Was 1925 more important than 1914?
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Today’s Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot even imagine such fact that the Watchtower Society could have had equated the importance of any date in the past with the year 1914, which marks the beginning of “the last days.” However, as we observe, the year 1925 was probably more important than the year 1914! Here are some examples of equating these dates, and even giving more importance to the year 1925 or the year 1926).
The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly marked in the Scriptures, even more clearly than that of 1914; but it would be presumptuous on the part of any faithful follower of the Lord to assume just what the Lord is going to do during that year. (The Watchtower July 15, 1924 p. 211).
There can be no more question about 1925 than there was about 1914. The fact that all the things that some looked for in 1914 did not materialize does not alter the chronology one whit. (...).That all that some expect to see in 1925 may not transpire that year will not alter the date one whit more than in the other eases. (The Watchtower May 15, 1922 p. 150).
The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures [than aforementioned year 1914] because it is fixed by the law God gave to Israel. (The Watchtower September 1, 1922 p. 262).
WE HAVE no doubt whatever in regard to the chronology relating to the dates of 1874, 1914, 1918, and 1925. Some claim to have found new light in connection with the period of “seventy years of desolation” and Israel’s captivity in Babylon, and are zealously seeking to make others believe that Brother Russell was in error. (The Watchtower May 15, 1922 p. 147).
Many prominent dates in history are indicated, even down to the World War of 1914. The year 1925 is also a specified date. (The Golden Age May 21, 1924 p. 519; See The Golden Age December 31, 1924 p. 203).
(...) that the Lord has given his people certain points in chronology; that the fulfilment of prophecy shows the dates 1914, 1918 and 1925 to be clearly marked; that the Scriptures nowhere show just what day or year the glorification of the church takes place; therefore that with the passing of 1925 time is no more so far as the church is concerned. (The Watchtower October 15, 1925 p. 308).
Does it not also indicate, according to the dates above given, that the last chronological typical jubilee began in July, 1924, instead of October; and that the antitypical jubilee may begin about July- August, 1925? Would it be unreasonable to expect that Jehovah will mark that date to the world as clearly as he did the year 1914? and as clearly as he has marked the beginning of 1925 to the Church? That 1925 will be a phenomenal year in many respects is evident. (The Watchtower February 15, 1925 p. 56).
How much of all this will come to pass in 1926 is not stated. At present we do not find any definite date beyond 1926 indicated in the Scriptures. When the Bible Students found 1914 in the Bible they heralded it far and wide, but the Lord left the curtain down at that date until we had reached it. God set his seal upon 1914, and the work started that year is still going on. We find the date 1925-1926 clearly indicated in the prophetic outline, and the Lord has not lifted the curtain sufficiently for us to see distinctly beyond. We feel sure that he will set his seal upon that date as clearly as he did upon 1914, and he will then let us see beyond as soon and as far as will be good for us. (The Watchtower February 15, 1925 p. 58).
The Watchtower Society also published an article titled THE STRONG CABLE OF CHRONOLOGY that claimed the divine’s origin of the chronology pointing to these dates:
These internal connections of the dates impart a much greater strength than can be found in other chronologies. Some of them are of so remarkable a character us clearly to indicate that this chronology is not of man, but of God. Being of divine origin and divinely corroborated, present-truth chronology stands in a class by itself, absolutely and unqualifiedly correct. (The Watchtower July 15, 1922 p. 217).
There are questions here to be posed... If something had the “divine origin,” then why the dates were later changed? Why did the Watchtower Society reject that chronology that led it to 1874 and 1925? If these dates were deleted, why was 1914 still valid?
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