Events expected for the year 1925
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This chapter presents the main expectations of the Watchtower Society related to the year 1925.
Resurrection of the patriarchs
Further, the widely circulated booklet Millions Now Living Will Never Die presented the view that in 1925, God’s purposes regarding the restoring of the earth to Paradise and the resurrecting of the faithful ones of old would begin to be fulfilled. The endurance of the anointed seemed to be nearly completed. (The Watchtower November 1, 1993 p. 11).
The end of death
(...) it is reasonable to conclude that millions of people now on the earth will be still on the earth in 1925. Then, based upon the promises set forth in the divine Word, we must reach the positive and indisputable conclusion that millions now living will never die. (Millions Now Living Will Never Die! 1920 p. 97).
(...) this could point 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. (Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom 1993 p. 632).
Going to heaven
God’s people had to adjust their thinking about 1925, for instance. (...) D. Schroeder states: “It was thought that then the remnant of Christ’s anointed followers would go to heaven to be part of the Kingdom...” (1975 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses p. 146).
Paradise on the earth
At that time, there was a widely held view that pointed to 1925 as the year for the resurrection to begin and for Paradise to be restored to the earth. Thus, many were serving with a fixed date in mind. (...) After 1925 passed, the holy ones no longer served God with an immediate, explicit deadline in view. (Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy! 1999 pp. 303-304).
Armageddon
My first assignment was feeding the booklet Our Lord’s Return [published in 1925] onto a stitching machine. The overseer explained how to do it and, pointing to a huge pile of booklets, he said: “Hurry up and get the job done because Armageddon is coming!” (The Watchtower August 15, 1982 p. 10).
Those of the original remnant who survived the experiences of World War I used to quote Psalm 50:5, (...) They used to think that only these saints were to be gathered or harvested before Armageddon, although it was timely for them since 1918 to herald the message, “Millions Now Living Will Never Die.” It was even suggested that this harvesting of such spiritual saints might end with the year 1924, after which the heavenly glorification of these anointed, spirit-begotten followers of Christ would take place. (See The Watchtower, January 1, 1924, ¶¶ 11-32.) (The Watchtower December 15, 1951 p. 749).
The fall of Satan’s organization
(...) and, showing that the antitypical jubilee must begin in 1925, the message announced the doom of Satan's organization and that the time had come when the people should go free. (Light 1930, Vol. 1, p. 135).
The destruction of the Babylon the Great
The actual end of the jubilees brought the destruction of literal Babylon; and the end of the seventy cycles (as indicated by seventy jubilees), in the fall of 1925, will surely bring the deathblow to symbolic Babylon. (The Watchtower May 15, 1924 p. 159).
Binding of Satan
Now the decisive battle is on, and the victory is certain; for it is only a matter of a few short years until Satan will be bound. (The Watchtower November 1, 1922 p. 347).
The earthly phase of the kingdom
As we have heretofore stated, the great jubilee cycle is due to begin in 1925. At that time the earthly phase of the kingdom shall be recognized. (Millions Now Living Will Never Die! 1920 p. 89).
Abraham administers the land
1,924 full years of the A.D. period will end December 31, 1924 A.D. and 3/4 years more ends about October 1, 1925 A.D., at which time there is reason to believe that Abraham will come into possession of his inheritance. (Millions Now Living Will Never Die! 1920 p. 108).
The renewal of all things – restitution
(...) or about April 1, 1925, at which time we may expect the resurrection of the Ancient Worthies and the beginning of the blessing of all the families of the earth, living as well as dead. The last year of the 3,500 years will be itself a jubilee year witnessing the antitype, the great jubilee, of restitution. (Millions Now Living Will Never Die! 1920 p. 110).
The Millennium and the Jubilee of the earth
The year 1925 also held expectations for Jehovah’s servants. It was thought that a cycle of 70 typical Jubilees (70 × 50 years) from the time Israel entered the Promised Land would end in 1925 and mark the beginning of the great antitypical Jubilee, the Millennial Reign of Christ Jesus. It did not turn out that way. (The Watchtower February 15, 1984 pp. 23-24).
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