Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
and
Anna Eliza Russell. He had great difficulty in dealing with the doctrine of eternal hell fire
and in his studies came to deny not only eternal punishment, but also the Trinity, and the
deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
In 1872, a pastor named Charles Taze Russell (18521916), organized an inconspicuous
Bible Study Group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In 1879 he sought to popularize his aberrant ideas on doctrine. He founded Zion's Watch
Tower Tract Society (now known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society).
Russell claimed that the Bible could be only understood according to his interpretations.
Subsequently, the Society decided to drop the word "Zion's" from its name, that depicted
a sort of affiliation with Israel. The movement adopted the name Watch Tower Bible and
Tract Society. In 1931, the movement adopted the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" which has
remained unchanged to this date.
The word "Jehovah" means the God of Israel.
Jehovah is the Supreme Being
Jesus is the son of Jehovah, the first created being, but is separate from Jehovah
Christ is believed to have existed in a state like the Archangel Michael. He later took
human form as a man but he was sinless at birth and remained sinless throughout his life.
Christ was resurrected as a nonmaterial, glorious spirit. He was enthroned by Jehovah as
King and ruler over all creation, and "given all authority in heaven and on earth.”
The Holy Ghost is not a separate entity, but is simply energy and is the method by which
God interacts with the world.
In 1876, pastor Russell wrote an interesting article based upon one of the belief of a
“KINGDOM OF JEHOVAH.” This article entitled; 'Gentile Times: When do they End?',
appeared in the October 1876 issue of Bible Examiner. On page 27 of that issue, referring
to the Gospel of Luke 21: 24, the founding president predicted that the "Seven Times will
end in A.D. 1914". However, the expected KINGDOM OF JEHOVAH did not come.
None of the events concerning Jerusalem, mentioned in Luke 21: 24 happened in the year
1914. The Society then concluded that the predicted year was to be a turning point in
human history and not the end of the "Seven Times". Two years later, pastor Russell died.
(23) “But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days!
For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. (24) And they
shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and
Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be
fulfilled. (25) And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and
upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (26)
Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things, which are coming
on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (27) And then shall they see the
Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (28) And when these things
begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth
nigh.”