Jehovahs Witnesses - False Prophecies

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES:
The Watchtower Society

FALSE PROPHECIES

For years I have been collecting old Watchtower books for evidence in disproving their claims.
Following is a synopsis of false prophecies accumulated over the years.

Citations from Watchtower Publications

1972
"So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet? ... This 'prophet' was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian witnesses." Watchtower 4/1/72, p 197

1889
"In this volume we offer a chain of testimony on the subject of God's appointed times and seasons, each link of which we consider Scripturally strong ... it is beyond the breadth and depth of human thought, and therefore cannot be of human origin." Studies in the Scriptures Vol 2, 1889, p 15

1892
"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, 1/15/1892, p 1355

1897
"Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874." Studies in the Scriptures, Vol 4, 1897, p 621

1899
"...the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty' (Revelation 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present rulership, is already commenced." The Time Is at Hand, (1908 ed), p 101

1914
"The war will proceed and will eventuate in no glorious victory for any nation, but in the horrible mutilation and impoverishment of all. Next will follow the Armageddon of anarchy." The New York Times, 10/5/14, p 8

1916
"In the meantime, eyes of understanding should discern clearly the Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty now in progress; and our faith ... should enable us to see the glorious outcome -- Messiah's Kingdom." Watchtower Reprints, 9/1/16, p 5951

1916
"The Bible chronology herein presented shows that the six... days beginning with Adam are ended, and that the great 7th Day, the 1000 years of Christ's Reign, began in 1873." The Time Is at Hand, p ii

1918
"Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection." Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p 89

1920
"As we have heretofore stated, the great jubilee cycle is due to begin in 1925. At that time the earthly phase of the kingdom shall be recognized .... Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham...." Millions Now Living Will Never Die, 1920, p 89

1922
"The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures than 1914." Watchtower, 9/1/22, p 262

1922
"The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures because it is fixed by the law God gave to Israel. Viewing the present situation in Europe, one wonders how it will be possible to hold back the explosion much longer; and that even before 1925 the great crisis will be reached and probably passed." Watchtower, 9/1/22, p 262

1923
"Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith than Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge." Watchtower, 4/1/23, p 106

Jan. 1925
"The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during the year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time God will accomplish his purposes concerning his own people. Christians should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire during this year that they would fail to joyfully do what the Lord would have them to do." Watchtower, 1/1/25, p 3

Sept 1925
"It is to be expected that Satan will try to inject into the minds of the consecrated the thought that 1925 should see an end of the work, and that therefore it would be needless for them to do more." Watchtower, 9/1/25, p 262

1926
"Some anticipated that the work would end in 1925, but the Lord did not state so. The difficulty was that the friends inflated their imaginations beyond reason; and that when their imaginations burst asunder, they were inclined to throw away everything." The Watchtower, p 232

1931
"There was a measure of disappointment on the part of Jehovah's faithful ones on earth concerning the years 1917, 1918, and 1925, which disappointment lasted for a time...and they also learned to quit fixing dates." Vindication, p 338

May 1940
"The year 1940 is certain to be the most important year yet, because Armageddon is very near. It behooves all who love righteousness to put forth every effort to advertise THE THEOCRACY while the privileges are still open." Informant, May 1940, p 1

Sept 1940
"The Kingdom is here, the King is enthroned. Armageddon is just ahead. The glorious reign of Christ that shall bring blessings to the world will immediately follow. Therefore the great climax has been reached. Tribulation has fallen upon those who stand by the Lord." The Messenger, Sept 1940, p 6

1941
"Meantime the German people are awakening to their horrible predicament. They no longer laugh as decent men and women were made to laugh, but their faces are white, pinched and filled with forebodings of what the near future will bring and is already hastening to bring to them -- Armageddon, the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Consolation, 10/29/41, p 11

1940
"We realize that all people who love righteousness and hate lawlessness must quickly take their stand on the Lord's side if they are to receive his protection in Armageddon; for, as THE WATCHTOWER and the physical facts clearly indicate, the 'strange work' is rapidly coming to a close. It is only by studying the WATCHTOWER magazine and kindred publications that they can get the needed life-giving knowledge. There is no other source." Informant, July 1940, p 2

1941
"Receiving the gift, the marching children clasped it to them, not a toy or plaything for idle pleasure, but the Lord's provided instrument for most effective work in the remaining months before Armageddon." Watchtower, 9/15/41, p 288

1968
"True, there have been those in times past who predicted an 'end to the world,' even announcing a specific date. Some have gathered groups of people with them and fled to the hills or withdrawn into their houses waiting for the end. Yet, nothing happened. The 'end' did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing? Missing was the full measure of evidence required in fulfillment of Bible prophecy. missing from such people were God's truths and the evidence that he was guiding and using them." Awake, Oct 8, 1968, p 23

1975
"Why are you looking forward to 1975?" Watchtower, 8/15/68, p 494

What does Scripture say about false prophets?

"If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him." (Deuteronomy 18:22)

MORE on False Prophets (a Bible study)

What does Scripture say about predicting the time of the end?

Jesus' disciples asked Him, "When shall these things be?" (Matthew 24:3) Though it is not for us to know the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36; 25:13; Mark 13:32, 33; Luke 12:40), we are aware of the "times and seasons" (1 Thessalonians 5:1) and thereby know that His coming is near.

Matthew 24:33 "it is near, even at the door"
Philippians 4:5 "the Lord is at hand"
Hebrews 10:25 "ye see the day approaching"
James 5:8 "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh"
James 5:9 "behold, the Judge standeth before the door!"
1 Peter 4:7 "the end of all things is at hand"
1 John 2:18 "it is the last time"
Revelation 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20 "Behold, I come quickly ... Surely I come quickly!"
Revelation 22:10 "the time is at hand"

The important thing is not so much knowing how or when He shall appear, but to be ready when He comes.

Matthew 24:42 "Watch therefore"
Matthew 25:5, 10 "While the bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept
.... they that were ready went in .... and the door was shut."
Matthew 24:44 "Be ye also ready"
Mark 13:33-37 "Watch and pray"
Luke 12:40 "Be ye therefore ready also ..."
Luke 21:34 "take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts
be over charged with surfeiting, and drunkenness,
and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."
Luke 21:36 "Watch ye therefore, and pray always"
Philippians 4:5; Hebrews 10:25; James 5:8, 9
1 Thessalonians 5:4, 6 "watch and be sober"
1 Peter 4:7 "But the end of all things is at hand:
be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
2 Peter 3:11, 14 "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,
what manner of persons ought ye to be ... be diligent
that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless."
Revelation 2:25 "hold fast"
Revelation 3:11 "hold that fast"
Revelation 16:15 "Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments (righteousness)"

MORE on the Second Coming
(a Bible study)

JW (Watchtower) False Teachings

MAIN PAGE

Diane Dew o PO Box 340945 o Milwaukee WI 53234 USA

More Watchtower pages: Regarding the year AD 1914: "The Time of the End," 1943, p 289

	Citations from Watchtower Publications
1972	"So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet? ... This 'prophet' was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian witnesses." Watchtower 4/1/72, p 197
1889	"In this volume we offer a chain of testimony on the subject of God's appointed times and seasons, each link of which we consider Scripturally strong ... it is beyond the breadth and depth of human thought, and therefore cannot be of human origin." Studies in the Scriptures Vol 2, 1889, p 15
1892	"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, 1/15/1892, p 1355
1897	"Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874." Studies in the Scriptures, Vol 4, 1897, p 621
1899	"...the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty' (Revelation 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present rulership, is already commenced." The Time Is at Hand, (1908 ed), p 101
1914	"The war will proceed and will eventuate in no glorious victory for any nation, but in the horrible mutilation and impoverishment of all. Next will follow the Armageddon of anarchy." The New York Times, 10/5/14, p 8
1916	"In the meantime, eyes of understanding should discern clearly the Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty now in progress; and our faith ... should enable us to see the glorious outcome -- Messiah's Kingdom." Watchtower Reprints, 9/1/16, p 5951
1916	"The Bible chronology herein presented shows that the six... days beginning with Adam are ended, and that the great 7th Day, the 1000 years of Christ's Reign, began in 1873." The Time Is at Hand, p ii
1918	"Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection." Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p 89
1920	"As we have heretofore stated, the great jubilee cycle is due to begin in 1925. At that time the earthly phase of the kingdom shall be recognized .... Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham...." Millions Now Living Will Never Die, 1920, p 89
1922	"The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures than 1914." Watchtower, 9/1/22, p 262
1922	"The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures because it is fixed by the law God gave to Israel. Viewing the present situation in Europe, one wonders how it will be possible to hold back the explosion much longer; and that even before 1925 the great crisis will be reached and probably passed." Watchtower, 9/1/22, p 262
1923	"Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith than Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge." Watchtower, 4/1/23, p 106
Jan. 1925	"The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during the year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time God will accomplish his purposes concerning his own people. Christians should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire during this year that they would fail to joyfully do what the Lord would have them to do." Watchtower, 1/1/25, p 3
Sept 1925	"It is to be expected that Satan will try to inject into the minds of the consecrated the thought that 1925 should see an end of the work, and that therefore it would be needless for them to do more." Watchtower, 9/1/25, p 262
1926	"Some anticipated that the work would end in 1925, but the Lord did not state so. The difficulty was that the friends inflated their imaginations beyond reason; and that when their imaginations burst asunder, they were inclined to throw away everything." The Watchtower, p 232
1931	"There was a measure of disappointment on the part of Jehovah's faithful ones on earth concerning the years 1917, 1918, and 1925, which disappointment lasted for a time...and they also learned to quit fixing dates." Vindication, p 338
May 1940	"The year 1940 is certain to be the most important year yet, because Armageddon is very near. It behooves all who love righteousness to put forth every effort to advertise THE THEOCRACY while the privileges are still open." Informant, May 1940, p 1
Sept 1940	"The Kingdom is here, the King is enthroned. Armageddon is just ahead. The glorious reign of Christ that shall bring blessings to the world will immediately follow. Therefore the great climax has been reached. Tribulation has fallen upon those who stand by the Lord." The Messenger, Sept 1940, p 6
1941	"Meantime the German people are awakening to their horrible predicament. They no longer laugh as decent men and women were made to laugh, but their faces are white, pinched and filled with forebodings of what the near future will bring and is already hastening to bring to them -- Armageddon, the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Consolation, 10/29/41, p 11
1940	"We realize that all people who love righteousness and hate lawlessness must quickly take their stand on the Lord's side if they are to receive his protection in Armageddon; for, as THE WATCHTOWER and the physical facts clearly indicate, the 'strange work' is rapidly coming to a close. It is only by studying the WATCHTOWER magazine and kindred publications that they can get the needed life-giving knowledge. There is no other source." Informant, July 1940, p 2
1941	"Receiving the gift, the marching children clasped it to them, not a toy or plaything for idle pleasure, but the Lord's provided instrument for most effective work in the remaining months before Armageddon." Watchtower, 9/15/41, p 288
1968	"True, there have been those in times past who predicted an 'end to the world,' even announcing a specific date. Some have gathered groups of people with them and fled to the hills or withdrawn into their houses waiting for the end. Yet, nothing happened. The 'end' did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing? Missing was the full measure of evidence required in fulfillment of Bible prophecy. missing from such people were God's truths and the evidence that he was guiding and using them." Awake, Oct 8, 1968, p 23
1975	"Why are you looking forward to 1975?" Watchtower, 8/15/68, p 494