 84
    2121n.e-105=2016n.e

    26250cykl precesyjny) / 72,9 = 360,08230452674897119341563786008 w przybliżeniu 360

    360 (tzw.rok religijny)
    26250 / 72 = 364,58333333333333333333333333333

    26250 (cykl precesyjny) / 12,5 = 2100

    25200 (cykl precesyjny) /12,5= 2016

    360(rok religijny)/72=50
    364,5(rok świecki)/7,29=50

    50 x 50=2500
    50,4x 50= 2520

    360(rok religijny)x 364,5(rok świecki)=131220
    131220 /50= 2624,4
    2625(Daniela 12:11,12) – 2624,4 = 0,6

    729 x 9=6561( cykl 18 lat słonecznych)
    364,5 x 18= 6561

    19(cykl 19 lat słonecznych ; cykl Metona ) x 346,5(długosc roku drakonicznego)= 6583,5
    6583,5 – 6561= 22,5

    Nauka: 19 x 28 x 15= 7980
    Powszechnie przyjmuje się , że 19 lat smoczych to: – odstęp czasu pomiędzy dwoma kolejnymi, następującymi po sobie, przejściami Słońca przez ten sam węzeł orbity Księżyca . Rok ten jest krótszy od roku słonecznego i trwa 346,6201 średnich dób słonecznych.

    Biblia: 18 x 28 x 16= 8064
    19 x 346,5( tzw.rok drakoniczny)= 6583,5
    364,5-346,5= 18

    6583,5 – 6561=22,5

    18 lat smoczych = 6561 dni

    6561 dni to:
    225 miesiecy synodycznych
    243 miesiące smocze
    234 miesiące anomalistyczne
    8064 – 7980 = 84

    8064 – 4026(początek kalendarza biblijnego)= 4038
    4038 – 2004n.e(tranzyt Wenus)= 2034
    [2004n.e(tranzyt Wenus) +1944 (cykl tranzytowy Wenus)] +90= 3948 n.e(tranzyt Wenus)
    3948 n.e(tranzyt Wenus)+ 90 =4038
    2034 – 2004n.e(tranzyt Wenus)= 30
    2004n.e(tranzyt Wenus)- 30 =1974 /1975 upływa 6000 lat istnienia ludzkości)
    8064- 6000 =2064
    1974 n.e +2064=4038
    8064- 4038 = 4026 (początek kalendarza biblijnego)

    729 x 9 = 6561
    729 /29,16= 50
    50 x 9=450
    50 x 18=900

    729 / 27=27
    27 x 9=243
    729 x 9 = 6561
    6561 /29,16= 225 miesięcy synodycznych
    225 x 2=450

    729 /26= 28,038461538461538461538461538462
    6561/ 28,038461538461538461538461538462= 234
    234 x 2= 468

    450+486+468=1404
    1458-1404=54
    54 /2=27
    54 x 18=972
    972 /2= 486
    486 /2=243
    54-50=4
    4×9=36

    486 x 50= 24300
    486 x 54=26244
    26244- 24300=1944
    1944 / 486=4
    50/4=12,5
    1944 x 12,5=24300
    729 – 36=693
    693/2=346,5(rok drakoniczny)
    346,5 / 2 = 173,25

    18 x 28 x 16= 8064
    8064 – 4032=4032
    4032 /16= 252
    16 x 486=7776
    7776/4= 1944

    1944 +62 p.n.e(tranzyt Wenus)=2006 p.n.e(tranzyt Wenus)
    1944+ 60n.e(tranzyt Wenus)= 2004 n.e(tranzyt Wenus)

    1944 -1=1943 p.n.e (zawarcie Przymierza z Abrahamem)

    1943 p.n.e (zawarcie Przymierza z Abrahamem) – 430(exodus) -90(Jubileus ;pierwotny podbój Kanaanu)- 306(okres Sędziów) – 120(od Saula do Salomona) –
    – 390(Ezechiela 4:5,6)= 3419 zburzenie Jerozolimy przez Babilończyków

    3419( zburzenie Jerozolimy przez Babilończyków) – 4026 p.n.e(początek kalendarza biblijnego)= 607p.n.e
    zburzenie Jerozolimy przez Babilończyków

    • October 22, 2013 at 12:08 pm
      Permalink

      George,

      You say:

      “This filthy society gave us such dreadful things as the UN, the condemnation of slavery (accepted in your precious bible), the rights of women to have equality etc etc.

      I grow weary of world bashing by you people.

      The world has moved on from the awful morality of your bible.

      People invented god and gods to explain the world around them. We’ve got better ways now.

      I believe that the world is better now than in any golden age you people hark on about.

      I am happily living In a world of muck and mire, because I can see the brass underneath.

      I reject your interpretation of this world. Most people are good and kind. There are a small number of folks who are living lives that harm themselves and others.

      I am finding that these comments are becoming dominated by people who still hold to religion. I hope that more people like me will rush to restore the balance.”
      _______

      I say: ask Barbara Anderson who skally is. Your facts are , at best, off by ten digits, when it comes to thinking you are aware of whom you are addressing. Then, please re-read my posts and reply accordingly.

      This is the problem; assuming you ever thought I am one of these killers.

      Thank you.
      ~skally~

  • October 22, 2013 at 2:41 am
    Permalink

    Skally, I am a proud member of the muck and mire human society!

    This filthy society gave us such dreadful things as the UN, the condemnation of slavery (accepted in your precious bible), the rights of women to have equality etc etc.

    I grow weary of world bashing by you people.

    The world has moved on from the awful morality of your bible.

    People invented god and gods to explain the world around them. We’ve got better ways now.

    I believe that the world is better now than in any golden age you people hark on about.

    I am happily living In a world of muck and mire, because I can see the brass underneath.

    I reject your interpretation of this world. Most people are good and kind. There are a small number of folks who are living lives that harm themselves and others.

    I am finding that these comments are becoming dominated by people who still hold to religion. I hope that more people like me will rush to restore the balance.

    The bible is full of errors of judgement and scientific fact. It has some good advice, but a lot of it condones genocide and the oppression of women etc.

  • October 22, 2013 at 4:44 am
    Permalink

    Excelsior “oppression of women” like this:
    ‘Here I am bringing against you calamity from within your own house;+ and before your own eyes, I will take your wives and give them to another man,*+ and he will lie down with your wives in broad daylight.*+ 12 Although you acted in secret,+ I will do this in front of all Israel and in broad daylight.’”* (2 Sam 12:12; http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/2-samuel/12/)

    Despite this, there are more women than men preaching the word among JWs.

  • October 22, 2013 at 10:04 am
    Permalink

    I tend to agree with Excelsior.

    I admit that my experience with other religions is limited, but it appears that from my limited experience, association with some some Christian sects is less harmful than association with others.

    Association with JWs is clearly harmful, particularly for those baptized at a young age, for reasons that have been discussed at length. I’d say Mormonism and Scientology are harmful for many of the same reasons.

    On the other hand, association with churches or religious groups that don’t have such rigid requirements, and reinvest their donations into the community through soup kitchens, homeless shelters, drug rehab, scholarships, etc, are ultimately valuable to the community. But it really depends.
    Ultimately I’m opposed to insisting that certain statements are facts without evidence.

    I don’t take issue with believers. I take issue with believers insisting that I believe. But I’m also concerned with how an individual or groups beliefs can affect the community and society as a whole.

    Hopefully this post falls within the posting guidelines. If not, then Cedars please let me know which parts are problematic.

  • October 22, 2013 at 11:18 am
    Permalink

    Thanks, Dynamo.

    I agree with your comments. Religion has a positive role to play in a modern society. I get annoyed when folks only focus on what is wrong in the world. It reminds me of the witnesses, writing off billions of people as unworthy of living in their version of paradise.

    Although I am practically an atheist, I still have respect for Jesus. Some of what he said is wrong. A lot of what he said is right. The same can be said for all legitimate religious faiths.

    If people choose to believe in the bible then that is their choice and I will support their decision. It upsets me to see examples of people who have made that choice belittle those who have come to a different conclusion. It also pains me to read so many posts on science that are frankly ill informed and sometimes absolutely wrong.

    I’m not saying that there isn’t a God. All I’m asking for is that people properly research what science has to say on the origins of life and a range of other topics before they heap such scorn upon it.

    My previous post was a tad rude, for which I apologise. Skally, your opinions are your own and I am sorry if I was rude. I do not know why you feel that humanity is so terrible but I urge you to consider all the acts of human kindness and decency that occur every second of every day.

    Humanity has grave problems to face, that is true. Humanity has committed many crimes, but it has also achieved wonderful things.

    I would ask you to consider that he have a concept of human rights. We have international law. We have a multitude of organisations and individuals working tirelessly to make life better for all living things. But these things take time and sadly not all human beings are currently part of the solutions. I hope that will change.

    We all agree that there are grave problems and acts of cruelty and criminality in the Jehovah’s Witnesses religion. All of us want to see these issues resolved. Let’s work together, regardless of our spiritual beliefs to help Cedars and many others like him, as we try to either reform or remove this lamentable religion.

    • November 2, 2013 at 7:32 am
      Permalink

      Although my world-view is from within a frame of reference where *God* does figure (though not the way *God* is characterized in most of the books contained in the Bible) I really am very much appreciative of this post by Excelsior. Thank you for posting this :)

  • October 22, 2013 at 12:29 pm
    Permalink

    Hi George,

    You say:

    “My previous post was a tad rude, for which I apologise. Skally, your opinions are your own and I am sorry if I was rude. I do not know why you feel that humanity is so terrible but I urge you to consider all the acts of human kindness and decency that occur every second of every day.

    Humanity has grave problems to face, that is true. Humanity has committed many crimes, but it has also achieved wonderful things.

    I would ask you to consider that he have a concept of human rights. We have international law. We have a multitude of organisations and individuals working tirelessly to make life better for all living things. But these things take time and sadly not all human beings are currently part of the solutions. I hope that will change.”
    _______

    I say:

    Interesting you mentioned human kindness. I have beeen on another forum recently discussing/debating if indeed human kindness is inherent. My opinion on the entire fraud of life, is that we don’t know anything. We spend our entire lives HOPING THE HECK WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING, in order to survive the twilight zone we each have been living in since birth. When I stop and ponder that in depth, its utterly mind-blowing and can split an atom!

    Apology accepted for the rudeness. But you really do need to stop thinking I am a jw. Or that I ever gave this deadly org and its ridiculous legion of men, any merit IN MY LIFE, especially and foremost, after the elder that dfed three of my moms children, turned around and married her shortly thereafter. THAT is the biggest ASSUMPTION of all here.
    Yes, I accept your apology on the assumption, in advance.

    Good day George.

  • October 22, 2013 at 12:37 pm
    Permalink

    George

    You know, I was curious as to why you thought I was a STILL jw, so I re-viewed all that you replied.

    It occurs to me, you must have meant to reply to another. I can not think as to why you even had the slightest notion, by my post, that I was “one of those people”.

    Could you clarify/explain?

    Thx, ~skally~

  • October 22, 2013 at 7:45 pm
    Permalink

    I believe there is no good reason for any religion to exist. None. The fact that “Faith” is its cornerstone alone negates its use in reality. At best it’s a placebo — making it dangerous if used for real problems. Reality has no use for it.
    Like Bertrand Russell famously said:
    “Well, there can’t be a practical reason for believing what isn’t true. That’s quite… at least, I rule it out as impossible. Either the thing is true, or it isn’t. If it is true, you should believe it, and if it isn’t, you shouldn’t. And if you can’t find out whether it’s true or whether it isn’t, you should suspend judgment. But you can’t… it seems to me a fundamental dishonesty and a fundamental treachery to intellectual integrity to hold a belief because you think it’s useful, and not because you think it’s true.”

  • October 22, 2013 at 8:58 pm
    Permalink

    Same here Cedars, if my comment went off the guidlines, please erase it. I apologize if it was too opinionated.

  • October 22, 2013 at 9:14 pm
    Permalink

    The intro to this article says: “This single incident set off a chain of events that would ultimately lead to two world wars and a long and bitter cold war.”

    Actually, it wasn’t that incident in isolation, but the instability caused by the Balkan Wars of 1912-13 that led up to both the assassination and World War I.

  • October 22, 2013 at 10:34 pm
    Permalink

    “This generation” BUT WHICH?
    Matthew 24 v 15 & 34 [note also caveat v 33 (ALL)] is the first key to the generation because it invokes Daniel 11 v 31 which is dateable to an event following the “Ships of Kittim.”
    The “Your Will Be Done” is good for its time, but it’s missing the ships of kittim, atributed wrongly to the British Navy in WW1.
    I will suggest the Ships of Kittim were an event in 655ce named the “Battle of the Masts”.
    This was later followed by a terror weapon called “Greek Fire”. [arms]
    This E. Roman Emperor later called the Third Council of Constantinople….[680-681ce].
    Start counting 1290? & 1335? Daniel 12 v 12.
    In which case the generation has perhaps not started yet! 681 approx + 1335!
    Please note I am not the ‘reader’ above, I still very much believe in God and Bible. More on my website if you wish.

    http://yahweh-immanuel.info/ships%20of%20kittim.html

  • October 22, 2013 at 10:55 pm
    Permalink

    Vincent Deporter,

    Read “Our Readers Ask . . .
    Is Religious Faith an Emotional Crutch? (Use this link: http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121101/religious-faith/)? and see how Jehovah’s Witnesses agree with your opinion.

    Elsewhere, they wrote “Today, the churches and their ministers have lost the respect and support of the masses. In fact, many people believe that religion contributes to or causes conflict. An increasingly vocal and militant group of Western intellectuals is calling for the end of religion’s influence on society.” (w12 6/15 p. 18 par. 16, http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/l/r1/lp-e?q=w12+6%2F15+p.+18+par.+16)!!

    It is high time every reasoning person took his/her position as far as “faith” is considered!! “faith” like that of JWs should be controlled the same way as “tobacco” (legal killer): High taxes, alternative livelihoods for farmers, public awareness creation, collection of evidences of harmful effects, labeling JW publications “Watchtower kills”… Such measures are needed.

  • October 23, 2013 at 11:24 am
    Permalink

    Mike,

    When you say you have experienced Jehovah’s Holy Spirit, are you sure?

    A born again Christian who recovered from alcohol addiction gets on stage at his church and says, “There’s no way I could have kicked my habit without the help of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the power of prayer.”

    A Mormon who recovered from alcohol addiction gets on stage at his church and says, “There’s no way I could have kicked my habit without the help of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the power of prayer.”

    A Jew who recovered from alcohol addiction gets on stage at his Temple and says, “There’s no way I could have kicked my habit without the help of Our Lord and the power of prayer.”

    A Muslim who recovered from alcohol addiction gets on stage at his Mosque and says, “There’s no way I could have kicked my habit without the help of Allah and the writings of our beloved Prophet Mohammed and the power of prayer.”

    A Jehovah’s Witness who recovered from alcohol addiction gets on stage at his Kingdom Hall and says, “There’s no way I could have kicked my habit without the help of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the power of prayer.”

    All five of those hypothetical people will tell you without hesitation they felt God’s HOly Spirit at work in them.

    So tell me, which one(s) of these people ACTUALLY received help the [God’s] Holy Spirit in order to kick their alcoholism and which one(s) did it by manifesting some intestinal fortitude and gained control of their addiction?

    You’ll lean toward the JW, but all five of them will tell you it was their respective God that did it for them.

  • October 23, 2013 at 2:28 pm
    Permalink

    A modern rewrite of History.
    Sure religion has a lot to answer for.
    But;
    The movement started by Jesus, took basic morality to the World; roman arena, human sacrifice and superstition.
    Many individuals because of their faith worked to improve the human condition & suceeded esp late 1800s.
    Its only in the past 300 years of Bible availability that this has happened.
    Survival of the species has justified atrocity in Nazi territory and other non believing states.
    Today more babies are killed in their mothers womb than any church got around to killing.
    B

Comments are closed.