Prophecy Center
What is the Message?

Is the year 1914 a significant year in the Bible prophecy?

This the claim Jehovah's Witnesses make in the Watchtower Society's book of " WHAT DOES THE BIBLE Really TEACH." ( page 215- 218 )

Can you tell me more about it?

Public Comments

1. In short, its all BS:

Predictions such as the following have appeared in various Watchtower publications:[31]

1907: Armageddon will culminate in the year 1914.[32]
1914 (generation): It was taught that Armageddon would take place before the death of those who were alive in 1914. This teaching was abandoned in 1996. Jehovah's Witnesses currently believe that no certain year can be established for Armageddon to occur.[33]
1917: In 1918, God would begin to destroy churches "wholesale" and church members by the millions.[34]
1922-1923: The resurrection of the dead would occur in 1925.[35] In preparation for the 1925 date, the Watchtower Society acquired a property in California and built a mansion they called Beth Sarim. The property was to house people such as Abraham, Moses, David, and Samuel, whom they thought would be resurrected to life in 1925. When they failed to resurrect, their leader, Joseph Rutherford moved in.[citation needed]
1938: In 1938, Armaggedon was too close for marriage or child bearing.[36]
1941: There were only "months" remaining until Armageddon.[37]
1942: Armageddon was "immediately before us."[38]
1969: Human existence would not last long enough for young people to grow old; the world system would end "in a few years". Young Witnesses were encouraged not to bother pursuing tertiary education for this reason.[39]
1969: Christ's thousand-year reign would begin in 1975.[40] There was a considerable amount of related speculation in Watchtower publications in the years leading up to 1975.[41]
1984: There were "many indications" that "the end" was closer than the end of the 20th century.[42]
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The JoHos have made MANY "predictions" to do with specific dates, and, to date, ALL of them have been WRONG.

2. They insisted Jesus was going to return in 1914.

When there was no sign of him, they changed the date. And kept on doing it. And on and on and on...

3. No. Simply put, Jehovah's Witnesses are wrong about 1914. It is not much more than the year that World War 1 started, and that's about it!

4. 1914 is only one of several JW prophetic dates ... none of which have ever corresponded with any type of authentic Bible prophecy.

5. Are you asking to the people who don`t know what day Jesus died for their sins?? as the chapter 5 of that book says that date??

the people that if you ask them "When was Satan expelled from heaven" they will tell you "before Adam and Eve sin"..but can´t support that answer with the bible while JWs can show that happened after Jesus `s death??

6. no, The bible has not set any dates.

7. Yeah 1914, the magic year

8. The fact is that the JW's cannot change their date of 1914 because they have so much invested in it. They are forced to retain their 607 BC date even though it is in obvious error.http://www.607v587.com/ To admit they were wrong is to undermine the whole credibility and truth of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. This they cannot do because they are more dedicated to their organization than they are to the truth.

9. What DOES the bible really teach? It tells us that we do not know the time or the hour, how foolish for a group of men to teach otherwise!

10. It actually can be indirectly linked to Jesus' prophecy in Mat. 24 in the following way:

1914 marked the start of the First World War - a turning point in human history as far as warfare went. It marked a new, sinister era in methods and scope of killing. Since then, we have seen many more wars and the Second World War. Yet the end has not happened! This is just what Jesus said we were to take note of. He said, "For many will come in my name claiming, 'I am the Christ' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth-pains... If anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it... So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."

Guess what the Watchtower Society said about Jesus being present from 1914? Only, you had to come into their inner sanctum to 'see' the returned Christ with spiritual eyes of understanding. Learn the secret knowledge they had, and you too would see that Christ was present, with them, from 1914 onwards. Accept their interpretation of prophesy and their date of 607 B.C. which is vital to arriving at 1914 A.D., and you will fall right into the trap Jesus warned us of.

11. The year A.D. 1878, being the parallel of his assuming power and authority in the type, clearly marks the time for the actual assuming of power as King of kings, by our present, spiritual, invisible Lord...." Studies in the Scriptures - Thy Kingdom Come p.239

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. Zion's Watch Tower 1894 July 15 p.226

"… Jehovah's witnesses pointed to the year 1914, decades in advance, as marking the start of "the conclusion of the system of things." Awake! 1973 January 22 p.8

"The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence…that Jesus' presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914." Watchtower 1993 January 15 pp.5,9

One of the most misleading statements in Watchtower publications is that they accurately foretold 1914 to be the 'start' of the conclusion of the system of things. In reality 1914 had consistently been predicted to be the 'end' of the system of things. The contradictory statements above raise two critical questions:
What did the Watchtower predict for 1914?
Does the Watchtower honestly present its history?
1914 is the pivotal date for the existence of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is currently explained as the date:
The Last Days began
Jesus started ruling in heaven
The Gentile times ended
1914 is the basis for the interpretation of the majority of other Bible prophecies. Most importantly, 3 ½ years after 1914 is when Jesus is said to have come to inspect and cleanse the Watchtower Society, resulting in Jesus choosing it to be the only organization he works though in our time, and the only means of salvation.

The current understanding is significantly different to the teachings prior to 1914. Originally, the Watchtower believed:
The Last Days began 1799
Jesus Parousia started 1874
Jesus started ruling in heaven in 1878
The Gentile Times would end in 1914, resulting in
End of Armageddon
The fall of false religion
The end of all governments
The resurrection
Paradise on earth
The ability of the Watchtower to accurately foretell the meaning of 1914 is a great source of faith for Jehovah's Witnesses unaware of what the Watchtower said prior to 1914. 1914 was to be the final of many dates for Russell, the conclusion of matters. Nothing that Russell said about 1914 has come to pass.
Watchtower quotes prior to 1914
Russell taught that Jesus invisible rulership began in 1874.
"Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present since October 1874, A.D., according to the testimony of the prophets, to those who have ears to hear it: and the formal inauguration of his kingly office dates from April 1878, A.D." Studies in Scriptures Series IV (1897) p.621
From 1874 to 1914 was the greatest time of trouble in history, with 1914 being the conclusion of the Last Days. Armageddon would begin, resulting in the wholesale destruction of all government and religion. Russell and his followers were to be raised to heaven and Jesus Kingdom would then be established as paradise on earth.
"Now, in view of recent labor troubles and threatened anarchy, our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They do not see how present conditions can hold out so long under the strain. We see no reason for changing the figures - nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God's dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble." Zions Watch Tower 1894 July 15 p.226
The following quotes during the lead up to 1914 show there could be no doubt as to what followers of the Watchtower Society were to expect.
Armageddon ended
"… the battle of the great day of God Almighty… 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." Zion's Watch Tower 1892 January 15 p.23
Religion Utterly Destroyed
"The seventh trumpet sounds from Aug. 1840, until "the time of trouble," or day of wrath is ended. Hence, it doubtless ends with the times of the Gentiles, and this forty years of conquest; and therefore, sounds until A. D. 1914; at the end of which, Babylon the great, will have fallen, and the "dragon" be bound: that is, the nations will be subdued, and "the prince of this world cast out."" Three Worlds and The Harvest of This World (1877) p.143

Now, take a look at this and I would like to point something very different out. They believe that Jesus' presence was in 1914 and he took up his crown to rule invisable. They site Acts 1:9 to say he came down invisible. No where does it say that in their Bible .

NWT
9 And after he had said these things, while they were looking on, he was lifted up and a cloud caught him up from their vision. 10 And as they were gazing into the sky while he was on his way, also, look! two men in white garments stood alongside them,

12. Yes, of course.

Jehovah's Witnesses freely acknowledge the important role that some in nominal Christianity performed in keeping alive knowledge and respect of the Bible for those spiritually dark centuries leading up to 1914. The Scriptures actually describe the centuries between the deaths of the apostles and the restoration of true Christianity.
.. ..(Matthew 13:47-49) Again the kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet let down into the sea and gathering up fish of every kind. When it got full they hauled it up onto the beach and, sitting down, they collected the fine ones into vessels, but the unsuitable they threw away. That is how it will be in the conclusion of the system of things: the angels will go out and separate the wicked from among the righteous
.. ..(Matthew 13:24-30,37-41) Another illustration [Jesus] set before them, saying: “The kingdom of the heavens has become like a man that sowed fine seed in his field. 25 While men were sleeping, his enemy came and oversowed weeds in among the wheat, and left. 26 When the blade sprouted and produced fruit, then the weeds appeared also. 27 So the slaves of the householder came up and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow fine seed in your field? How, then, does it come to have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy, a man, did this.’ They said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go out and collect them?’ 29 He said, ‘No; that by no chance, while collecting the weeds, you uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the harvest season I will tell the reapers, First collect the weeds and bind them in bundles to burn them up, then go to gathering the wheat into my storehouse.’”...37 “The sower of the fine seed is the Son of man; 38 the field is the world; as for the fine seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; but the weeds are the sons of the wicked one, 39 and the enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is a conclusion of a system of things, and the reapers are angels. 40 Therefore, just as the weeds are collected and burned with fire, so it will be in the conclusion of the system of things. 41 The Son of man will send forth his angels, and they will collect out from his kingdom all things that cause stumbling . . .

The parable of the faithful and discreet slave helps Bible students to recognize that it was only after Christ's "return" that one "slave" would receive unique privileges. Jehovah's Witnesses look at the evidence and believe that happened soon after 1914.
.. ..(Matthew 24:45-47) Who really is the faithful and discreet slave [class] whom his master [Jesus] appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings.


Regarding 1914, the Scriptures do show that Jesus sat on the throne of the Messianic Kingship that year. In hindsight, most of humankind can see the historic upheaval that began with World War I. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that mankind in general has seen a wide range of specific signs since 1914, and that anyone can perceive these as significant without even opening a Bible.

Yet the Bible DOES comment upon it! Jesus foretold this specific collection of signs as evidence that his "presence" or so-called 'second coming' had arrived. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that "presence" to be Jesus' presence as the King of God's Kingdom. Citations are from both New World Translation (NWT) and Youngs Literal Translation (YLT).
.. ..(Matthew 24:3, NWT) disciples approached [Jesus] privately, saying: "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence
(Matthew 24:3, YLT) the disciples came near to [Jesus], saying, 'Tell us, when shall these be? and what is the sign of thy presence...?
.. ..(Luke 21:7,24, NWT) Teacher, when will these things actually be, and what will be the sign when these things are destined to occur?
(Luke 21:7,24, YLT) Teacher, when, then, shall these things be? and what is the sign when these things may be about to happen?'

Amazingly, since the 1870's, Jehovah's Witnesses had recognized 1914 as a significant year according to the chronology indicated in Bible prophecy. Decades before 1914, Witnesses noted that Jesus' discussion of his second "coming", or second "presence" specifically mentions "the appointed times of the nations", which Jehovah's Witnesses believe to be a centuries-long period of relative godlessness when God's rulership through the Davidic kingship was interrupted (the line of hereditary kings beginning with King David of Israel). Jehovah's Witnesses recognize that the Davidic kingship ended in 607 BCE when Jerusalem fell to Babylon, and would begin again during the fulfillment of the composite "sign" of Matthew 24 and Luke 21.
.. ..(Luke 21:24, NWT) Jerusalem [or 'Davidic kingship'] will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled.
(Luke 21:24, YLT) Jerusalem [or 'Davidic kingship'] shall be trodden down by nations, till the times of nations be fulfilled.

How long would "the appointed times of the nations" last? Daniel chapter 4 contains a prophecy in which God's rulership, through the Davidic kings is represented by a "tree". That tree is kept down for "seven times", which seems to be seven periods of 360 "days" (See Rev 12:6,14). So Daniel 4:15 seems to be referring to 2520 "days" when God's governmental rulership would not be seen.
.. ..(Daniel 4:11-17, NWT) The tree grew up and became strong, and its very height finally reached the heavens, and it was visible to the extremity of the whole earth. ...14 He ["a holy one"] was calling out loudly, and this is what he was saying: "CHOP the tree down... 15 However, LEAVE its rootstock itself in the earth... let seven times pass over it. 17 ...that people living may know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind and that to the one whom he wants to, he gives it and he sets up over it even the lowliest one of mankind.
.. ..(Daniel 4:11-17, YLT) Become great hath the tree, yea, strong, and its height doth reach to the heavens, and its vision to the end of the whole land...14 He ["a holy one"] is calling mightily, and thus hath said, Cut down the tree...15 but the stump of its roots leave in the earth...and seven times pass over him; 17 ...that the living may know that the Most High is ruler in the kingdom of men, and to whom He willeth He giveth it, and the lowest of men He doth raise up over it.

But in history, 2520 days is not a significant amount of time. Jehovah's Witnesses look to Scriptures such as Num 14:34 and Ez 4:6 and re-examine the history using 2520 YEARS instead. From 607 BCE to 1914 CE is 2520 years; so many significant things happened that year, and World War I was only one part!.

13. To understand the significance of 1914 will take more space than is available her on this forum. The ancient writers never had dates as we know them so no future dates could ever be written. However future dates could be determined by events prophesied.

It is interesting that before 1914 other some other religious groups also saw 1914 as a marked date in Bible prophecy, but because of pressure from the main stream religions they changed their minds.


The "WHAT DOES THE BIBLE Really TEACH." ( page 215- 218 ) gives a very brief overview of the prophecy that relates to 1914.

If you really want an in depth answer please e mail me or ask the next JW that comes to your door to fully explain it.