Why 1914? The Timing of Christ’s Invisible Presence According to Jehovah’s Witnesses

Introduction

The Jehovah's Witnesses' belief in Christ's invisible presence starting in 1874 is a fascinating chapter in the history of modern religious interpretation. Many mistakenly align this with the earlier claim that if Jesus had returned in 1874, why did He need to come back again in 1914? To understand this, we need to delve into the theological and prophetic context that led to the specific timing of 1914 for the beginning of Jesus' reign.

Development of Jehovah's Witnesses' Beliefs

It is essential to note that Jehovah's Witnesses did not exist as such until 1931, when the Watch Tower Society changed its name. However, the prophetic teachings that formed the foundation of the movement significantly influenced the development of their beliefs. Carlisle Tabor Russell, a key figure in the early years of this movement, began to explore biblical time prophecies after being convinced by N. H. Barbour's perspectives.

Russell, driven by an insatiable thirst for scriptural truth, engaged in numerous studies, meetings, and discussions with religious scholars. One such meeting with Barbour in Philadelphia in 1875 was pivotal. Both men agreed on several Bible teachings and shared their insights on prophetic time periods, leading Russell to come to terms with the idea that Christ's invisible presence began in 1874.

Chronological Predictions and Harmonization

From as early as 1823, with John A. Brown's work on Daniel chapter 4's seven times, to E. B. Elliott's attention to 1914 as a potential end-of-time period, various scholars contributed to the theoretical framework that supported the Jehovah's Witnesses' beliefs. In 1870, the publication of The Times of the Gentiles edited by Joseph Seiss and associates highlighted the significance of 1914.

During the August, September, and October 1875 issues of Herald of the Morning, N. H. Barbour further developed these ideas using chronological data from Christopher Bowen and E. B. Elliott. This harmonization helped pinpoint the start of the Gentile Times with King Zedekiah's removal from his kingship, as foretold in Ezekiel 21:25-26. Thus, 1914 was considered a significant date in biblical prophecies.

The 1914 Revelation and Its Impact

By early 1876, C. T. Russell had embraced these prophecies and reasoned that the seven times would end in A.D. 1914. This conclusion was reinforced in his article Gentile Times: When Do They End, which appeared in the October 1876 issue of The Bible Examiner. N. H. Barbour, in collaboration with Russell, published Three Worlds and the Harvest of This World in 1877, also confirming the significance of 1914.

Subsequent issues of The Watch Tower continued to reinforce the interpretation that 1914 was a pivotal year for biblical prophecies. The April 1912 issue, for instance, insistently pointed to this year as a critical point for the start of Jesus’ reign.

The Bible Students' confidence in these prophetic dates remained unwavering, even when full universal control of the Kingdom of God did not materialize by 1914. They maintained that 1914 marked a starting point, not an endpoint, for divine rulership.

Conclusion

Exploring the prophetic timeline leading to 1914 offers insight into the complexities of biblical interpretation and the development of religious movements. By examining the contributions of scholars like N. H. Barbour and C. T. Russell, we can better understand how the Jehovah's Witnesses arrived at their specific timing for Christ's invisible presence and the start of His kingdom.

For those interested in delving deeper into this fascinating history, additional resources and detailed discussions on the evolution of Jehovah's Witnesses' beliefs are available online.