What Jehovah’s Witnesses Teach
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus’ return took place invisibly in 1914, marking the beginning of his heavenly presence as King. They base this understanding on the interpretation of the Greek word “parousia”, which is often translated as “coming”, but which JW believe means “presence”.
According to JW beliefs, Jesus’ invisible presence is manifested through signs in the world situation, such as wars, food shortages, and earthquakes, which they interpret as the fulfillment of the prophecies of the last days. Jehovah’s Witnesses further argue that it will be difficult for people all over the world to literally see Jesus coming at the same time. Furthermore, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that “the appointed times of the nations” ended in 1914, when Jesus took up his heavenly kingship. This is in line with the 1914 teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
What the Bible Says
Jesus’ resurrection has a direct connection with his return, since he would come again in the same way that his disciples saw him ascend to heaven. It is important to understand that the purpose of Jesus’ return to earth is because he will stay on earth for 1000 years so that he can lead the earthly part of God’s government. There will be no doubt about where Jesus comes from, since all eyes will see him (Revelation 1:7). After the resurrection, Jesus showed himself physically to his disciples, as confirmed at Luke 24:39, where he says: “Behold my hands and my feet, it is indeed I. Touch me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” This emphasizes that Jesus’ resurrection was physical and not just spiritual. This physical resurrection forms the basis for the expectation that his return will be just as visible.
Furthermore, Acts 3:21 affirms that Jesus will only be in heaven “until the time when all the things that God spoke through his prophets of old will be restored.” This limits the time that Jesus is in heaven between his first visit to earth and to Jesus, next stay on earth in the future.
The Bible shows that Jesus’ coming will be visible to all mankind, not hidden. Acts 1:9-11 describes how Jesus left his disciples and ascended into heaven: “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come again, just as you saw him go up into heaven.” Furthermore, Matthew 24:30 says, “Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the peoples of the earth will break out in mourning, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Jesus’ return is an event that the whole world will be able to observe. Revelation 1:7 confirms this: “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him.”
Jesus warns against the belief in a hidden return. In Matthew 24:23-27, he says: “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. Look! I have forewarned you. Therefore, if people say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over to the west, so the presence of the Son of man will be”
This warning makes it clear that Jesus’ coming will not be hidden or local, but like lightning – clear and visible to all.
As for JWs argument that it would be impossible for all people to see Jesus at the same time at a physical return, this is a human limitation that does not apply to God. The Bible describes Jesus after His resurrection as having a glorious body that is not bound by physical laws (John 20:19). Such a body can allow him to be seen by the whole world at the same time, regardless of time zones and geographical limitations. Such an understanding is supported by Revelation 1:7, which says that “every eye will see him.”
Jesus’ coming is connected with the expiration of “the appointed times of the nations”
Regarding “the appointed times of the nations,” Luke 21:24 refers to “Jerusalem being trampled down by the nations until the appointed times of the nations are completed.” It is not a hidden event that took place in 1914, but the period from the time when Jerusalem was destroyed in the year 70 (trampled sown by the nations) until Jesus ends and removes the nations’ power over the earth in Armageddon. We know that the appointed times of the nations have not yet expired, because humans still have power over the earth today. The period of rule by the nations has not expired yet. Matthew 24:29–31 describes the events leading up to this, including heavenly signs and the visible coming of the Son of man. This marks the end of the rule of the nations and the beginning of the Messianic 1000-year kingdom, during which Jesus reigns as King.
To say that the appointed times of the nations expired in 1914 lacks Scriptural basis. Instead, the Bible shows that this period is completed when the governments of the nations are removed and God’s Kingdom takes full control. This is in harmony with Revelation 11:15, which says: “The seventh angel blew his trumpet. And there were loud voices in heaven, saying: “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.” This event takes place after Armageddon and marks the beginning of Jesus’ visible and direct rule over the earth.
By interpreting Jesus’ return as invisible in 1914, Jehovah’s Witnesses adapt the Bible’s message to harmonize with JWs own 1914 doctrine. However, the Bible itself provides clear descriptions of Jesus’ visible return.
JEHOVAHS WITNESSES TIME CALCULATIONS – 1914
What Jehovah’s Witnesses Teach
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus Christ began ruling as King in heaven in October 1914. This marks the start of the last days of the present world system. Jesus invisible presents in 1914 causes events such as world wars, famines, and earthquakes. JW believe that these happenings confirm the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew chapter 24.
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus began ruling in heaven in 1914, he inspected Christians from 1914 to 1919 and in 1919 appointed “the faithful and discreet slave” to provide spiritual food for his servants on earth. JW call this “slave” the Governing Body. This board claim that they have been given the authority and legitimacy to issue guidelines on behalf of Jesus that will tell Christians how to live in order to meet the Scriptural requirements. The literature of the Governing Body constitutes the religious teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The authority of the Governing Body to publish its own publications beyond the Bible is legitimized by the fact that they make a 1914-1919 chronology. Interestingly, this approach makes Jehovah’s Witnesses very similar to other major denominations that base their teachings on their own texts and not solely on the Bible. The Mormons have the Book of Mormon, the Muslims have the Koran, the Catholics have church teachings, the Jews have the Tanakh and the Talmud, and Jehovah’s Witnesses have the Watchtower. This is despite the fact that all these denominations say they believe in the Bible.
Another teaching that relies on the 1914 teachings is the teaching of Jehovah’s Witnesses about “this generation” at Matthew 24:34: “Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen.” Jehovah’s Witnesses interpret this as a prophetic indication of the time frame for the end. The doctrine is closely linked to the understanding of 1914.
The bases for the 1914 doctrine is primarily related to Daniel chapter 4 and the concept of “seven times.” Jehovah’s Witnesses interpret this as a prophetic time period of 2,520 years. Their calculation begins in 607 BCE, the year they believe Jerusalem was destroyed, and ends in 1914 CE.
JW also try to link Luke 21:24 i to this understanding. Here Jesus mentions “the appointed times of the nations” which JWs interpret as a period when human kings ruled instead of God’s Kingdom. When this period ended in 1914, they believe that Jesus began his heavenly reign.
What the Bible teaches
Jesus received power in 33 C.E. and this is clearly shown in Matthew 28:18 where Jesus immediately after His resurrection affirmed: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.” (Ephesians 1:20,21, Philippians 2:2:9,10, Matthew 28:18) . The text is not to be misunderstood, Jesus’ authority applies both in heaven and on earth (1. Corinthians 15:27).
Although Jesus has received all power, Jesus is still subject to Jehovah God (1. Corinthians 15:27,28). Power over the earth has been delegated to humans for the time being, and Jesus will not begin to reign over the earth until the 1000-year kingdom, see Romans 13:1,3 and John 19:11. The article Jehovah’s judgements explains why Jesus will not start his government on earth before the 1000-year kingdom.
In view of this, there is no need to discuss the 1914 calculation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jesus did not say “I will receive the power in 1914”, but he stated in the year 33 that he already received the power. Still, there are several challenges with JWs calculation, and I would like to point these out.
Lack of explicit support in the Bible:
Bible does not directly mention that the “seven times” in Daniel chapter 4 are to be understood as a prophecy of Jesus’ kingship or that the period amounts to 2,520 years. This number is not found in the Bible. On the contrary, Daniel 12:4 says that the prophecies should be hidden until the time of the end and understood only in or after its fulfillment, see Matthew 24:33.
Daniel chapter 4 is specifically about Nebuchadnezzar and his humiliation, with no direct connection to Christ’s reign. In Revelation 22:18, the prophecies warn that “If anyone makes an addition to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll” Introducing an interpretation such as the 1914 teachings, without explicit support in the Bible, can be understood as going beyond what is written. In the 2. Peter 1:20-21 says that no prophecy is a man’s own thoughts, but that they were spoken under the inspiration of God’s holy spirit. No human being today is under such inspiration, and it is only the holy scriptures that are inspired. When we try to make connections between scriptures that Bible does not invite us to do, we speak “the thoughts of men” and risk replacing God’s Word with human speculation.
Uncertain historical dating:
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ calculations start in 607 BCE, which they claim was the year of Jerusalem’s destruction. However, most historians and archaeological sources date this event to 587/586 BCE. This creates a 20-year discrepancy that undermines the calculation of 2,520 years up either 1 894 or 1914. There is broad academic agreement that 587/586 BCE is the correct date for the fall of Jerusalem. This conclusion is supported by several independent sources, including Babylonian administrative texts, astronomical calculations, and cross-references from contemporary civilizations. Despite the scientific agreement about 587/586, Jehovah’s witnesses stick to the choice of 607. Otherwise the whole 1914-teaching will collapse. This weakens the credibility of the teachings and the basis for their understanding of this prophecy.
Jesus’ warning against time calculations:
The apostle Paul wrote in 1. Thessalonians 5:1,2 that it was not necessary to give information to Christians about “the times and the time periods” because “the day of Jehovah is coming just like a thief in the night.” Still, trying to calculate these times and time periods shows a lack of respect for what the Bible itself says about this. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus says, “But no one knows that day and hour, neither the angels of heaven nor the Son, but only My Father.” Attempting to predict the timeframes of Jesus’ return can be considered going against this warning.
Understanding the signs of the times:
Although Jesus mentioned ‘signs’ of his presence in Matthew chapter 24, his main focus was on staying alert, not on calculating dates. It doesn’t make sense for Christians to watch for the signs if they could simply calculate in advance when the end would come. The Bible itself says that humans cannot know the timing.
What significance does this error have for the practice of the Christian faith
When the doctrine of 1914 rely on uncertain assumptions, it can create serious challenges.
In 1. Timothy 1:4,5, Paul writes that speculating in this way leads us away from the basic doctrine of love. It says:
… and not be concerned with false stories and genealogies. This does not lead to anything useful, but only to speculation, and it has nothing to do with what God gives to strengthen faith.
In Matthew 15:9, Jesus said of the Pharisees, “It is in vain that they keep worshipping me, for they teach commands of men as doctrines.”
The doctrine of 1914 also forms the basis for other doctrines such as the doctrine about this generation and the doctrine of the “faithful and discreet slave”. The one speculation is connected to the other speculation and leads to misunderstandings in other areas that depend on this teaching. This leads a Christian away from the faith.
Historically, false expectations have often led to disappointment and weakened others faith.