Jehovah's Witnesses, do you believe that the Son of Man sat on his glorious throne in heaven in 1914?

Question

If so, does this mean that the renewal of all things Jesus talked about in Matthew 19 actually happened in 1914?

Jesus, speaking to his disciples, said "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Or is the renewal of all things and the judging still future?

Answer 1

Wow, I'm reading these answers from the JWs and am shocked and awefully confused!  How can these JWs come to the conclusion that Christ sat on his throne in 1914?  Because some publication called the Watch Tower said so?  Come on people...where is your discernment!!!  The Bible is actually very easy to interpret.  Stop following some silly publication and get your nose in the Bible alone!

It's this simple...Jesus Christ is God Himself!  He lowered Himself to that of a man.  He lived a perfect life and set the ultimate example of how our lives should be.  He then died on the cross to take our punishment on Himself.  If you believe this and recognize Him as your Lord and Savior, then you will be saved!  This means that you will get to spend eternity in heaven (and on the new heaven and new earth after the millenium - read Revelation 21:1) with Christ Himself!

Think about it!

Answer 2

Jehovah's Witnesses and the History of 1914

In the 1 November 1995 Watchtower magazine, the Jehovah's Witnesses made a major doctrinal change concerning the "Generation of 1914." To better understand the significance of this change it is crucial to understand the importance they place on the year 1914 and how their beliefs concerning that year have radically changed throughout their history. The following is a brief survey of the Watchtower's inconsistencies.

http://www.watchman.org/jw/1914hst2.htm

Answer 3

For many reasons, the JWs will have to make the 1914 date fade away...they've twisted the meaning of "generation" about as much as they can.

Answer 4

oh dear!

Matthew 25:31-33

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, THEN shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

NWT:

31 When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.

Answer 5

Future  Matthew 19: 28,29

Does this parable apply when Jesus sat down in kingly power in 1914, as we have long understood? Well, Matthew 25:34 does speak of him as King, so the parable logically finds application since Jesus became King in 1914. But what judging did he do soon thereafter? It was not a judging of “all the nations.” Rather, he turned his attention to those claiming to make up “the house of God.” (1 Peter 4:17) In line with Malachi 3:1-3, Jesus, as Jehovah’s messenger, judicially inspected the anointed Christians remaining on earth. It was also time for judicial sentence on Christendom, who falsely claimed to be “the house of God.” (Revelation 17:1, 2; 18:4-8) Yet nothing indicates that at that time, or for that matter since, Jesus sat to judge people of all the nations finally as sheep or goats.

If we analyze Jesus’ activity in the parable, we observe him finally judging all the nations. The parable does not show that such judging would continue over an extended period of many years, as if every person dying during these past decades were judged worthy of everlasting death or everlasting life. It seems that the majority who have died in recent decades have gone to mankind’s common grave. (Revelation 6:8; 20:13) The parable, though, depicts the time when Jesus judges the people of “all the nations” who are then alive and facing the execution of his judicial sentence.

In other words, the parable points to the future when the Son of man will come in his glory. He will sit down to judge people then living. His judgment will be based on what they have manifested themselves to be. At that time “the distinction between a righteous one and a wicked one” will have been clearly established. (Malachi 3:18) The actual pronouncing and executing of judgment will be carried out in a limited time. Jesus will render just decisions based on what has become evident about individuals.—See also 2 Corinthians 5:10.

This means, then, that Jesus’ ‘sitting down on his glorious throne’ for judgment, mentioned at Matthew 25:31, applies to the future point when this powerful King will sit down to pronounce and execute judgment on the nations.  

Answer 6

Debbie and Papa gave good answers. I would only add that when Christ took up his authority in 1914, he cast Satan to the earth. Then Revelation chapter 12 continues with Satan "persecuting the woman" and goes "off to wage war with the remaining ones of her seed, who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus."

So until Satan's activities through his earthly followers are curtailed by putting him the abyss, we see Jesus ruling in the midst of his enemies.

Jesus will shortly see to it that Satan is out of the picture, and his rulership will then coincide with Matthew 19. Jesus will then begin the "re-creation" of that paradise on earth that Jehovah began in the Garden of Eden with those who will sit on thrones with him.  

Answer 7

These guys are looking forward to the end.

I knew a youngster who was convinced that 1974 was the final date.

We are still waiting.  

Answer 8

Your Answer:

The Watchtower makes the claim that:

“Beginning with Pentecost, 33 C.E., and continuing through the 19 centuries since then, this slavelike congregation has been feeding its members spiritually…” Watchtower 1981 Mar. 1 p.24

If that is true, who was the Slave immediately preceding Russell? There has never been a religion that taught what Russell taught. Russell felt that:

"It was often the case, however, that one religious group was distinguished by a clearer understanding of one Bible truth; another group, by a different truth. Their further progress was frequently hindered because they were shackled to doctrines and creeds…” Proclaimers p.120

For this reason he created a new religion with no connections to any nineteen century historical lineage.

Most important in understanding if the parable is referring to the Watchtower Society is to compare the history of how Jesus is said to have chosen the faithful and discreet slave with what the Watchtower now says is supposed to have occurred. This can all be done by referencing Watchtower publications. The reason a Jehovah’s Witness is supposed to believe that the Watchtower Society is God’s only true organization is because they were supplying the right sort of food, the truth, when Jesus inspected the organization in 1919. Between 1914 and 1919 they removed the shackles of false Babylonish practice.

It is explained that in 1914 Jesus took rulership and first cleansed the heavens.

"Obeying his Father’s order, Jesus cleansed the heavens of Satan and his demons, hurling them down to the earth. After seeing this occur in vision, John hears a heavenly voice proclaim: “Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ!” Yes, in 1914 Christ began ruling as King!" Watchtower 1991 5/15 p.9

Three and a half years later, in 1918 he cleansed his spiritual temple on earth.

"In 1918, three and a half years after his enthronement, he cleansed Jehovah’s spiritual temple, as represented on earth by the congregation of anointed Christians." Isaiah’s Prophecy—Light for all Mankind II p.348

“… finally cleansed by a fiery test by 1918, the matured “slave” as represented by a remnant now stood ready for new assignments of service.” Watchtower 1960 7/15 p.436

In 1919 he re-inspected the organization and found it clean. Describing this period the Watchtower 1998 May 15 p.17 says;

"Anointed Christians who survived the testing period of 1914-19 were freed from the dominating influence of the world and from many Babylonish religious practices. The remnant went forward as a cleansed and refined people, willingly offering sacrifices of praise to God and having the assurance that they as a people were acceptable to him.”

"In 1919 the cleansed slave class could look forward to ever-expanding activities.” Watchtower 1993 May 1 p.16

The reason Jesus is said to have chosen the Watchtower Society as his only means of salvation was that it was the only organization providing food at the proper time, and so justly appointed over all Jesus “belongings”.

“The serving of food, the right sort of food, at the proper time was the issue. It had to be according to this that a decision must be rendered by the returned master...

"On inspecting the remnant of his anointed disciples in the year 1919 C.E., the reigning King Jesus Christ did find the appointed “slave” faithful and discreet in the feeding of his “domestics.” Accordingly, he appointed this “slave” class over all his belongings.”" God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached pp.350,355

Is this really what Jesus found in 1919 when he inspected the Watchtower Society? No, he found the following teachings being promoted:

The "Last Days" started in 1799 and the 1800’s were the worst time period of all history

That Jesus had begun ruling in 1874

Armageddon had occurred in 1914

That the end was going to come in 1925

That blood was acceptable as food for Christians

That Jesus should be prayed to and worshipped as well as Jehovah

That the Great Crowd were a heavenly class

That birthdays and Christmas were acceptable celebrations

The cross was on the cover of the Watchtower

Many teachings adapted from Freemasons, such as that pyramids and astrology supported 1914

Strong Zionist support for a new nation of Israel in fulfilment of Bible prophecy

That the Faithful and Discreet Slave was not the anointed, but rather Pastor Russell

Furthermore, the most noteworthy doctrine introduced in 1918 – that the earthly resurrection would start in 1925 – was a false and embarrassing failure.

Are these teachings the "right sort of food at the proper time"? By current Watchtower truth the food the Watchtower Society was providing in 1919 was filled with inaccurate prophecy, spiritism, paganism, polytheism, idolatry and political activism. Certainly anyone belong to such a religion could not be considered one of the anointed. It brings into question if Russell, who had died in 1916, could be in heaven. Did Jesus go about immediately cleansing his organization in 1919? No! The reality is that virtually no teachings or Babylonish practices were changed from 1914 to 1919. All of the above teachings were still being promoted in 1925. In fact, the understanding of 1914 was not changed until 1943,2 and the (so called) idolatry of Jesus continued until after 1950! Can you imagine Jesus pronouncing the slave clean and then allowing them to worship the wrong God for the next 30 years?

Answer 9

WOW..Great question and great information. Enjoy reading it very much and will continue to read ..very interesting stuff.

Answer 10

Hi:

Yes, it in the future. When he sat up his throne in Jerusalem, in Israel.

However in 1914 there was no Israel to speak up due to fact that the Jews where scattered across the world. And Israel was not even a nation. It didn't exist until 1949 when the United Nation established the Nation of Israel. However here are some book for you to read :

The Holy Bible ( KJV)

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Coming Antichrist-

John Hagee

FROM DANIEL TO DOOMSDAY

The Countdown Has Begun

John Hagee

DAY OF DECEPTION

Separating Truth From Falsehood in These Last Days

John Hagee

The Second Coming of Babylon: What the Bible Says About the End Times

By: Mark Hitchcock

What in the World Is Going On? 10 Prophetic Clues You Cannot Afford to Ignore

By: David Jeremiah

3 Worlds in Conflict: The High Drama of Bible Prophecy

By: Stanley Ellisen

Charting the End Times: A Visual Guide to Understanding Bible Prophecy

By: Tim LaHaye, Thomas Ice

Read those books and make you own judgement about this and let the Holy Spirit of God lead you. Okay.

  

Answer 11

All the anointed (saints or holy ones, the judges) have to be in heaven before the thousand year judgment day stars.  Those who get resurrected at the start of the sitting down, must wait awhile until their fellowslaves also should be killed as they were.

Revelation 6  NIV

9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

Armageddon itself does not depend on all 144,000 the completed number being in heaven, but the preaching work itself being done to Jehovah's satisfaction......After Armageddon the earth will be renewed and made a paradise, not before.

But Jesus' rulerships starts at his second coming or coming into his kingdom.....the first coming was his coming as a man....2nd is coming into kingdom and resurrecting dead saints, the start of them.

John 14:3, 1 Cor. 15:23 and the verses in Revelation 6 and also 20:4-6.

Until all saints or judges are united in heaven, no one else gets resurrected to have hope of eternal life on earth.  The number of saints sees to them being  brought back.  1 Cor. 6:2, 3, Rev. 20:5.

Debbie

Answer 12

For such a simple question, you have received the most astonishingly convoluted answers from those it was directed to! They have been placed between a rock and a hard place by your question, however, which explains a lot.

The problem for Witnesses is that they must stick (for the time being) to their leaders' doctrine that something awesomely amazing happened in 1914 (invisibly) but that an 84 year gap has opened up between then and the next bit of Jesus' prophecy (which must be visible). Because the text in question (Matthew 19:28) clearly says Jesus sits down on his throne in order to judge and to separate the sheep from the goats, the Witnesses have been reduced to saying Jesus received the throne, the kingship, in 1914 but he hasn't sat down yet. He's still standing, crowned, but won't sit down till the separating of the sheep and the goats begins. He's been standing for 84 years. It's an awfully long crowning ceremony.

It's a shame for the Witnesses, for until fairly recently they had a plausible explanation. In 1914, they originally said, Jesus began separating the sheep from the goats, sitting on his throne, crowned as King. The Great Tribulation started then, but it was halted to allow the separating work and the Great Tribulation would recommence with the destruction of Babylon the Great. That idea had to be abandoned due to the ridiculously long time-gap. So, next, they said Jesus would come again, with the angels in glory, at the Great Tribulation, to start judging between the sheep and the goats. This caused Witnesses consternation because they thought they'd safely been judged as sheep. Now, they were being told, this fearful judgment hasn't even started; it is still future so they won't know till then whether they pass the test or not. They were told the generation from which they would be saved is future. It will only be identified with hindsight once the Great Tribulation starts, and it should last no more than 37 years.  Finally, they have said the days of creation are no longer 7,000 years each, but are of unknown duration. This means the Society has got rid of all the time restraints they previously encumbered themselvees with by connecting 'that generation' to 1914.

1914 has been cast adrift, without an anchor. It is slowly bobbing up and down, heading towards the dim and misty horizon.

Orthodox Christian teaching is that when Jesus visibly returns for the second time to earth, this spectacular event will herald the Day of Judgment. There will be no escape. Then the sheep will be separated from the goats. The Witnesses presently say the Day of Judgment will be the Millennium - 1,000 years of paradise restored and they won't be judged because they will have survived Armageddon. They are forgetting one critical fact. Jesus said the sheep are those who show kindness to himself. Those who comprise the Church are said to be his 'body'. It's time the Witnesses stopped slating the Church and began showing a bit of respect to the billions, in ages past and today, who are part of Christ's body. We long to embrace them and welcome them into the fold. Will they not listen to the voice of the Shepherd? What he said in Matthew 19 he continues to say today. He has never changed his message.

Answer 13

It's Miller Time - William Miller the 18th Century American Preacher that is, not the Beer!

Miller Time has been used to signify the end of the World  - e.g Venkman says 'Miller Time' in the movie Ghostbusters.