Transsexual Witnesses of Jehovah

Bible Warns Of Aapostasy

Always speak truth toward all men, seasoned with humility; only then can you be truly free of all chains.

You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free. - John 8:32

Years ago, must be some ten years now, a Circuit Overseer was visiting our congregation and gave the usual talks that have been compiled by the Organization for worldwide direction and guidance to all our brothers and sisters no matter where on the earth we are located in order to contribute to our unity and oneness of mind.

One of the talks was extremely attention grabbing. He stated: ‘Brothers, the wheels of the Organization ARE falling off, but where else are we to go?” He reminded us that, as the Organization had grown, increasing numbers of people have and will join us who are determined to undermine the Organization, these weeds have been amongst us since its conception but are always difficult to detect and deal with. This infiltration was of no great surprise, and is usually the underlying reason for questionable things happening within the Organization by individuals or even whole congregations. That talk so many years ago was during a time that, unknown to the majority of Witnesses, the brothers in Brooklyn had enlisted us as one of the Non Government Organizations (NGO) affiliated with the UN. (For more information, please Google, "UN" "Jehovah's Witnesses").

This was also a time of shamefully sweeping under the carpet, so to speak, of known paedophiles’ within the Organization; this also remained unknown to the majority of us until media exposure around about 2002. Paedophile activity known by the brothers’ in Brooklyn for many years but handled it like other religions – VERY BADLY. (Again, for more information, please Google “Jehovah’s Witnesses” “paedophiles).

Has it therefore been prophesied that the Organization of Jehovah's Witness would suffer at the hands of apostates within its own ranks at all levels during the final period of the last days before Armageddon?

The Bible records the unfaithfulness of the Israelites toward their God, Jehovah, and the rampant apostasy that cost the lives of many thousands throughout this people’s turbulent history. Subsequently, the first century Christian congregations turned apostate shortly after the death of the apostle John who acted as an apostate restraint. Apostasy has always threatened to swallow up true worship from the time of Adam and Eve right down to the twenty first century; infiltrators of true worship who do not have a genuine love for the God of the Bible. They are figurative weeds indistinguishable from the wheat during their initial growth and with stealth attempt to overturn true worship and replaced it with corrupt ungodly human thinking driven by a desire to control the masses.

The early Christians were warned that during the final days their congregations would slip into apostasy. Likewise, the recent scandals within the Organization of Jehovah's Witness should be of no surprise, since the Organization is no stranger to apostates within and, like the Israelite nation and the early Christians, has had to endure such times of trauma and testing of its people. Only Jehovah knows how long to leave the apostate boil to fester before lancing; during that time he waits to see how many of his human servants decided to ride out the storm, as His son Christ instructed, and show themselves faithful. But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. - Matt. 24:13.

At 2 Thess. 2: 1-6 we are warned: [a]. respecting the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ...we request of YOU not to be quickly shaken from you reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here. Let no one seduce YOU in any manner, because it (the end of this world's system through Armageddon) will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. [b]. He is set in opposition and lifts himself up over every one who is called "god" or an object of reverence, so that he sits down in the temple of The God, publicly showing himself to be a god. Do you not remember that, while I was yet with YOU, I used to tell YOU these things? [c]. And so now you know the thing that acts as a restraint, with a view to his being revealed in his own due time. True, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work; but only till he who is right now acting as a restraint gets to be out of the way. [d]. Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence. But the lawless one's presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents and with every unrighteous deception [e]. for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness.

[a]. Though there has never been a date and time published in literature by the Organization attaining to when Armageddon will occur, there was at the same time no great admonishment to eliminate such divisive talk until after 1975 when many Witnesses preached without scriptural authority that Armageddon was going to come in 1975. This message seduced many, even those who seemed spiritually strong and concreted in accurate Bible knowledge. The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate, who can know it? -Jeremiah 17:9 The Organization looked foolish when Armageddon did not eventuate and some left or ceased their association. Had all those within, and associating with, the Organization heeded what had been written in the scriptures and ignored scripturally unfounded talk by impatient humans, the incident wouldn't have happened. God has given us brains to study the scriptures and discern right from wrong in order to avoid being misled. He (Christ) said: "Look out that YOU are not misled; for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, "I am he," "The due time has approached." Do not go after them. - Luke 21:8 Christ's advice and admonition has not changed. If a message is preach that contradicts what is written it can only be false. No one knows the day of Armageddon, not even Christ. "Concerning that day or hour nobody knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but the Father. Keep looking, keep awake, for YOU do not know when the appointed time is.” - Mark 13:32

[b]. Jehovah's Witnesses represent The True God, Jehovah, and thus sit in the temple of The God. The driving force is the Governing Body or ‘faithful slave class’, who sit in the figurative temple of God and operate behind the scenes to render spiritual guidance, and who in 1991 appointed men not of the slave class to help carry the increasing work load, since many of the Governing Body have either died or are speedily declining physically due to being well advanced in years. Has recent unscriptural decisions by some of these appointed ones shown a dangerous inclination to elevate themselves above The God, to be "gods" themselves and gone beyond what is written in the scriptures? John restrained apostasy in the first century. Is the faithful John Class of today a restraint that is now mainly out of the way?

[c]. It is difficult to keep any organization pure and true to its original purpose, especially one increasing greatly in numbers yearly. (See: Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom; Chapter 6. Chapter 28: Testing and Sifting from within; later discussed in this document.) As Jehovah’s Witnesses we should all have an accurate knowledge of Father’s word enabling us to keep on the straight road as individuals and as a collective. Years ago the brothers showed great zeal in stamping out corruption, it should not be any different today – but it is. When will there be a cleansing? It is not for any man to speculate; but again the scriptures indicate that it won’t be anytime soon. May be not even till Christ brings the war of Armageddon. “Look! I am coming as a thief. Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments, that he may not walk naked and people look upon his shamefulness.” – Rev. 16:15.

[d]. The lawless one's presence is indeed according to the operation of Satan with acts of unrighteous deception. Dark shadows follow the Organization for failing to address grievous matters such as the publicized pedophilia within the Organization. There is the stench of hypocrisy and cover up and a drawing away from the scriptures. Deception, reproach and ostracism has been placed before us, and by doing this some in authority within the Organization have disowned Jehovah Himself. The sheep are not being treated with tenderness. Pay attention to yourselves and all the flock...I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among YOU and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among YOU yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves. - Acts 20: 28-30

[e]. But how can Jehovah let corruption happen if it brings reproach and disgrace upon his name and that of his people? It is to separate the weeds from the wheat. The weeds will try and smoother the loyal wheat clearly shown in Christ's parable at Matthew 13. For a Witness to speak out against blatant wrong within the Organization is to risk being disfellowshipped. To question decisions from the "Faithful and discrete slave", is equated to questioning Jehovah himself and is treated as apostate talk. To question is to be disloyal. Talks are given admonishing us to stick by the elders and their decisions and actions, even if those decisions and actions are known to be wrong. But following this directive is to participate in wrong doing. How can the alarm bells not ring in the ears of us with acute spiritual hearing? We must avail ourselves with Father's word and be on the watch as instructed at 2 Thess. 2:1-6 so we are not seduced into following subversive instructions that violate Father's word, and thus drink from the same cup of poison as those who lift themselves up as gods and prophets. In a human court of justice, the soldier who has killed innocent men, women and children, might escape punishment pleading that he was following orders. Not so with Jehovah, for all stand alone before Him. ..’let us approach (God) with true hearts in the full assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled from a wicked conscience and our bodies bathed with clean water. Let us hold fast the public declaration of our hope without wavering, for he is faithful that promised. And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as YOU behold the day drawing near. For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and there is a fiery jealousy that is going to consume those in opposition...However, keep on remembering the former days in which, after YOU were enlightened, YOU endured a great contest under sufferings...do not throw away YOUR freeness of speech...For you have need of endurance, in order that, after YOU have done the will of God, YOU may receive the fulfilment of the promise. - Hebrew 10: 22-39

I sat there listening to the Circuit Overseer’s talk about wheels falling off the Organization and reflected on the scriptures I had personally studied and considered regarding apostasy and things were a lot more clearer regarding the small things happening around me within my own spiritually strong congregation; all the while oblivious to the future UN debacle and the pedophiles. I pictured the Organization as a multi-wheeled wagon in an old wild west movie speeding through a parched desert with its wheels wobbling as it hit bumps and holes and the wheels eventually falling off one by one in all directions until finally there were non. Those inside the wagon clung to one another on the wagon’s floor; tossed about like rag dolls.

Some terrified ones leapt out thinking it would be safer to walk despite the risk of serious injury and/or death, but the searing heat of the desert consumed them and before long they lay in the dust as dried bleached bones while the wagon continued on its bumpy but determined course. It could ill afford to stop and pick up those who doubted its future soundness to reach its destination in one piece, though wheelless, before falling apart and killing all those who remained within. The ride seemed like it would never end, but it did; all those inside badly bruised, battered and broken up but alive all the same.

Apostasy within.

In 1991 the controlling body of Jehovah's Witnesses applied for, and were accepted as, a Non Government Organization Associate of the UN who is seen by many as a form of God’s government that will bring peace to mankind. NGO members are asked to publicize the UN in a positive light and teach others about its policies and plans to bring world peace. In 2001 the Society quietly asked the UN to terminate its membership that it had held since 1991, but only after questions were raised to why an organization who so publicly condemned the UN as the wild beast marked for destruction in the book of Revelation was a UN Associate in the first place. Witnesses of Jehovah must not be seen as having split loyalties. "You are my witnesses," is the utterance of Jehovah, "even my servant whom I have chosen, in order that YOU may know and have faith in me, and that YOU may understand that I am the same One. Before me there was no God formed, and after me there continued to be none. I-I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior. - Isaiah 43:10

Outside the UN’s building there are the prophetic words penned by Isaiah…and He will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they (those belonging to Jehovah) will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore. - Isaiah 2:4

The UN will never bring associated governments and bodies into the mind set needed for them to beat their weapons into implements that bring world peace let alone peace amongst their neighbors. Have not many associate groups within the UN hated and at times even sought to destroy Jehovah's Witnesses? What business does the Organization have eating at the table of those it condemns and has been persecuted by? And what agreement does God's temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: "I shall reside among them and walk among [them], and I shall be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,' says Jehovah, 'and quit touching the unclean thing'", '"and I will take YOU in."' "' And I shall be a father to YOU, and YOU will be sons and daughters to me,' says Jehovah the Almighty." - 2 Cor. 6:16

Put on the complete suit of armor from God that you may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; because we have a wrestling, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:11-12

God's people come from the four corners of the earth, humble and unranked people from all nations and are no part of any political body... a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the thrown and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes - Revelation 7:9

... For both the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks look for wisdom; but we preach Christ impaled, to the Jews a cause for stumbling but to the nations foolishness;...Because a foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and a weak thing of God is stronger than men...not many wise in a fleshly way were called, not many powerful, not many of noble birth; but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put the strong things to shame; and God chose the ignoble things of the world and the things looked down upon, the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are, in order that no flesh might boast in the sight of God... 1 Cor. 1:22

...I when I came to YOU, brothers, I did not come with an extravagance of speech or of wisdom declaring the sacred secret of God to YOU. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling; and my speech and what I preached were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of spirit and power, that YOUR faith might be, not in men's wisdom, but in God's power...we speak...not the wisdom of this system (age/world) of things nor that of the rulers (kings, presidents, and so forth) of this system of things, WHO ARE TO COME TO NOTHING. - 1 Cor. 2:1-5

God the Almighty doesn't need any man made world government to go forth and bring peace to the world by conquest, He has set Christ, His king designate, to do that. I am Jehovah. That is my name; and to no one else shall I give my own glory, neither my praise to graven images. - Isaiah 42: 8

Many religious organizations associated with the UN worship idols, or people, or saints. Other associates do no worship the God of the Bible at all and are agnostic or atheist. How could the God of the Bible be sitting amongst the UN? - amongst people He doesn’t' call His own. A people representing God's true temple can not be sitting with those who are in opposition to Jehovah. To do so is to commit political fornication; something the Society of Jehovah's Witnesses has accused other's of doing for many years and who has now been caught in the same act of fornication that lasted ten years.

The actions of the involved brothers has brought reproach upon God's name. God is not a God of deception and his people are not hypocrites who slyly sally up to government bodies to carry favor.

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LAST DAYS

Last Days Associated With the Apostasy.

The words “last days” or comparable expressions are sometimes used in connection with the apostasy that was to be experienced within the Christian congregation. Wrote the apostle Paul to Timothy: “The inspired utterance says definitely that in later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons.” (1 Ti 4:1; compare Ac 20:29, 30.) In a later letter to Timothy, Paul again discussed this point and spoke of future “last days.” Because of the abandonment of right conduct by people, these were to be “critical times hard to deal with” or, more literally, ‘fierce appointed times.’ (Int) After describing in detail the wayward course and perverted attitudes to prevail among persons living at that time, Paul continued: But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up [with pride], lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. For from these arise those men who slyly work their way into households and lead as their captives weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth. – 2 Ti 3:1-7. Next, Paul contrasted such corrupt persons using Timothy, who had closely followed the apostle’s teaching, stating: Now in the way that Jan´nes and Jam´bres resisted Moses, so these also go on resisting the truth, men completely corrupted in mind, disapproved as regards the faith. Nevertheless, they will make no further progress, for their madness will be very plain to all, even as the [madness] of those [two men] became. But you have closely followed my teaching, my course of life, my purpose, my faith, my long-suffering, my love, my endurance, my persecutions, my sufferings, the sort of things that happened to me in Antioch, in I·co´ni·um, in Lys´tra, the sort of persecutions I have borne; and yet out of them all the Lord delivered me. In fact, all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted. But wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled

You, however, continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from what persons you learned them and that from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through the faith in connection with Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work. – 2 Ti 3:8-17; For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do [the] work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry. - 2 Ti 4:3-5. Thus from the context it is clear that the apostle was informing Timothy well in advance about future developments among professed Christians and describing what fruitage such apostasy would finally yield.

Similarly, the apostle Peter provided advance knowledge to fellow Christians about pressures from within the congregation: “There will also be false teachers among you. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. Furthermore, many will follow their acts of loose conduct.” - 2Pe 2:1, 2. This same warning is echoed in Jude’s words encouraging Christians “to put up a hard fight for the faith”: “As for you, beloved ones, call to mind the sayings that have been previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, how they used to say to you: ‘In the last time there will be ridiculers, proceeding according to their own desires for ungodly things.’” (Jude 3, 17, 18) Toward the close of the first century C.E., apostate elements were clearly in evidence. In our day the full fruitage of such apostasy is clearly evident; the “last days” to which Paul referred have arrived.

“The Conclusion of the System of Things.”

However, as Jesus Christ had foretold, the apostasy did not take in the entire body of Christians; the true, loyal ones were to be as “wheat” associated with “weeds.” After Christ’s invisible presence begins and during “the conclusion of the system of things” a clear evident separation and demarcation would to be made. The “weeds,” “the sons of the wicked one,” were to be ‘collected out of the kingdom of the Son of man.’ This cleansing of the true Christian congregation would leave a field of clean wheat; the false, imitation Christians would be outside the true Christian congregation. Whereas the weed-like ones would finally be pitched into “the fiery furnace,” the wheat-like ones would “shine as brightly as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Mat 13:24-30, 37-43) This definitely pointed to the concluding portion of the system of things under Satan’s wicked rule, preceding its destruction.

Furthermore, the illustration suggested that the apostasy would bear its full fruitage of wickedness during “the conclusion of the system of things” under Satan’s control. Reasonably, therefore, at that time the conditions described by the writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures as marking “the last days” would be in evidence on a large scale among professed Christians. There would be increasing lawlessness and disobedience to parents. Persons would be “lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power.” (2 Ti 3:2-5) Also, there would be “ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires and saying: ‘Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.”- 2 Pet 3:3, 4.

The prophetic illustration of Jesus also showed that time had to pass before the weed-like ones would become fully manifest, finally to be destroyed. Since the apostles knew this, their use of “last days” and like expressions in connection with the apostasy did not mean that they expected Jesus’ presence and the subsequent destruction of the ungodly right away. As Paul pointed out to the Thessalonians: “However, brothers, respecting the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we request of you not to be quickly shaken from your reason nor to be excited either through an inspired expression or through a verbal message or through a letter as though from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here. Let no one seduce you in any manner, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction.”- 2 Th 2:1-3.

Association with the UN; the reluctance of the brothers to deal with paedophilia; statements regarding voting, that it is between a witness and God if they vote or not [See How do Jehovah’s Witnesses view Voting?], and of no one else’s business either within or outside the Organization. This is clear apostasy. It IS the world's business what Witnesses do and who they represent. How can we stand as God's people if we aren't distinguishable from the myriads of others who claim to be God’s people or representatives? How can those in search of truth find the true religion if they can't see the wheat from the weeds?

Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so. - Act. 17:11

If a Witness lined up at a polling booth in a country where there was much political unrest and a bomb exploded and the Witness was killed or seriously hurt wouldn’t the outside world wonder why he or she were there in the first place? A Witness puts him or her self in harms way and under the scrutiny of the world for being anywhere near the political arena. Going into a polling booth gives the impression a Witness IS going to vote – after all, what else would they be there for? Outsiders aren’t going to be thinking that the Witness is there to enter the booth but not cast a vote. The outsider will question or assume the Organization’s stand on voting has changed or that the Witness is a hypocrite. The outsider doesn’t have to ‘recognized’ anything. If outsiders have been questioning any Witnesses presence at a polling booth then this is an obvious area that is coursing stumbling to the outsider, and aggravation for the brothers and sisters who do not wish be seen at a polling booth no matter what the situation.

...that YOU may make sure of the more important things, so that YOU may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ… - Phil 1:10.

Christ said: Certainly, then, shall not God cause justice to be done for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, even though he is long-suffering toward them? I tell YOU, He will cause justice to be done to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man arrives, will he really find the faith on the earth?" - Luke 18: 7,8.

Many will cleanse themselves and whiten themselves and will be refined. And the wicked ones will certainly act wickedly, and no wicked ones at all will understand; but the ones having insight will understand. - Daniel 12: 10

Supplementary Reading:

(Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom: a publication available from the Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses)

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Chapter 6

A Time of Testing (1914-1918)

“Let us remember that we are in a testing season. . . . If there is any reason that would lead any to let go of the Lord and His Truth and to cease sacrificing for the Lord’s Cause, then it is not merely the love of God in the heart which has prompted interest in the Lord, but something else; probably a hoping that the time was short; the consecration was only for a certain time. If so, now is a good time to let go.”

THOSE words, appearing in The Watch Tower of November 1, 1914, could not have been more appropriate. The years from 1914 to 1918 did, indeed, prove to be “a testing season” for the Bible Students. Some of the tests came from within; others came from outside. All of them, though, tested the Bible Students in ways that revealed whether they really had ‘the love of God in their hearts.’ Would they hold on to “the Lord and His Truth” or let go?

Great Expectations

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was struck down by an assassin’s bullet. That assassination triggered the outbreak of the Great War, as World War I was originally called. The fighting began in August 1914 when Germany swept into Belgium and France. By the autumn of that year, the bloodbath was well under way.

“The Gentile Times have ended; their kings have had their day”! So exclaimed Brother Russell as he entered the dining room at the Brooklyn headquarters of the Watch Tower Society the morning of Friday, October 2, 1914. Excitement was high. Most of those present had for years been looking forward to 1914. But what would the end of the Gentile Times bring?

World War I was raging, and at that time it was believed that the war was leading into a time of global anarchy that would result in the end of the existing system of things. There were also other expectations concerning 1914. Alexander H. Macmillan, who had been baptized in September 1900, later recalled: “A few of us seriously thought we were going to heaven during the first week of that October.” In fact, recalling the morning that Russell announced the end of the Gentile Times, Macmillan admitted: “We were highly excited and I would not have been surprised if at that moment we had just started up, that becoming the signal to begin ascending heavenward—but of course there was nothing like that.”

Disappointed expectations as to the return of the Lord Jesus had in the 19th century caused many followers of William Miller and various Adventist groups to lose faith. But what about the Bible Students associated with Russell? Had some been attracted by the thought of their own early salvation rather than love for God and a strong desire to do his will?

‘Brother Russell, Were You Not Disappointed?’

Brother Russell had been encouraging the Bible Students to keep on the watch and to be determined to continue in the Lord’s work even if matters did not culminate as soon as they might have expected.

October 1914 passed, and C. T. Russell and his associates were still on earth. Then October 1915 passed. Was Russell disappointed? In The Watch Tower of February 1, 1916, he wrote: “‘But, Brother Russell, what is your thought as to the time of our change? Were you not disappointed that it did not come when we hoped that it would?’ you will ask. No, we reply, we were not disappointed. . . . Brethren, those of us who are in the right attitude toward God are not disappointed at any of His arrangements. We did not wish our own will to be done; so when we found out that we were expecting the wrong thing in October, 1914, then we were glad that the Lord did not change His Plan to suit us. We did not wish Him to do so. We merely wish to be able to apprehend His plans and purposes.”

No, the Bible Students were not ‘taken home’ to heaven in October 1914. Nevertheless, the Gentile Times did end in that year. Clearly, the Bible Students had more to learn as to the significance of 1914. Meanwhile, what were they to do? Work! As The Watch Tower of September 1, 1916, put it: “We imagined that the Harvest work of gathering the Church [of anointed ones] would be accomplished before the end of the Gentile Times; but nothing in the Bible so said. . . . Are we regretful that the Harvest work continues? Nay, verily . . . Our present attitude, dear brethren, should be one of great gratitude toward God, increasing appreciation of the beautiful Truth which He has granted us the privilege of seeing and being identified with, and increasing zeal in helping to bring that Truth to the knowledge of others.”

But was there much more to be done in the harvest work? Brother Russell evidently thought so. Indicating this was a conversation he had with Brother Macmillan in the fall of 1916. Calling Macmillan to his study at Brooklyn Bethel, Russell told him: “The work is increasing rapidly, and it will continue to increase, for there is a world-wide work to be done in preaching the ‘gospel of the kingdom’ in all the world.” Russell spent three and a half hours outlining to Macmillan what he saw from the Bible to be the great work yet ahead.

The Bible Students had come through a difficult test. But with the help of The Watch Tower, they were strengthened to triumph over disappointment. The testing season, however, was far from over.

“What Is Going to Happen Now?”

On October 16, 1916, Brother Russell and his secretary Menta Sturgeon departed on a previously arranged lecture tour of western and southwestern parts of the United States. Russell, though, was seriously ill at the time. The tour took them first to Detroit, Michigan, by way of Canada. Then, after stops in Illinois, Kansas, and Texas, the two men arrived in California, where Russell delivered his last talk on Sunday, October 29, in Los Angeles. Two days later, in the early afternoon of Tuesday, October 31, 64-year-old Charles Taze Russell died on a train at Pampa, Texas. Notice of his death appeared in The Watch Tower of November 15, 1916.

What was the effect on the Bethel family when news of Brother Russell’s death was announced? A. H. Macmillan, who served as Russell’s assistant in the office while Russell was away, later recalled the morning he read the telegram to the Bethel family: “A moan went up all over that dining room. Some wept audibly. None ate breakfast that morning. All were greatly upset. At the end of the meal period they met in little groups to talk and whisper, ‘What is going to happen now?’ Little work was done that day. We did not know what to do. It was so unexpected, and yet Russell had tried to prepare us for it. What would we do? The first shock of our loss of C. T. Russell was the worst. For those first few days our future was a blank wall. Throughout his life Russell had been ‘the Society.’ The work centered around his dynamic determination to see God’s will done.”

After funeral services at The Temple in New York and at Carnegie Hall in Pittsburgh, Brother Russell was buried at Allegheny, in the Bethel family plot, according to his request. A brief biography of Russell along with his will and testament was published in The Watch Tower of December 1, 1916, as well as in subsequent editions of the first volume of Studies in the Scriptures.

What would happen now? It was difficult for the Bible Students to imagine someone else in Brother Russell’s place. Would their understanding of the Scriptures continue to be progressive, or would it stop where it was? Would they become a sect centered around him? Russell himself had made it quite clear that he expected the work to go on. So following his death, some obvious questions soon arose: Who will supervise the contents of The Watch Tower and other publications? Who should succeed Russell as president?

A Change in Administration

In his will Brother Russell outlined an arrangement for an Editorial Committee of five to determine the contents of The Watch Tower. In addition, the board of directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society made arrangements for an Executive Committee of three—A. I. Ritchie, W. E. Van Amburgh, and J. F. Rutherford—to have general supervision of all the work of the Society, subject to the control of the board of directors. Who, though, would become the new president? That decision would be made at the next annual meeting of the Society, about two months later, on January 6, 1917.

At first, the Executive Committee did its best to hold things together, encouraging the Bible Students to keep active and not lose courage. The Watch Tower continued to be published, containing articles that Russell had written before his death. But as the annual meeting approached, tension began to mount. Some were even doing a little electioneering to get a man of their choice selected to be president. Others, on account of their deep respect for Brother Russell, seemed more concerned with trying to copy his qualities and develop a sort of cult around him. Most of the Bible Students, however, were primarily interested in getting on with the work into which Russell had poured himself.

As the time for the election approached, the question remained, Who would succeed Russell as president? The Watch Tower of January 15, 1917, reported the outcome of the annual meeting, explaining: “Brother Pierson, with very appropriate remarks and expressions of appreciation and love for Brother Russell, stated that he had received word as proxy-holder from friends all over the land to the effect that he cast their votes for Brother J. F. Rutherford for President, and he further stated that he was in full sympathy with this.” After Rutherford’s name was placed in nomination and seconded, there were no further nominations, so “the Secretary cast the ballot as directed, and Brother Rutherford was declared the unanimous choice of the Convention as President.”

With the election decided, how was the new president received? The Watch Tower mentioned above reported: “The friends everywhere had prayed earnestly for the Lord’s guidance and direction in the matter of the election; and when it was concluded, everyone was content and happy, believing that the Lord had directed their deliberations and answered their prayers. Perfect harmony prevailed amongst all present.”

That “perfect harmony,” however, did not last very long. The new president was warmly received by many but not by all.

The New President Moves Ahead

Brother Rutherford was inclined, not to change the direction of the organization, but to continue in the forward-moving pattern established by Russell. Traveling representatives of the Society (known as pilgrims) were increased from 69 to 93. Distribution of the Society’s free tracts was accelerated on occasional Sundays in front of the churches and regularly in the house-to-house ministry.

The “pastoral work,” which had been started prior to Russell’s death, was now stepped up. This was a follow-up work, similar to the return-visit activity now carried on by Jehovah’s Witnesses. To further revitalize the preaching work, the Society’s new president expanded the colporteur work. Colporteurs (forerunners of today’s pioneers) were increased from 372 to 461.

“The year 1917 opened with rather a discouraging outlook,” stated The Watch Tower of December 15, 1917. Yes, following the death of C. T. Russell, there were some misgivings, some doubts, and some fears. Yet, the year-end report was encouraging; field activity had increased. Clearly, the work was moving ahead. Had the Bible Students passed another test—the death of C. T. Russell—successfully?

Efforts to Gain Control

Not everyone was supportive of the new president. C. T. Russell and J. F. Rutherford were very different men. They had different personalities and came from different backgrounds. These differences were hard for some to accept. In their minds, no one could ‘fill Brother Russell’s shoes.’

A few, especially at headquarters, actually resented Brother Rutherford. The fact that the work was moving ahead and that he was making every effort to follow the arrangements that had been put in place by Russell did not seem to impress them. Opposition soon mounted. Four members of the board of directors of the Society went so far as to endeavor to wrest administrative control from Rutherford’s hands. The situation came to a head in the summer of 1917, with the release of The Finished Mystery, the seventh volume of Studies in the Scriptures.

Brother Russell had been unable to produce this volume during his lifetime, though he had hoped to do so. Following his death, the Executive Committee of the Society arranged for two associates, Clayton J. Woodworth and George H. Fisher, to prepare this book, which was a commentary on Revelation, The Song of Solomon, and Ezekiel. In part, it was based on what Russell had written about these Bible books, and other comments and explanations were added. The completed manuscript was approved for publication by officers of the Society and was released to the Bethel family at the dining table on Tuesday, July 17, 1917. On that same occasion, a startling announcement was made—the four opposing directors had been removed, and Brother Rutherford had appointed four others to fill the vacancies. What was the reaction?

It was as if a bombshell had exploded! The four ousted directors seized upon the occasion and stirred up a five-hour controversy before the Bethel family over the administration of the Society’s affairs. A number of the Bethel family sympathized with the opposers. The opposition continued for several weeks, with the disturbers threatening to “overthrow the existing tyranny,” as they put it. But Brother Rutherford had a sound basis for the action he had taken. How so?

It turned out that although the four opposing directors had been appointed by Brother Russell, these appointments had never been confirmed by vote of the corporation members at the annual meeting of the Society. Therefore, the four of them were not legal members of the board of directors at all! Rutherford had been aware of this but had not mentioned it at first. Why not? He had wanted to avoid giving the impression that he was going against Brother Russell’s wishes. However, when it became evident that they would not discontinue their opposition, Rutherford acted within his authority and responsibility as president to replace them with four others whose appointments were to be confirmed at the next annual meeting, to be held in January 1918.

On August 8, the disgruntled ex-directors and their supporters left the Bethel family; they had been asked to leave because of the disturbance they had been creating. They soon began spreading their opposition by an extensive speaking and letter-writing campaign throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. As a result, after the summer of 1917, a number of congregations of Bible Students were split into two groups—those loyal to the Society and those who were easy prey to the smooth talk of the opposers.

But might the ousted directors, in an effort to gain control of the organization, try to influence those attending the annual meeting? Anticipating such a reaction, Rutherford felt it advisable to take a survey of all the congregations. The results? According to the report published in The Watch Tower of December 15, 1917, those voting indicated their overwhelming support of J. F. Rutherford and the directors cooperating with him! This was confirmed at the annual meeting. The opposers’ efforts to gain control had failed!

What became of those opposers and their supporters? After the January 1918 annual meeting, the opposing ones splintered off, even choosing to celebrate the Memorial, on March 26, 1918, on their own. Any unity they enjoyed was short-lived, and before long they broke up into various sects. In most cases their numbers dwindled and their activity diminished or ceased entirely.

Clearly, following Brother Russell’s death, the Bible Students faced a real test of loyalty. As Tarissa P. Gott, who was baptized in 1915, put it: “Many of those who had seemed so strong, so devoted to the Lord, began to turn away. . . . All of this just did not seem right, yet it was happening and it upset us. But I said to myself: ‘Was not this organization the one that Jehovah used to free us from the bonds of false religion? Have we not tasted of his goodness? If we were to leave now, where would we go? Would we not wind up following some man?’ We could not see why we should go with the apostates, so we stayed.”—John 6:66-69; Heb. 6:4-6.

Some who withdrew from the organization later repented and associated with the Bible Students in worship once again. By far the majority, like Sister Gott, continued to cooperate with the Watch Tower Society and Brother Rutherford. The love and unity that bound them together had been built up through years of association together at meetings and conventions. They would allow nothing to break up that bond of union.—Col. 3:14.

Keeping the Home Fires Burning

(Condensed by the website’s author, but the various unquoted scriptures have been fully quoted and are in italics)

... with Judge Rutherford and his associates in prison, what happened to the operation of headquarters?

... A chief concern of the brothers appointed was to keep The Watch Tower in circulation... In fact, during this entire “testing season,” not one issue of The Watch Tower failed to appear in print!

What was the spirit at headquarters? ... They were optimistic and confident that Jehovah would give his people the victory ultimately... In every case the brothers were confident, waiting for Jehovah to direct their activities further.”

Many problems, however, were encountered. World War I was still raging. There were shortages of paper supplies and coal, which were vitally needed for the work at headquarters. With patriotism at fever pitch, there was considerable animosity against the Society; the Bible Students were viewed as traitors.

Nevertheless, a good spirit prevailed... the brethren got busy writing articles for The Watch Tower and had it printed... and sent them out to the people.”

The Bible Students had faced some severe trials since the Gentile Times had ended in the fall of 1914. Could they continue to survive? Did they really have ‘the love of God in their hearts’ or not? Would they firmly hold on to “the Lord and His Truth,” as Russell had cautioned, or would they let go?

“Some of Us Had Been a Bit Too Hasty”

 As October 1914 approached, some of the Bible Students expected that at the end of the Gentile Times they, as spirit-anointed Christians, would receive their heavenly reward...September 27-30, 1914. A. H. Macmillan,... stated: “This is probably the last public address I shall ever deliver because we shall be going home [to heaven] soon.”

However, two days later (on Friday, October 2), Macmillan came in for some good-natured teasing back in Brooklyn, where the conventioners were to reconvene. From his seat at the head of the table, C. T. Russell announced: “We are going to make some changes in the program for Sunday [October 4]. At 10:30 Sunday morning Brother Macmillan will give us an address.” The response? Macmillan later wrote: “Everybody laughed heartily, recalling what I had said on Wednesday at Saratoga Springs—my ‘last public address’!”

“Well,” Macmillan continued, “then I had to get busy to find something to say. I found Psalm 74:9, ‘We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.’ Now that was different. In that talk I tried to show the friends that perhaps some of us had been a bit too hasty in thinking that we were going to heaven right away, and the thing for us to do would be to keep busy in the Lord’s service until he determined when any of his approved servants would be taken home to heaven.”

~~~~~

Chapter 28

Testing and Sifting From Within

THE development and growth of the modern-day organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses has included many situations that have severely tested the faith of individuals. As threshing and winnowing separate wheat from chaff, so these situations have served to identify those who are real Christians. His winnowing shovel is in his hand to clean up his threshing floor completely and to gather the wheat into his storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up with fire that cannot be put out.” - Luke 3:17.) People associated with the organization have had to manifest what was in their hearts. Were they simply serving for personal advantage? Were they merely followers of some imperfect human? Or were they humble, eager to know and to do God’s will, complete in their devotion to Jehovah? – For, as regards Jehovah, his eyes are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete before him. You have acted foolishly respecting this, for from now on there will exist wars against you.” - 2 Chronicles 16:9.

First-century followers of Jesus Christ likewise experienced tests of their faith. Jesus told his followers that if faithful, they would share with him in his Kingdom. ”Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.”… “Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them” Matt. 5:3, 10; Not everyone saying to me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of y Father who is in the heavens will. 7:21; “Truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU turn around and become as young children, YOU will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens.” 18:3; Jesus said to them: “Truly I say to YOU, In the re-creation, when the Son of man sits down upon his glorious throne, YOU who have followed me will also yourselves sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 19:28) But he did not tell them when they would receive that prize. In the face of public apathy, even hostility, toward their preaching, would they loyally continue to make the interests of that Kingdom the first concern in their lives? Not everyone did. - For Demas has forsaken me because he loved the present system of things, and he has gone to Thessalonica; Cres’cens to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia. - 2 Tim. 4:10.

The manner in which Jesus himself taught presented a test to some. The Pharisees were stumbled when he bluntly rejected their traditions. (15 Then there came to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisees and scribes, saying: “Why is it your disciples overstep the tradition of the men of former times? For example, they do not wash their hands when about to eat a meal.”

In reply he said to them: “Why is it YOU also overstep the commandment of God because of YOUR tradition? For example, God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Let him that reviles father or mother end up in death.’ But YOU say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother: “Whatever I have by which you might get benefit from me is a gift dedicated to God,” he must not honor his father at all.’ And so YOU have made the word of God invalid because of YOUR tradition. YOU hypocrites, Isaiah aptly prophesied about YOU, when he said, ‘This people honors me with their lips, yet their heart is far removed from me. It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines.’” With that he called the crowd near and said to them: “Listen and get the sense of it: Not what enters into [his] mouth defiles a man; but it is what proceeds out of [his] mouth that defiles a man.”

Then the disciples came up and said to him: “Do you know that the Pharisees stumbled at hearing what you said?” In reply he said: “Every plant that my heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. LET them be. Blind guides is what they are. If, then, a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” - Matt. 15:1-14) Even many who professed to be Jesus’ disciples took offense at his manner of teaching. On one occasion, when he was discussing the importance of exercising faith in the value of his own flesh and blood offered in sacrifice, many of his disciples expressed shock at the figurative language that he used. Not waiting for further explanation, they “went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with him.”—John 6:48-66.

But not all turned away. As Simon Peter explained, “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life; and we have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:67-69) They had seen and heard enough to be convinced that Jesus was the one through whom God was making manifest the truth concerning himself and his purpose. So the Word became flesh and resided among us, and we had a view of his glory, a glory such as belongs to an only-begotten son from a father; and he was full of undeserved kindness and truth. - John 1:14; Jesus said to him: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 14:6 Nevertheless, the tests of faith continued.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, he used the apostles and others as shepherds of the congregation. These were imperfect men, and at times their imperfections were a trial to those around them. Now after some days Paul said to Bar´na·bas: “Above all things, let us return and visit the brothers in every one of the cities in which we published the word of Jehovah to see how they are.” For his part, Bar´na·bas was determined to take along also John, who was called Mark. But Paul did not think it proper to be taking this one along with them, seeing that he had departed from them from Pam·phyl´i·a and had not gone with them to the work. At this there occurred a sharp burst of anger, so that they separated from each other; and Bar´na·bas took Mark along and sailed away to Cy´prus. Paul selected Silas and went off after he had been entrusted by the brothers to the undeserved kindness of Jehovah. But he went through Syria and Ci·li´cia, strengthening the congregations. - Acts 15:36-41; However, when Ce´phas came to Antioch, I resisted him face to face, because he stood condemned. For before the arrival of certain men from James, he used to eat with people of the nations; but when they arrived, he went withdrawing and separating himself, in fear of those of the circumcised class. The rest of the Jews also joined him in putting on this pretense, so that even Bar´na·bas was led along with them in their pretense. But when I saw they were not walking straight according to the truth of the good news, I said to Ce´phas before them all: “If you, though you are a Jew, live as the nations do, and not as Jews do, how is it that you are compelling people of the nations to live according to Jewish practice?” - Galatians 2:11-14. On the other hand, there were individuals who became unbalanced in their admiration of prominent Christians and who said: “I belong to Paul,” while others said: ‘I belong to Apollos.’ (1 Cor. 3:4) All of them needed to be on guard so as not to lose sight of what it meant to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul foretold other serious problems, explaining that even within the Christian congregation men would “rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts 20:29, 30) And the apostle Peter warned that false teachers among God’s servants would seek to exploit others with “counterfeit words.” (2 Pet. 2:1-3) Obviously, heart-searching tests of faith and loyalty lay ahead.

So, the testing and sifting that are part of the modern-day history of Jehovah’s Witnesses have come as no surprise. But not a few have been surprised at who stumbled and over what.

Did They Truly Appreciate the Ransom?

During the early 1870’s, Brother Russell and his associates grew in knowledge and appreciation of God’s purpose. It was a time of spiritual refreshment for them. But then, in 1878, they were confronted with a major test of their faith and their loyalty to God’s Word. At issue was the sacrificial value of Jesus’ flesh and blood—the very teaching over which many of Jesus’ first-century disciples had stumbled.

...August 1878 .. Barbour ...brushed aside such scriptures as:

Why, even Christ died once for all time concerning sins, a righteous [person] for unrighteous ones, that he might lead YOU to God, he being put to death in the flesh, but being made alive in the spirit. - 1 Peter 3:18;

But he was being pierced for our transgression; he was being crushed for our errors. The chastisement meant for our peace was upon him , and because of his wounds there has been a healing for us. Like sheep we have all of us wandered about; it was each one to his own way that we have turned; and Jehovah himself has caused the error of us all to meet up with that one. - Isaiah 53:5, 6;

Yes, nearly all things are cleansed with blood according to the Law, and unless blood is poured out no forgiveness takes place. - Hebrews 9:22, and declared that the whole idea that Christ died to atone for our sins was obnoxious... “To our painful surprise, Mr. Barbour . . . wrote...—denying that the death of Christ was the ransom-price of Adam and his race, saying that Christ’s death was no more a settlement of the penalty of man’s sins than would the sticking of a pin through the body of a fly and causing it suffering and death be considered by an earthly parent as a just settlement for misdemeanor in his child.”

This was a crucial matter. Would Brother Russell hold loyally to what the Bible clearly said regarding God’s provision for the salvation of humankind? Or would he fall prey to human philosophy?.. the ransom, “one of the most important teachings of God’s word.”

...July 1879, Russell began to publish a new magazine—Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence—which was from the start a special advocate of the ransom. But that was not the end of it.

Two years later, Paton, who was then serving as a traveling representative of the Watch Tower, also began to turn away,... he rejected belief in Adam’s fall into sin and consequently the need for a redeemer... In 1881, A. D. Jones, another associate,... had repudiated Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and within another year, it had rejected all the rest of the Bible. What had happened to those men? They had allowed personal theories and fascination with popular philosophies of men to lead them astray from the Word of God. Look out; perhaps there may be someone who will carry YOU off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8.

... Brother Russell sought no followers for himself. Concerning what was taking place, he wrote: “The object of this trial and sifting evidently is to select all whose heart-desires are unselfish, who are fully and unreservedly consecrated to the Lord, who are so anxious to have the Lord’s will done, and whose confidence in his wisdom, his way and his Word is so great, that they refuse to be led away from the Lord’s Word, either by the sophistries of others, or by plans and ideas of their own.”

Was God Using a Visible Channel?

There are, of course, many religious organizations, and a considerable number of teachers make some use of the Bible. Was God particularly using Charles Taze Russell?...

It certainly could not be expected that God would use C. T. Russell if he did not loyally adhere to God’s Word. The prophet with whom there is a dream, let him relate the dream; but the one with whom my own word is, let him speak forth my word truthfully.” - Jer. 23:28; All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work. - 2 Tim. 3:16, 17...Nor would God use a person who exploited his knowledge of the Scriptures to bring glory to himself. For how can YOU believe when YOU are accepting glory from one another and YOU are not seeking the glory that is from the only God?” - John 5:44. So, what do the facts show?

As Jehovah’s Witnesses today review the work that he did, the things he taught, his reason for teaching them, and the outcome, they have no doubt that Charles Taze Russell was, indeed, used by God in a special way and at a significant time.

This view is not based solely on the firm stand that Brother Russell took with regard to the ransom. It also takes into account the fact that he fearlessly rejected creeds that contained some of the foundation beliefs of Christendom, because these clashed with the inspired Scriptures. These beliefs included the doctrine of the Trinity (which had its roots in ancient Babylon and was not adopted by so-called Christians until long after Bible writing was completed) as well as the teaching that human souls are inherently immortal (which had been adopted by men who were overawed by the philosophy of Plato and which left them open to such ideas as the eternal torment of souls in hellfire). Many of Christendom’s scholars, too, know that these doctrines are not taught in the Bible, but that is not generally what their preachers say from the pulpits. In contrast, Brother Russell undertook an intensive campaign to share what the Bible actually does say with everyone who was willing to hear.

Russell... urged others to check his writings carefully against God’s inspired Word so that they would be satisfied that what they were learning was in full harmony with it. To one who wrote a letter of inquiry, Brother Russell replied: “If it was proper for the early Christians to prove what they received from the apostles, who were and who claimed to be inspired, how much more important it is that you fully satisfy yourself that these teachings keep closely within their [the scriptures] outline instructions and those of our Lord;—since their author claims no inspiration, but merely the guidance of the Lord, as one used of him in feeding his flock.”

Brother Russell claimed no supernatural power, no divine revelations. He did not claim credit for what he taught. He was an outstanding student of the Bible. But he explained that his remarkable understanding of the Scriptures was due to ‘the simple fact that God’s due time had come.’ He said: “If I did not speak, and no other agent could be found, the very stones would cry out.” He referred to himself as being simply like an index finger, pointing to what is stated in God’s Word.

Brother Russell realized that ...“This is not man’s work.”

Change of Administration Brings Tests

Many of Brother Russell’s associates were firmly convinced that the Lord had things well in hand.

Sadly, however, there were some who professed to admire Russell but who manifested a different spirit. As a result, the changed circumstances after Russell’s death resulted in a testing and sifting. Apostate groups broke away not only in the United States but also in Belfast, Ireland; in Copenhagen, Denmark; in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; and in other places. In Helsinki, Finland, some adopted the view that after Russell’s death there was no channel for further spiritual light. At the urging of certain prominent ones, 164 there left the organization. Did that have God’s blessing? For a while they published their own magazine and held their own meetings. In time, however, the group split up, withered, and ceased to exist; and many of them gladly returned to the meetings of the Bible Students. However, not all returned.

Joseph F. Rutherford, the new president of the Watch Tower Society, was not the sort of man Nicholson thought should have the position of oversight that Brother Russell had occupied. Nicholson became openly critical of the blunt manner in which new Bible study material denounced false religion. Before long he left the organization, and he took with him much of the Society’s property (which he had registered in his own name) and those in Melbourne who, in turn, had been inclined to look up to him. Why did it happen? Evidently Nicholson had allowed himself to become the follower of a man; so, when that man was gone, Nicholson’s honesty and zeal for serving the Lord grew cool. None of those that broke away at that time prospered. It is noteworthy, however, that Jane Nicholson, though frail in stature, did not join her husband in his defection. Her devotion was foremost to Jehovah God, and she continued to serve him full-time right down till her death in 1951.

Many discerned that what was taking place in the years after Brother Russell’s death was accomplishing the Lord’s will. One of Jehovah’s servants in Canada wrote concerning this to Brother Rutherford, saying:

“Dear Brother, do not misunderstand me now when I write what I do. Your disposition and that of our dear Brother Russell’s are as dissimilar as day is from night. Many, alas, very many, liked Brother Russell on account of his personality, disposition, etc.; and very, very few lifted up their finger against him. Many accepted the truth just because Brother Russell said so. Then, many got to worshiping the man . . . You remember the time when Brother Russell at a convention had a heart to heart talk about this failing of many well-intentioned brethren, basing his talk on John and the angel. (Revelation 22:8, 9) When he passed beyond we all know what happened.

“But you, Brother Rutherford, have a disposition which has no comparison with that of Brother Russell. Even your looks are different. It is not your fault. It was your birthday present, and you could not refuse it. . . . Ever since you have been placed at the head of affairs of the SOCIETY, you have been the object of unjust criticisms and slander of the worst kind, all this coming from the brethren. Yet in spite of all this you have been loyal and devoted to the dear Lord and to his commission as recorded in Isaiah 61:1-3: The spirit of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me, for the reason that Jehovah has anointed me to tell good news to the meek ones. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to those taken captive and the wide opening [of the eyes] even to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of goodwill on the part of Jehovah and the day of vengeance on the part of our God; to comfort all the mourning ones; to assign to those mourning over Zion, to give them a headdress instead of ashes, the oil of exultation instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of the downhearted spirit; and they must be called big trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, for [him] to be beautified. Did the Lord know what he was doing when he placed you at the head of affairs? He surely did. In the past we were all prone to worship the creature more than the Creator. The Lord knew that. So he placed a creature with a different disposition at the head of affairs, or I should say in charge of the work, the harvest work. You desire nobody to worship you. I know that, but you do desire that all of like precious faith should enjoy the light that is now shining on the pathway of the just, as the Lord sees fit for it to shine. And that is what the Lord wants done.”

When Pride Got in the Way

There have been times, however, when individuals in responsible positions came to view themselves as the channel of spiritual light, so that they resisted what was provided by the organization. Others simply gave in to the desire to exercise greater personal influence. They sought to get others to follow them, or, as the apostle Paul put it, “to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts 20:29, 30) Of course, this tested the motives and spiritual stability of those whom they endeavored to entice...

...When the opposers held a convention in 1918,... a split occurred...Some functioned for a while as small sects...None of them devoted themselves to the work of giving a public witness in all the inhabited earth concerning God’s Kingdom, which is the work that Jesus assigned to his followers. Matt 24:14 This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth as a witness to all the nations and then the end will come.

As these things took place, the brothers reminded themselves of what was recorded at 1 Peter 4:12: “Beloved ones, do not be puzzled at the burning among you, which is happening to you for a trial, as though a strange thing were befalling you.”

Even in recent years, some individuals who occupied prominent positions of oversight displayed a similar spirit.

Of course, these people certainly had the freedom to believe what they chose. But anyone who publicly or privately advocates views that are divergent from what appears in the publications of an organization, and who does so while claiming to represent that organization, causes division. How did Jehovah’s Witnesses deal with these situations?

They did not launch a campaign of persecution against such persons (though the defectors often indulged in abuse of their former spiritual brothers), nor did they seek to do physical harm to them (as was practiced by the Catholic Church by means of the Inquisition). Rather, they followed the inspired advice of the apostle Paul, who wrote: “Keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them. For men of that sort are slaves, not of our Lord Christ . . . By smooth talk and complimentary speech they seduce the hearts of guileless ones.”—Rom. 16:17, 18.

As others observed what was taking place, they too were given opportunity to manifest what was in their hearts.

Doctrinal Views in Need of Refinement

Jehovah’s Witnesses freely acknowledge that their understanding of God’s purpose has undergone many adjustments over the years. The fact that knowledge of God’s purpose is progressive means that there must be change. It is not that God’s purpose changes, but the enlightenment that he continuously grants to his servants calls for adjustments in their viewpoint.

From the Bible the Witnesses point out that this was also true of God’s faithful servants in the past. Abraham had a close relationship with Jehovah; but when he left Ur, that man of faith did not know the land to which God was leading him, and for many years he was not at all sure how God would fulfill his promise to make a great nation out of him. And Jehovah proceeded to say to A´bram: “Go your way out of your country and from your relatives and from the house of your father to the country that I shall show you; ² and I shall make a great nation out of you and I shall bless you and I will make your name great; and prove yourself a blessing. ³ And I will bless those who bless you, and him that calls down evil upon you I shall curse, and all the families of the ground will certainly bless themselves by means of you.” - Gen. 12:1-3; And A’bram added: Look! You have given me no seed, and, look! A son of my household is succeeding me as heir.” 15:3; And God went on to say to Abraham: “As for Sar´ai your wife, you must not call her name Sar´ai, because Sarah is her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son from her; and I will bless her and she shall become nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” At this Abraham fell upon his face and began to laugh and to say in his heart: “Will a man a hundred years old have a child born, and will Sarah, yes, will a woman ninety years old give birth?”

After that Abraham said to the [true] God: “O that Ish´ma·el might live before you!” To this God said: “Sarah your wife is indeed bearing you a son, and you must call his name Isaac. And I will establish my covenant with him for a covenant to time indefinite to his seed after him. But as regards Ish´ma·el I have heard you. Look! I will bless him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him very, very much. He will certainly produce twelve chieftains, and I will make him become a great nation. However, my covenant I shall establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this appointed time next year.” - 17:15-21; By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed in going out into a place he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, although not knowing where he was going. - Heb. 11:8 God revealed many truths to the prophets, but there were other things that they did not then understand. Now, as for me, I heard, but I could not understand; so that I said: “O my lord, what will be the final part of these things?” And he went on to say; “Go Daniel, because the words are made secret and sealed up until the time of [the]end. Dan. 12:8, 9; Concerning this very salvation a diligent inquiry and a careful search were made by the prophets who prophesied about the undeserved kindness meant for YOU. They kept on investigating what particular season or what sort of [season] the spirit in them was indicating concerning Christ when it was bearing witness beforehand about the sufferings for Christ and about the glories to follow these. It was revealed to them that, not to themselves, but to YOU, they were ministering the things that have now been announced to YOU through those who have declared the good news to YOU with holy spirit sent forth from heaven. Into these very things angels are desiring to peer. - 1 Pet. 1:10-12) Likewise, Jesus explained much to his apostles, but even at the end of his earthly life he told them that there were yet many things for them to learn. “I have many things yet to say to YOU, but YOU are not able to bear them at present.” - John 16:12 Some of these things, such as God’s purpose to bring Gentiles into the congregation, were not understood until the apostles saw what was actually occurring in fulfilment of prophecy. Now the apostles and the brothers that were in Ju·de´a heard that people of the nations had also received the word of God. So when Peter came up to Jerusalem, the [supporters] of circumcision began to contend with him, saying he had gone into the house of men that were not circumcised and had eaten with them. At this Peter commenced and went on to explain the particulars to them, saying:

“I was in the city of Jop´pa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, some sort of vessel descending like a great linen sheet being let down by its four extremities from heaven, and it came clear to me. Gazing into it, I made observations and saw four-footed creatures of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of heaven. I also heard a voice say to me, ‘Rise, Peter, slaughter and eat!’ But I said, ‘Not at all, Lord, because a defiled or unclean thing has never entered into my mouth.’ The second time the voice from heaven answered, ‘You stop calling defiled the things God has cleansed.’ This occurred for a third time, and everything was pulled up again into heaven. Also, look! at that instant there were three men standing at the house in which we were, they having been dispatched from Caes·a·re´a to me. So the spirit told me to go with them, not doubting at all. But these six brothers also went with me, and we entered into the house of the man

“He reported to us how he saw the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Dispatch men to Jop´pa and send for Simon who is surnamed Peter, and he will speak those things to you by which you and all your household may get saved.’ But when I started to speak, the holy spirit fell upon them just as it did also upon us in [the] beginning. At this I called to mind the saying of the Lord, how he used to say, ‘John, for his part, baptized with water, but YOU will be baptized in holy spirit.’ If, therefore, God gave the same free gift to them as he also did to us who have believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I should be able to hinder God?”

Now when they heard these things, they acquiesced, and they glorified God, saying: “Well, then, God has granted repentance for the purpose of life to people of the nations also.” - Acts 11:1-18.

As might be expected, when changes have required the setting aside of formerly cherished views, that has been a test for some. Furthermore, not all adjustments in understanding have come simply, in one step. Because of imperfection, there is at times a tendency to go to one extreme or another before the correct position is discerned. This may take time. Some who are inclined to be critical have stumbled over this....

Falsely,... some who professed to be Christian brothers charged that The Watch Tower had denied that Jesus is the Mediator between God and men, that it had repudiated the ransom and denied the necessity and fact of the atonement. None of this was true. But some who said it were prominent individuals, and they drew others after themselves as disciples. They may have been right in some of the details that they taught in connection with the new covenant, but did the Lord bless what they were doing? For a time some of them held meetings, but then their groups died out.

Were Their Expectations Correct?

At certain times the Bible Students had hopes and expectations that have been ridiculed by critics. Yet, all those hopes and expectations were rooted in a keen desire to see the fulfilment of what these zealous Christians recognized to be the unfailing promises of God.

...They were deeply impressed by the scriptures that show that the earth was created to be inhabited forever, that those who lived on it were to have true peace, and that all who would exercise faith in Jesus’ perfect human sacrifice could enjoy an eternity of life in Paradise. And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore. - Isa. 2:4; For this is what Jehovah has said, the Creator of the heavens, He the [true] God, the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited: “I am Jehovah, and there is no one else. Isa. 45:18; And he went on to say: Jesus, remember me when you get into your kingdom.” And he said to him: “Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise.” - Luke 23:42, 43; “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. - John 3:16.

It was only natural that they should wonder when and how these things would occur. Did the inspired Scriptures provide any clues?

Using Bible chronology that had first been laid out by Christopher Bowen of England, they thought that 6,000 years of human history had ended in 1873, that thereafter they were in the seventh thousand-year period of human history, and that they had surely approached the dawn of the foretold Millennium. ...

In the lecture “Millions Now Living Will Never Die,” delivered by J. F. Rutherford on March 21, 1920, at the Hippodrome in New York City, attention was directed to the year 1925.... On the basis of what was said there, many hoped that perhaps the remaining ones of the little flock would receive their heavenly reward by 1925. This year also was associated with expectations for resurrection of faithful pre-Christian servants of God with a view to their serving on earth as princely representatives of the heavenly Kingdom. If that really occurred, it would mean that mankind had entered an era in which death would cease to be master, and millions then living could have the hope of never dying off the earth. What a happy prospect! Though mistaken, they eagerly shared it with others.

...later... the idea—sometimes stated as a possibility, sometimes more firmly—that since the seventh millennium of human history would begin in 1975, events associated with the beginning of Christ’s Millennial Reign might start to take place then.

Did the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses on these matters prove to be correct? They certainly did not err in believing that God would without fail do what he had promised. But some of their time calculations and the expectations that they associated with these gave rise to serious disappointments.

Following 1925, meeting attendance dropped dramatically in some congregations in France and Switzerland. Again, in 1975, there was disappointment when expectations regarding the start of the Millennium failed to materialize. As a result, some withdrew from the organization. Others, because they sought to subvert the faith of associates, were disfellowshipped. No doubt, disappointment over the date was a factor, but in some instances the roots went deeper. Some individuals also argued against the need to participate in the house-to-house ministry. Certain ones did not simply choose to go their own way; they became aggressive in opposing the organization with which they had been associated, and they made use of the public press and television to air their views. Nevertheless, the number who defected was relatively small.

Although these tests resulted in a sifting and some blew away like chaff when wheat is winnowed, others remained firm. Why? Regarding his own experience and that of others in 1925, Jules Feller explained: “Those who had set their confidence in Jehovah remained steadfast and continued their preaching activity.” They recognized that a mistake had been made but that in no respect had God’s Word failed, and therefore there was no reason either to let their own hope grow dim or to slow down in the work of pointing people to God’s Kingdom as mankind’s only hope.

1914—Expectations and Reality
 

In 1876, C. T. Russell wrote the first of many articles in which he pointed to the year 1914 as the end of the Gentile Times referred to by Jesus Christ. And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be lead captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled. - Luke 21:24, ...A few other religious papers took note of the Bible chronology that pointed to the year 1914, but what group other than the Bible Students gave it ongoing international publicity and lived in a manner that showed that they believed that the Gentile Times would end in that year?

...Brother Russell wrote: “If we have the correct date and chronology, Gentile Times will end this year—1914. What of it? We do not surely know. Our expectation is that the active rule of Messiah will begin about the time of the ending of the lease of power to the Gentiles. Our expectation, true or false, is that there will be wonderful manifestations of Divine judgments against all unrighteousness, and that this will mean the breaking up of many institutions of the present time, if not all.” He emphasized that he did not expect the “end of the world” in 1914 and that the earth abides forever, but that the present order of things, of which Satan is ruler, is to pass away.

How would this come about? It seemed reasonable to the Bible Students then that it would include the glorification of any still on earth who had been chosen by God to share in the heavenly Kingdom with Christ. But how did they feel when that did not occur in 1914? The Watch Tower of April 15, 1916, stated: “We believe that the dates have proven to be quite right. We believe that Gentile Times have ended.” However, it candidly added: “The Lord did not say that the Church would all be glorified by 1914. We merely inferred it and, evidently, erred.”

In this they were somewhat like Jesus’ apostles. The apostles knew and thought they believed the prophecies concerning God’s Kingdom. But at various times they had wrong expectations as to how and when these would be