History of Jehovah’s Witnessed Chronicled in 750 page book,Book Reviewed

[Guest Kurt]

Jehovah’s Witnesses Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom is a 750 page book that is published by Jehovah’s Witnesses which gives a detailed history of the history of the organization and organizational structure; various schools; assemblies and programs; literature; as well as a section on persecution, and problems that the organization has itself experienced. The reference work is very detailed and is complete and includes a six pages of chronological history from 1870 to 1992. It has 33 chapters, as well as a 24 page Index.

Even though it was written by Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves, it does not skip over or omit problems throughout the modern history of Jehovah’s Witnesses of about 140 years, but it presents an honest account of even the weaker areas, and failures of the organization in addition to providing a positive and factual account of the history; roots, and integrity of thousands who have been persecuted for their beliefs. While the present-day might be somewhat outdated, having been written seventeen years ago, the reference takes you far enough along in the modern day history, to bring the reader up to the present stages of development in the religious practices and beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Also featured are hundreds of photos and illustrations, including a one page photo section of the Governing Body who were alive at that time. Two members of the Governing Body in 1992 are still alive. The present Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, nine members, is for the large part new; with the exception of the two surviving members who currently still serve on the Governing Body. For those doing research on Jehovah’s Witnesses, or has questions related to the the history of the organization or its structure, it is an honest and complete reference work. It is a good addition to college or university library and can give the reader or researcher a point of reference whereby he or she can verify statements that he or she may have heard or read concerning Jehovah’s Witnesses; or get background information surrounding those points.

It is modestly and factually written; and is not self-aggrandizing in any way. It also contains Biblical background for the history of Christianity, the persecution experienced, and a brief summation of the Bible’s theme.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are largely known for their zealous preaching, which they continue to do in imitation of first century Christians and especially in the post-WWI era until today, and an account of the reasons for that work, as well as how and what it has accomplished is detailed in this reference work. Jehovah’s Witnesses consider themselves to be, and are generally considered to be, fully a Christian religion, basing their beliefs and worship on the teachings of Jesus Christ and his Jesus and his life course and his ministry. It is believed that the theme of Jesus preaching was God’s Kingdom according to the Christian Greek Scriptures and so the title of this book, “Jehovah’s Witnesses, Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom.”

“This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14, Jesus Christ.

This article was written by John Scott, a writer who has a BA in Social Science from Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ.

 

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Book Reviewed:

-WONDERFUL!!! :-)

-Great book and a must have in the library of any one of Jehovah's Witnesses!!! I just LOVED it, and I thank Jehovah for it. He gave of his word the Bible and now he provides great spiritual food through his faithful and discreet slave, which is based on the Bible. I am SOO happy

- This 1993 publication of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society provides a very detailed, beautifully illustrated history of their organization.

Here are some quotations from the book:

"Since Moses evidently write the book of Job, he had some discernment on the issue between God and Satan." (Pg. 17)
"At an early point in his study of the Bible, C.T. Russell saw clearly that hell is not a place of torment for souls after death. He was most likely helped in this by George Storrs, editor of 'The Bible Examiner,' whom Brother Russell mentioned with warm appreciation in his writings..." (Pg. 126-127)
"But that 'alarm clock' had not gone off too soon. Actually, it was the experiences to which the 'clock' had awakened them that were not exactly what they expected." (Pg. 136)
"Over a decade later, however, Brother Russell's wife publicly expressed the idea that Russell himself was the faithful and wise servant. *(Sadly, it was only a short time after this that she parted from him because of her own desire for personal prominence.) The view that she voiced concerning the identity of the 'faithful servant' came to be generally held by the Bible Students for some 30 years. Brother Russell did not reject their view, but he personally avoided making such an application of the text... The understanding expressed by Brother Russell in 1881 that the faithful and wise servant was in reality a collective servant, made up of all the members of the spirit-anointed body of Christ on earth, was reaffirmed in ... 1927." (Pg. 143)
"With the rise of Adolf Hitler to power in Germany, a wave of patriotic hysteria swept the world... In Germany everyone was required to give a prescribed salute and cry out, 'Heil Hitler!'... But Jehovah's Witnesses could not join in such sentiments. They knew that their worship must go only to Jehovah and that He had raised up Jesus Christ as mankind's Savior." (Pg. 196)
"But for a time, certain holidays were not given the careful scrutiny that they needed. One of these was Christmas. This holiday was celebrated yearly even by members of the Watchtower Society's headquarters staff ... For many years they had been aware that December 25 was not the correct date, but they reasoned that the date had long been popularly associated with the birth of the Savior and that doing good for others was proper on any day. However, after further investigation of the subject, the members of the Society's headquarters staff... decided to stop sharing in Christmas festivities, so no Christmas celebration was held there after 1926." (Pg. 198-200)
"For years, Bible Students wore a cross and crown as a badge of identification, and this symbol was on the front cover of the 'Watch Tower' from 1891 to 1931. But in 1928 it was emphasized that not a decorative symbol but one's activity as a witness showed he was a Christian. In 1936 it was pointed out that the evidence indicates that Christ died on a stake, not a two-beamed cross." (Pg. 200)
"Following a devastating hurricane in southern Florida, U.S.A., in 1992, the well-organized relief program of the Witnesses was so well-known that some business establishments and individuals who were not Witnesses and who wanted to make significant donations of relief supplies turned these over to the Witnesses." (Pg. 315)
"Each congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses has suitable contribution boxes where people can put whatever donations they desire--when they wish to do so and if they can. It is handled in a private manner so that others are not usually aware of what a person may do. It is between him and God. There are no salaries to be paid, but it does cost money to maintain a meeting place. In order to fill that need, members of the congregation have to be informed... (but) congregation meetings do not include frequent discussions of financial matters." (Pg. 343)
"Those who are accepted for special full-time service at the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses all subscribe to a vow of poverty, as have all members of the Governing Body and all the other members of the Bethel family there. This does not mean that they live a drab life, without any comforts. But it does mean that they share, withour partiality, the modest provisions of food, shelter, and expense reimbursement that are made for all in such service." (Pg. 351)
"This (New World) translation was assigned to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania for publication, with the request that the names of the translators never be published. They wanted all honor to go to Jehovah God, the Divine Author of his inspired Word." (Pg. 608)
"Joseph F. Rutherford, the new president of the Watch Tower Society, was not the sort of man (R.E.B.) Nicholson thought should have the position of oversight that Brother Russell had occupied. Nicholson became openly critical of the blunt manner in which new Bible study material denounced false religion. Before long he left the organization..." (Pg. 624)
"Many who were sifted out at that time clung to the view that a single individual, Charles Taze Russell, was the 'faithful and wise servant'... The Watch Tower itself set forth this view for a number of years... However, as the light of truth progressively shone more brightly after Brother Russell's death... it became evident that the 'faithful and wise servant' ... had not passed off the scene when Brother Russell died." (Pg. 626)
"This later led to the idea... that since the seventh millennium of human history would begin in 1975, events associated with the beginning of Christ's Millennial Reign might start to take place then. Did the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses on these matters prove to be correct?... some of their time calculations and the expcetations that they associated with these gave rise to serious disappointments. Following 1925, meeting attendance dropped dramatically in some congregations... Again, in 1975, there was disappointment when expectations regarding the start of the Millennium failed to materialize. Again, some withdrew from the organization." (Pg. 633)
"In 1879, Charles Taze Russell married Maria Frances Ackley... She sought to secure for herself a stronger voice in directing what would appear in the Watch Tower... in November 1897 she left him. Nevertheless, he provided her with a place to live and means of maintenance. Years later, after court proceedings that had been initiated by her in 1903, she was awarded, in 1908, a judgment, not of absolute divorce, but of divorce from bed and board, with alimony. Having failed to force her husband to acquiesce to her demands, she put forth great effort after she left him to bring his name into disrepute." (Pg. 645)
"There were so many violent attacks upon Jehovah's Witnesses that Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt ... pleaded with the public to desist." (Pg. 670)

- This is a fantastic book on the history of JWs. But the pple who currently have this book likely got it for free because JW literature has not set price.

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