Christ's invisible return in 1914... Why is this an important teaching to Jehovah's Witnesses?

"Jehovah’s Witnesses have long recognized that this prophecy found its fulfillment with spirit-anointed Christians after the end of "the appointed times of the nations" ,the Gentile Times, in 1914." (Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! page 164, 1988, "Then Is Finished the Mystery of God," pages 261-4, 1969.)

"The prophecies of 3 1/2 times mentioned at Daniel 7:25, 12:7 and Revelation 11:3 were recognized as parellel prophecies. The Watchtower focused on prophecies in Daniel, a book that twice mentions a period comparable to that mentioned later in Revelation—3 1/2 years, or 42 months (Revelation 11:2) The Watchtower of November 1, 1993, did offer a minor adjustment as to the dating of the modern fulfillment of Revelation 11:3... from December 1914 to June 1918."
 

"As to the ending, the magazine showed how the harassment of God’s anointed ones (Daniel 7:25) climaxed in June 1918 when J. F. Rutherford and other directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society were "sentenced on false charges to a long term in prison." That event certainly was "a finishing of the dashing of the power of the holy people," as noted at Daniel 12:7." (Watchtower 8/1/1994 p. 31)

"On arriving to inspect his slaves in 1918, therefore, whom did the Master, Jesus Christ, find giving to his body of attendants their measure of food supplies at the proper time? Well, by then, who had given sincere truth-seekers the correct understanding of the ransom sacrifice, the divine name, the invisibility of Christ’s presence, and the significance of 1914? ...
In 1918, when Jesus Christ inspected those claiming to be his slaves, he found an international group of Christians publishing Bible truths for use both inside the congregation and outside in the preaching work...The faithful slave and its Governing Body were in place, ready for a widened assignment. How glad we should be that this was so, for loyal Christians are richly benefiting from the devoted work of the faithful slave and its Governing Body!" (Watchtower 3/15/1990 p. 14)

"For example, the Governing Body represents 'the faithful and discreet slave' and has special responsibility to oversee the teaching of the worldwide congregation. (Matthew 24:45)"-(Watchtower September 15th 1995 p.30)
 

"We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval." (Watchtower Jul 15,2011 p.24 Simplified English Edition)

Without this invisible return and invisible inspection, they have no basis for claiming to speak for God.

Up next: What does the Bible have to say about these statements?

"So it was in 1914 that Jesus returned invisibly, without public fanfare and with only his faithful servants being aware of his return." –Watchtower 1991 5/15 p.9

“Jesus Christ, came to inspect the spiritual temple in the spring of 1918.” -Watchtower 1993 5/1 p.15

See the page devoted to the 1914 teaching in their current Bible study book: http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-teach/1914-a-significant-year-in-bible-prophecy/      

 

 

 

What does the Bible say about the Jehovah's Witness teachings regarding 1914 and 1918?

"So it was in 1914 that Jesus returned invisibly, without public fanfare and with only his faithful servants being aware of his return." –Watchtower 1991 5/15 p.9
 

Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him.- Revelation 1:7
 

 “Jesus Christ, came to inspect the spiritual temple in the spring of 1918.” -Watchtower 1993 5/1 p.15       
 

At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.- Matt. 24:23-27  

100 Years of Kingdom Rule - THE WATCHTOWER (STUDY EDITION) JANUARY 2014

100 Years of Kingdom Rule—How Does It Affect You?*

This article is clearly asserting that God's Kingdom was established in 1914. Then what Kingdom was Paul talking about at Colossians 1:13? "For he has... brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves."

Watchtower: "The first mission of God’s newly installed King was to wage war against his Father’s chief Adversary, Satan." "Jesus then used his kingly authority to appoint a “faithful and discreet slave.”

Jesus: “So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them." Matthew 24:26

Watchtower: "Jesus Christ had begun to rule in heaven as King of God's Kingdom in 1914." 

Jesus: “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him." Matthew 24:23

I will listen to Jesus rather than the men writing this article! He said not to listen to people who say that they know what he is doing!

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20140115/100-years-kingdom-rule

The Memorial of Christ's Death

When Jehovah's Witnesses invite you to their annual “memorial” or "commemoration of the Lord's death":

I would say, “Thanks very much. So if I come then, should I partake?”

1. “No, only a few do.” How do they know that they should partake? Romans 8:16 would be their answer. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. I would say, oh, so all Christians should partake then? Do you read the Bible in context? Yes, see Romans 8:9. Either you have the Spirit of God or you don't. You do not have the Spirit of God telling you to partake of these emblems as in Romans 8:16, so according to Romans 8:9 where does that leave you?  (You can stop here but have these in mind: 1 John 3:9, 10, a child of the devil; Matthew 13:36-43 a weed)“God does not adopt them as spiritual sons, as he does the 144,000.” —The Watchtower, February 1, 1998, p. 20

If you are not adopted, how can you be “led” by God’s Spirit?

“For all who are led by God’s spirit, these are God’s sons.”—Romans 8:14, NWT

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2. “Only those that go to heaven partake. We have the hope of living on earth.” Oh, where does that hope come from? Psalm 37:29 The righteous themselves shall possess the earth and reside forever upon it. So God’s kingdom will be on earth as also in heaven? (The Lord's prayer)

1 John 2:29-3:1 says that everyone righteous is born again.So to enjoy this paradise earth, you must be righteous, or born again.

If you want to go on, ask them if they are wheat or weeds and then connect with Matthew 13:36-43. The Wheat are left in the kingdom of their Father, John 3:3-7 says you must be born again to enter the kingdom. Are you born again? What does Romans 8:16-17 say is true of those who are born again?

Here are some more scriptures on these topics:

Galatians 3:28,29 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for YOU are all one [person] in union with Christ Jesus. 29 Moreover, if YOU belong to Christ, YOU are really Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a promise. (Remember if you don’t belong to Christ then where do you belong? Romans 8:8,9 says dead in the flesh.)

They believe that Abraham has the hope of living on a paradise earth, see the topics in this blog under heaven. Hebrews 11:¹⁶ But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

But those who are Born Again go to heaven and we know that God's purpose is for a paradise earth!
compare Revelation 19:1 with Revelation 7:9 the great crowd is in heaven. Then.... Revelation 21:1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

So the great crowd is in heaven and they come down out of heaven with the Lord. Heaven and earth are one and the same. A new heaven and a new earth!Who is purchased from every tribe and tongue and people and nation?

Revelation 5:9, 10 9And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 7:9 is the same song, Revelation 19:1 is the same group of people!

3. Those that partake gain immortality, but those who do not partake gain everlasting life and these are two separate things.

John 7:³⁷ On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸ He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Who does Jesus say gains immortality here?

You have the hope of everlasting life correct?

Then ask them to read John 6:68. Ask them, what words of Jesus were some of the disciples rejecting?

John 6:⁵³ Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴ Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ? (have them read 1 John 5:1)

* 1 John 5:1 was the big awakening for me, be sure to have them read it. Notice also that Romans 8:9 not only says that we must have God’s Spirit, but it says that God’s Spirit and Christ’s Spirit are the same.

Side note: Ask them Christ’s second coming when is it? (They believe that his second coming or arrival, or presence was in 1914.)

1 Corinthians 11:25-26 “In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it , in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come.”

So why are you still holding this memorial observance? 

Please copy and paste, send in email, print and hand out... make it viral! Seriously, on any message board you could even ask if you should accept their invitation and the conversation could go from there. 

What to say when a Jehovah's Witness invites you to the Memorial

No thanks, I partake of the bread and wine, for I know that Matthew 26:27 says that it is the New Covenant by which I have forgiveness of sins. 27And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 


Why are still observing the Lord's supper, don't you think Jesus came in 1914? I Cor. 11:26 states, "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."


No thanks, I heard that not everyone partakes of the bread and wine, and I would rather gather with people who obey Jesus. John 6:52 Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

Matthew 26:27And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 


I get that you hope to live forever on earth, but do you believe that if you die you will be resurrected? Let's look at something that Jesus said we must do. John 6:54

The Jehovah's Witnesses-- A Cult?

Watchtower 1894 July 15 p.227 "… Our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They say that they do not see how present conditions can hold out so long under the strain."

Watchtower 1941 September 15 p.288 "Receiving the gift, the marching children clasped it to them, not a toy or plaything for idle pleasure, but the Lord's provided instrument for most effective work in the remaining months before Armageddon."

Watchtower 1938 November 1 p.324 "...mark the words of Jesus, which definitely seem to discourage the bearing of children immediately before or during Armageddon"

Face the Facts (1938) pp.46-50 "Would it be Scripturally proper for them to now marry and to begin to rear children? No, is the answer, which is supported by the Scripture…. Those Jonadabs who now contemplate marriage, it would seem, would do better if they wait a few years, until the fiery storm of Armageddon is gone..."

Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15 "If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things."

Awake! 1974 November 8 p.11 "The evidence is that Jesus' prophecy will shortly have a major fulfillment, upon this entire system of things. This has been a major factor in influencing many couples to decide not to have children at this time."

Kingdom Ministry May 1974 p.3 How Are You Using Your Life? "Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end."

Awake! 1989 May 8 p.13 What Career Should I Choose? "A university degree may or may not improve your employment prospects. But one fact is indisputable: "The time left is reduced"! (1 Corinthians 7:29) For all its presumed benefits, would four years or more in a university be the best use of that remaining time?-Ephesians 5:16."


"Shortly, within our twentieth century, the "battle in the day of Jehovah" will begin against the modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom." The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah p. 216

"Some of that "generation" could survive until the end of the century. But there are many indications that "the end" is much closer than that!" Watchtower 1984 March 1 pp.18-19

Matthew 24:45 “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave ... 48 “But if ever that evil slave should say in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’49 and should start to beat his fellow slaves ... 50 the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, 51 and will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his part with the hypocrites. There is where weeping and the gnashing of teeth will be.

Christ's "invisible presence", Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Antichrist

In each of the scriptures below notice the word translated "coming" is the same.

2064 [e]
erchomenon
ἐρχόμενον
coming

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

Matthew 24:29 "But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.

Now look at the links below to see quotes from Watchtower publications that show that they meet the description of the antichrist given in 2 John 1:7. They say that Christ does not return in the flesh:

Christ's invisible return in 1914... Why is this an important teaching to Jehovah's Witnesses? 

Do Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus was resurrected?

 

Do Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus was resurrected?

Resurrected means: a standing back up. 

Let's see what the Watchtower has to say about Jesus' resurrection:

 

 "According to the inspired Scriptures, Jesus Christ was not raised to life in the flesh " (Watchtower 8/1/1975 p. 478)

 

Compare to Scripture: 

'Destroy this temple and in three days, I will raise it up." The Jewish leaders said, "It took 46 years to build this temple and you're going to raise it again in three days?" But He was speaking of the temple of His BODY. (John 2:18-21)  

Chapter 17 of "You can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth" talks extensively of Jesus resurrection, saying:  "Having given up his flesh for the life of the world, Christ could never take it again and become a man once more. However, many persons believe that Christ took his fleshly body to heaven."

Most of this chapter is then dedicated to explaining the belief that Jesus was not resurrected in his fleshly body. This is addressed for at least 6 paragraphs, with the statement that "Only spirit persons with spiritual bodies can live in heaven."

The reasoning in this Watchtower book denies what the Bible says on the matter:

"They point to the fact that when Christ was raised from the dead, his fleshly body was no longer in the tomb. (Mark 16:5-7) Also, after his death Jesus appeared to his disciples in a fleshly body to show them that he was alive. Once He even had the apostle Thomas put his hand into the hole in His side so that Thomas would believe that He had actually been resurrected. (John 20:24-27) Does this not prove that Christ was raised alive in the same body in which he was put to death? No, it does not."

"But you may ask, Did not the apostle Thomas see and feel the wounds in Jesus’ side and hands, indicating that Jesus rose in the same body in which he died? How can this fact be explained?—John 20:26-28.

The Bible shows that invisible spirit creatures at times have assumed human bodies. This, many angels did in times past and this is what Jesus did upon his resurrection." (Watchtower 8/15/1969 p.484)

The first account of the resurrection that I thought of was Luke 24: 34-40 (which is missing from the citations in the above quotes) Let's see what it says in the New World Translation:  

“For a fact the Lord was raised up and he appeared to Simon!” ...

While they were speaking of these things he himself stood in their midst  ...But they were imagining they beheld a spirit. So he said to them: “Why are ​YOU​ troubled, and why is it doubts come up in ​YOUR​ hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; feel me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones just as ​YOU​ behold that I have.” [[And as he said this he showed them his hands and his feet.]]

How do the Jehovah's Witnesses explain this? Was he being deceptive when he showed Thomas the holes in his hands and feet, holes that were in the body that died? Was Jesus lying when he convinced the disciples that he was not a spirit?

God evidently did away with Jesus’ body so that it could not be worshiped. (Compare Deuteronomy 34:6; Jude 9.) ... Yet once, in order to convince “doubting” Thomas, Jesus materialized a fleshly body that had wounds on it such as were on Christ’s body when he died. A careful reading of this account, though, confirms that it was an instance of a spirit creature’s materializing a body. (Awake! 9/22/1976 p.27)

We have seen that the Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus was resurrected only as a spirit, his body gone forever. This is not what the Bible teaches. Why does the Watchtower go to such lengths to prove that Jesus' physical body was not resurrected?

But some may ask: ‘Did not the two angels present tell the apostles that Christ "will come thus in the same manner as you have beheld him going into the sky"?’ (Acts 1:11) Yes, they did. ... Thus his return also would be invisible, in a spiritual body. (Still in Chapter 17 of the Live Forever book.)"So then, those who refuse to recognize the signs of Jesus’ invisible presence because of looking for his coming in a body of flesh are mistaken." (Watchtower 9/1/1953 p. 520, The Fleshly Body of Jesus)

 

The title of chapter 17 in the Live Forever book also gives us a clue:
The title? Christ's Return-- How seen? The chapter concludes with this:

"As we have seen in the previous chapter, Bible evidence shows that in the year 1914 C.E. God’s time arrived for Christ to return and begin ruling... Since Christ’s return is invisible, is there a way to confirm that it has really occurred? Yes, there is."

So that is why the Watchtower teaches that Christ's resurrection was not bodily.
We see that it is to support the date of 1914 as Christ's return, and to claim that he returned invisibly. 

This blog has already addressed why this teaching so important to the Jehovah's Witness organization, and what the Bible has to say on the matter. 

But what of the bodily resurrection of Christ? This is the most important doctrines to a Christian. Let's take a look at why.