Alternative methods of calculating the year 1925
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Since the Watchtower Society always had alternative calculations for its specific dates, the 1925 was not an exception. It was even justified with the misuse of the Bible; the concept must be built on “two or three witnesses” (Matthew 18:16). Below we present a brief overview of these other calculations.
Year 2013 before Christ plus 3960 years
As he began his sojourn in the land in the year 2,045 B.C., it follows that the 3,960 years begin to count from 2,035 B.C. 2,035 plus 1,925 equals 3,960. Accordingly Abraham should enter upon the actual possession of his promised inheritance in the year 1925 A.D. (The Watchtower October 15, 1917 p. 6157, reprints).
[Genesis] 15:7-21. (...) Eleven symbolic years, the combined ages of these animals, equal 3,960 literal years. They begin to count, as appears from Genesis 16:3, “after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan” and this, as the Bible chronology shows, was about October 1, 2,036 B.C. 2,035 1/4 years brings us down to the A.D. period and 1,924 3/4 brings us to the full end of the 3,960. 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).
Year 1874 plus 50
(...) and since the Lord used the natural wheat harvest of Israel as a picture of the harvest of his people, it might not be out of place here to say that from the time of the beginning of the Jewish harvest until Pentecost was fifty days; and carrying out the Biblical rule of a day for a year, it would not be unreasonable to conclude that the harvest of the Gospel Age would cover a period of fifty years. During the period of time since 1874 there has been a great gathering together of Christian people from different quarters of the earth, without regard to creed or denomination. (Our Lord’s Return 1925 pp. 30-31).
His presence beginning in 1874, he has carried on his harvest work from 1874 forward... (Our Lord’s Return 1925 pp. 36-37).
Periods of three and a half years and periods of seven years
1918-1925 (7 years)
It seems conclusive that the hour of Nominal Zion's travail is fixed for the Passover of 1918. (See Rev. 3:14.) That will be 7 years prior to 1925. At that time there is every reason to believe the fallen angels will invade the minds of many of the Nominal Church people, driving them to exceedingly unwise conduct and leading to their destruction at the hands of the enraged masses, who will later be dragged to the same fate. (The Finished Mystery 1917 p. 128).
1921-1925 (3,5 years)
(...) and we therefore expect three and a half years of proscription of the Truth, from the spring of 1918 to the fall of 1921. This will give the Great Company splendid opportunities for martyrdom and allow another three and a half years, to the spring of 1925, for the world to think the matter over, by which time, doubtless, they will be quite ready to listen to the voice that speaks from Heaven. – Heb. 12:19. (The Finished Mystery 1917 p. 177).
Year 1914 plus 10.5 years
The French Revolution lasted ten and a half years, from June 17th, 1789, when the Assembly began its reign, until Napoleon seized the government and caused himself to be appointed First Consul, November 9th, 1799. This coincides well with the thought previously expressed (Rev. 7:3) that all phases of Babylon will not be disposed of until about ten and a half years from the fall of 1914. (The Finished Mystery 1917 p. 178).
Years 1914/1915 plus 10-11 years
No doubt Satan believed the Millennial Kingdom was due to be set up in 1915; and no doubt, also, he knew that seven years prior to the time of the setting up of that kingdom the restraints upon the evil spirits would be lifted. Be that as it may, there is evidence that the establishment of the Kingdom in Palestine will probably be in 1925, ten years later than we once calculated. The 70 jubilees, reckoned as 50 years each, expire October, 1925. (B186.) Gen. 15:1-16:3, read connectedly, indicates that Abraham's vision as to when he would receive the Kingdom was not granted until ten years after the Covenant was made, or 2035 B. C. The ages of the animals offered aggregated eleven years, which, applied prophetically, on the scale of a year for a day, equal 3960 years, the length of time from the date of the visions to A. D. 1925 (The Finished Mystery 1917 p. 128).
The number ten is often used in the Scriptures, and apparently there is some peculiar significance attached to it. (...) Ten years from 1914 is 1924. If the Jews were in their homeland we would have expected the blowing of the typical jubilee trumpets to begin about October 1st, 1924, announcing the year 1925 as the jubilee (The Watchtower February 15, 1925 p. 54).
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