DISCLAIMER: I have used other websites to access written material for this topic.  This does not mean that I agree with or support opinions and views expressed on those websites.

 

There is no doubt whatsoever that those who call themselves ‘Jehovah’s witnesses’ today, belong to the same organisation that was founded by Charles Taze Russell in the 1800’s.  This movement was once known as ‘Millennial Dawnism’.  Modern J.W’s prefer to tell people that their beginnings were in the midst of an interdenominational Bible study group whom they refer to as ‘The Bible students’.  This, so-called group of ‘sincere Bible students’ were actually a small band of people who had been convinced to follow Charles Taze Russell.  So obvious was his control over those who followed him, that it was common for those outside the cult to refer to it as ‘Russellism’.   Mr. Russell was a self-proclaimed prophet, who told people that he could accurately predict the return of Jesus Christ by means of special insight into Scripture, and by taking measurements from the ‘Great Pyramid of Gizeh’.  It sounds absurd now, but many were persuaded that his ‘prophesy’ was true, until it’s date for fulfillment came and went without event.  He then revised his predictions.  His first prediction for the return of the Lord Jesus was the year 1874. HE WAS WRONG!   In his last revised prophesy, the return of Christ was pushed back to 1914.  HE WAS WRONG AGAIN! (You can read about this topic in detail in the next chapter - 'The Return Of Christ') 

 

Mr. Russell’s summation of other churches was as follows;

“The great human systems called churches have never been more than nominally the church.  They all belong to a false system which counterfeits, misrepresents, and hides from the world the true church, which is composed only of fully consecrated and faithful believers who trust in the merit of the one great sacrifice for sins.”

Of course, “the true Church” that Mr. Russell referred to, was completely made up of people who followed Mr. Russell himself.  He went on to tell us more about the other churches:  “Confusion reigns in them all, and the name ‘Babylon’ aptly fits the entire family – mother Rome, daughters, and accomplices, the nations styled Christendom…. With all her boasted civil and ecclesiastical power, with her assumed dignity, wealth, titles, influence, will be cast into the sea (the restless sea of ungovernable people), to rise no more.  Her destruction will be fully accomplished by the end of the appointed Times of the Gentiles, ie. By 1915.”  (source; Why Not “Russellism”.  By Frank Ballard,  Forgotten Books, Dalton House, 60 Windsor Ave. London)  

 

Regardless of what we may think of any 'church'; the simple fact is that their destruction was not fully accomplished by 1915.  So, once again: CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL WAS WRONG!   Yet on their official website, the J.W’s still admit that this man, “took the lead in their Bible education”.(JW.Org)

 

As I have already mentioned, the J.W’s of today make an effort to distance themselves from the embarrassment of their founder’s failed prophecies.  However, the following pages will show that he was in fact, their founder and the first president of their ‘Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society’, and that they continue to deceive themselves with variations of his teachings.

 

This is the official version of the origin of the J.W’s, from their own website.  “The modern-day organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses began at the end of the 19th century. At that time, a small group of Bible students who lived near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States, began a systematic analysis of the Bible. They compared the doctrines taught by the churches with what the Bible really teaches. They began publishing what they learned in books, newspapers, and the journal that is now called The Watchtower—Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.

Among that group of sincere Bible students was a man named Charles Taze Russell. While Russell took the lead in the Bible education work at that time and was the first editor of The Watchtower, he was not the founder of a new religion. The goal of Russell and the other Bible Students, as the group was then known, was to promote the teachings of Jesus Christ and to follow the practices of the first-century Christian congregation. Since Jesus is the Founder of Christianity, we view him as the founder of our organization.” (JW.Org)  

It is already well established that those in the first century Christian congregation did not refer to themselves as God's 'witnesses', neither did they go around knocking on doors preaching to people.  So 'the goal of Russell' - 'to follow the practices of the first century congregation', was completely missed due to a lack of faith and a complete misunderstanding of God's word. 

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It was Mr Russell’s claim; that no one could truly understand scripture without his guidance.  It is also made clear in the following excerpt, that all who belonged to the organisation were required to believe Mr. Russell's 'Scripture studies' over the Bible itself. 

 

  “The whole attitude cannot be more fairly or truly expressed than in Pastor Russell’s own words – from The Watchtower of September 15, 1910:-

‘If the six volumes of the Scripture studies are practically the Bible topically arranged, we might not improperly name them ‘The Bible in an arranged form’; that is to say, they are not merely comments on the Bible, but they are practically the Bible itself, since there is no desire to build any doctrine or thought on any individual preference, or any individual wisdom, but to present the entire matter on the lines of the Word of God.

Furthermore, not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the bible by itself, but we see also that if anyone lays these scripture studies aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, if he has read them for ten years – if he then lays them aside and ignores them, and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood the Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness.  On the other hand, if he has merely read these Scripture studies with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, he would be in the light at the end of two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures.’ 

  Upon this deliverance Dr. R.A. Torrey – who will not be accused of pandering to modern views or new theology – says:- ‘When any man makes such a claim as this, it is unnecessary to read or listen to anything more that he has to say.  By such a statement he proves himself to be a charlatan and a religious imposter.  This is simply the old Papal error in a new form.’    (source; Why Not “Russellism”.  By Frank Ballard,  Forgotten Books, Dalton House, 60 Windsor Ave. London)

 

Regardless of what they now claim.  It is obvious to all, that Charles Taze Russell was the founder of their religion.  As it is made clear in his own declaration; the members of his organisation were required to give more credence to his teachings than to 'the Bible alone'.  Does this attitude 'promote the teachings of Jesus Christ' as they claim?  The Lord Jesus Christ did not tell those who followed him to wait for a latter day 'prophet'.  He told them that they would be guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit:  "But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13)  This promise was not only for the apostles but for all whom the Lord our God would call:  "Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:38-39)  And again, in the words of the Lord himself; "It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’  Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me." (John 6:45)  Rather than promoting the the teachings of Jesus Christ, Charles Taze Russell denied the Lord, by drawing men to himself instead.  For the Lord Jesus clearly said, "they will all be taught by God".  The Lord did not tell people to start a 'systematic analysis of the Bible', but to come to him - as he clearly warned the Pharisees; "You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.  You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that in them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." (John 5:37-40) (read more about this topic in 'The Word Of God And Church')

 

With these things in mind, we might well ask the following question: Outside of his so-called ‘prophesies’ and misguided dogma - what sort of a man was Charles Taze Russell?

 

The following excerpt is from a leaflet written about Charles Taze Russell, by the Rev. J. J. Ross, of Hamilton Ontario, in 1912.  Anyone who cares to know the truth about Mr. Russell would benefit from reading the entire paper, along with the transcript from the ensuing court proceedings:  

 

‘Years ago he gave himself the title of "Pastor" and from this many have inferred that he was a properly approved minister of the gospel.  In 1879, he married Miss Marie F. Ackley, who divorced him a few years ago on the ground of cruelty and of having wrong relations with other women.  In court, she proved improprieties between her husband and one Rose Ball. Mrs. Russell is now living at Ava-Ion, Pa.

"Pastor" Russell was in Toronto a few weeks ago and announced himself as the head and "president" of the so-called "International Bible Students' Association," with head office in London, England. When he first began his propaganda his headquarters were in Alleghany, Pa.  In course of time, he was successful in building up an elaborate publishing establishment in Pittsburgh, which he called "Zion's  Watch  Tower."  In a worldly way things went well with him for a time.  Then he gave the name "Millennial Dawn" to his publications.  The stories of the divorce proceedings got into circulation about him, and his business suffered.  Wishing to frustrate the verdict of the court in giving his wife alimony, he changed the names of his publications to "Studies in the Scriptures," and transferred the head office to Brooklyn, N. Y., where it is at the present time.  Since taking this new location the institution is known as "The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society," "The London and Brooklyn Tabernacles," "The People's Pulpit," and now the "International Bible Students' Association."  It comes out that these names separately and together are appellations bestowed by Russell upon himself, and his followers.  By the name "International Bible Students Association," the public is deceived into thinking that the institution is international in extent, that the governments of the world are behind it, and that it is made up of accredited representatives of all the denominations and theological colleges, when in fact the name stands only for the followers of one man, and not a scholar at that.   That appellation is, therefore, a misnomer.  Its purpose and use is to deceive the public.  The opinion of that organization (if it be an organization) is the opinion of one man.

At the present time, the "Brooklyn Eagle" has its talons in Russell, and shows him to be a most undesirable citizen.  Many other papers, both secular and sacred, on both sides of the line, are compelling him to stand forth in the limelight in his true colors.  By "The Brooklyn Eagle," he stands charged with defrauding his wife of her dower interest, with having his name sensationally connected with those of other women, with giving himself out as an interdenominationalist, when, in fact, he is connected with none, but opposed to all, with publishing himself as giving addresses to great crowds in important places, where he has not spoken a word at all, with seeking to dupe certain ministers into supporting daring transactions, with being connected with lead, asphalt and turpentine companies, with selling or causing to be sold "Miracle Wheat," at $60 a bushel, with influencing the sick and dying to make their wills in his favor, with engineering the sale of a property worth $35,000 for $50 for the purpose of defrauding another.  These are sins no man would care to have charged against him, and yet they are publicly accredited to this "Pastor" Russell, the "President" of the so- called "International Bible Students' Association,"’  (Some Facts and More Facts about the Self Styled ‘Pastor’ Charles T. Russell.  By Rev. J. J. Ross - BOOK DEPARTMENT. Philadelphia School of the Bible, Inc. 1721-23 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia, Pa. source www.watchtower/documents.org).

 

When this pamphlet was published, Mr. Russell had a summons issued for defamatory libel against Rev. Ross, but then failed to appear on the due court date.  Instead, he wrote to Rev. Ross, urging him to apologise.  The Rev. Ross refused to apologise, and Mr. Russell was finally compelled to appear in a U.S. court.  Mr. Russell was found to have lied under oath about his education, his qualifications, his business dealings and holdings, his knowledge of the Greek language, and his divorce from his wife.  The proceedings against Rev. Ross were thrown out of court based on the testimony of Charles Taze Russell himself.  He was found to be a man of very limited integrity.

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While the J.W's now downplay the role of their founder; the same attitude (that no-one can understand Scripture without their guidance) prevails in their midst to this day.  In the following 'Mission statements' from their ‘Awake’ magazines, we can see how their representation of their founder’s prophesy has changed over the years.  But this is only because the time for the fulfillment of his prophesies has passed.  We can read their claims in the following mission statements.

 

“Aug. 8 1964  “Awake!” pledges itself to righteous principles, to exposing hidden foes and subtle dangers, to championing freedom for all, to comforting mourners and strengthening those disheartened by the failures of a delinquent world, reflecting sure hope for the establishment of God’s righteous new order in this generation.

Get acquainted with “Awake!” Keep awake by reading “Awake!””

 

“Jan. 8 1977  “Awake!” is for the enlightenment of the entire family. It reports the news, tells about people in many lands, examines religion and science. But it does more. It probes beneath the surface and points to the real meaning behind current events, yet it stays politically neutral and does not exalt one race above another. It also shows how to cope with today’s problems. Most importantly, “Awake!” builds confidence in the Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new order within our generation”

 

“Jun. 8 1983.  AWAKE! is for the enlightenment of the entire family. It shows how to cope with today’s problems. It reports the news, tells about people in many lands, examines religion and science. But it does more. It probes beneath the surface and points to the real meaning behind current events, yet it stays politically neutral and does not exalt one race above another.

Most importantly, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure New Order before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.”

 

“Jan. 8 1991 through to Oct. 22 1995.  Why Awake! Is Published Awake! is for the enlightenment of the entire family. It shows how to cope with today’s problems. It reports the news, tells about people in many lands, examines religion and science. But it does more. It probes beneath the surface and points to the real meaning behind current events, yet it always stays politically neutral and does not exalt one race above another. Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.”

 

We can see that the timetable for their ‘peaceful and secure new order’ has been moved as the dates for it's fulfilment continued to pass.  We were clearly told in 1964, then again in 1977, that God’s ‘new order’ would be established ‘in this generation’.   Then in 1991, the J.W’s boldly predicted that there would be ‘a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away.’

It is obvious to us all that ‘the generation that saw the events of 1914’ has now passed away.  We are clearly not in 'a peaceful and secure new world'.  Still, the J.W.’s will not admit their mistakes.  They simply (once again) altered their printed material, and as we can see in the following version, the timetable was deleted completely:

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“Jan. 8 2002 – Dec. 2012.  THIS JOURNAL IS PUBLISHED for the enlightenment of the entire family. It shows how to cope with today’s problems. It reports the news, tells about people in many lands, examines religion and science. But it does more. It probes beneath the surface and points to the real meaning behind current events, yet it always stays politically neutral and does not exalt one race above another. Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things. “

(source for above excepts, AVOID JW .ORG)

 

Are they being genuine?  Would anyone join their organisation if they told people honestly about all the false prophesies they have published in the past?  It is highly doubtful that anyone would.