Christ’s Coming and the Parousia:
THE FIRST DATE: 1874:
For over fifty years the Watchtower Society taught that Christ’s Second Coming or Return took place in 1874.
The Finished Mystery pp. 53,54 tells how Charles Taze Russell in 1868 began to meet with a “handful of Bible students” in Allegheny, Pa., They believed that Christ was returning visibly in 1874.
The Finished Mystery pp. 55. Pastor Russell called a meeting of all the ministers and shower them the Lord was presence and urged them to investigate and to proclaim the message. All of the ministers of two cities were present; all of them refused to believe.
He then explains how, “not long after their 1874 disappointment” they were shown how the Greek word in Matthew 24:27,37,39 for “coming” was “parousia” which could also be translated “presence”.
Matthew 24:27 NWT. 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.
Matthew 24:27 KJV. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:37 NWT. For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be.
Matthew 24:37 KJV. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:39 NWT. and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.
Matthew 24:39. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
“This was the clue” he records that led them to conclude that Christ had come in 1874 but it was invisible!
From this time forward the Society has taught that Christ’s Return is past and invisible.
This meant that the Resurrection was also past and invisible. (This was one of the heresies in the early Christian church. See 2 Timothy 2:18)
For over fifty years the Watchtower Society taught that Christ’s Second Coming or Return took place in 1874.
The Finished Mystery pp. 53,54 tells how Charles Taze Russell in 1868 began to meet with a “handful of Bible students” in Allegheny, Pa., They believed that Christ was returning visibly in 1874.
The Finished Mystery pp. 55. Pastor Russell called a meeting of all the ministers and shower them the Lord was presence and urged them to investigate and to proclaim the message. All of the ministers of two cities were present; all of them refused to believe.
He then explains how, “not long after their 1874 disappointment” they were shown how the Greek word in Matthew 24:27,37,39 for “coming” was “parousia” which could also be translated “presence”.
Matthew 24:27 NWT. 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.
Matthew 24:27 KJV. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:37 NWT. For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be.
Matthew 24:37 KJV. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:39 NWT. and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.
Matthew 24:39. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
“This was the clue” he records that led them to conclude that Christ had come in 1874 but it was invisible!
From this time forward the Society has taught that Christ’s Return is past and invisible.
This meant that the Resurrection was also past and invisible. (This was one of the heresies in the early Christian church. See 2 Timothy 2:18)
HERALDING THE “PRESENCE:
Pastor Russell believed God had raised him up to teach this truth, and this was the beginning and the reason for the existence of the Watchtower Society.
He then began to print a paper, “Zion’s Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.” Today it is just called “The Watchtower”.
However, no longer does the Society teach the 1874 date. After the “wise and discreet” slave taught it for fifty years, they acknowledged it was in error and phased it out.
THE 1914 DATE:
Pastor Russell believed God had raised him up to teach this truth, and this was the beginning and the reason for the existence of the Watchtower Society.
He then began to print a paper, “Zion’s Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.” Today it is just called “The Watchtower”.
However, no longer does the Society teach the 1874 date. After the “wise and discreet” slave taught it for fifty years, they acknowledged it was in error and phased it out.
THE 1914 DATE:
As late as 1929 the Society was still teaching the 1874 date. The book Prophecy (1929) pp.65-66: See Below.
Below is the Booklet called "The Object and Manner of Our Lord’s Return".
Problem! In 1929, fifteen years after 1914 the Society had still failed to see with its “spiritual” eyes that Christ had returned in 1914!
THE 1914 TEACHING TODAY:
In 1958, From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, p. 200:
“The King arrived in His glory A.D. 1914. “ (See below.)
THE 1914 TEACHING TODAY:
In 1958, From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, p. 200:
“The King arrived in His glory A.D. 1914. “ (See below.)
Finding this teaching difficult to uphold, the Society has found it necessary to alter its emphasis to Christ “turning His attention” towards the earth. In You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth (1989 ed.) p. 147:
“Christ’s return ... means that he takes Kingdom power towards this earth and turns his attention to it...”
“Christ’s return ... means that he takes Kingdom power towards this earth and turns his attention to it...”
Two other teachings connected with Christ’s return have also been changed recently:
A. The 1914 Generation. It is no longer taught they will see the End.
B. The Separating of the Sheep and the Goats. No longer is this the work of the “spiritual brothers”.
THE SIGNS - Is He Here or Near?
The Society teaches that the signs of Christ’s return show he is present here with us now.
However the Bible teaches the signs show Christ’s return is near:
1. Matthew 24:32 (NW) “when You see all these things, know that he is near at the doors.”
2. Verses 42,44 warn that one needs to be ready because they do not know when he will (future) arrive.
3. Jesus warned in verses 23,24 that in the last days there would be false prophets saying Christ was here?
The Watchtower Society fulfils this prophetic warning:
• claiming it is a prophet.
• admitting its false prophecies.
• teaching Christ is here!
CHRIST HAS NOT YET COME:
Jesus Christ did not return in either 1874 or 1914 because:
1. He will be seen:
1 John 3:2 “we shall see him”
Rev. 1: 7 “every eye will see him”
Matt. 24:30 “they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds with power and great glory.” The “they” are the wicked who do not have eyes of “spiritual understanding”.
Christ will be visibly seen coming in power and great glory!
A. The 1914 Generation. It is no longer taught they will see the End.
B. The Separating of the Sheep and the Goats. No longer is this the work of the “spiritual brothers”.
THE SIGNS - Is He Here or Near?
The Society teaches that the signs of Christ’s return show he is present here with us now.
However the Bible teaches the signs show Christ’s return is near:
1. Matthew 24:32 (NW) “when You see all these things, know that he is near at the doors.”
2. Verses 42,44 warn that one needs to be ready because they do not know when he will (future) arrive.
3. Jesus warned in verses 23,24 that in the last days there would be false prophets saying Christ was here?
The Watchtower Society fulfils this prophetic warning:
• claiming it is a prophet.
• admitting its false prophecies.
• teaching Christ is here!
CHRIST HAS NOT YET COME:
Jesus Christ did not return in either 1874 or 1914 because:
1. He will be seen:
1 John 3:2 “we shall see him”
Rev. 1: 7 “every eye will see him”
Matt. 24:30 “they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds with power and great glory.” The “they” are the wicked who do not have eyes of “spiritual understanding”.
Christ will be visibly seen coming in power and great glory!
2. The “Dead in Christ” are Raised and caught up “together with...”
This is an enormous problem for the Society and one it cannot answer:
I Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells how the “dead in Christ” are raised first at his “parousia” and those living are “caught away” “together with them” to “meet the Lord in the air”.
In 1914/1918 all those living of the heavenly class of the Society were not “caught away” then!
3. The Wicked were not Destroyed.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 says the wicked are destroyed at his coming/parousia.
See also Luke 17:26-30.
4. Memorial Service.
1 Corinthians 11:26.(NWT) It is to be celebrated only “until he arrives.”
5. Rewards given at His Coming. Rev.22:12 He rewards all then.
“PAROUSIA”
This is an enormous problem for the Society and one it cannot answer:
I Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells how the “dead in Christ” are raised first at his “parousia” and those living are “caught away” “together with them” to “meet the Lord in the air”.
In 1914/1918 all those living of the heavenly class of the Society were not “caught away” then!
3. The Wicked were not Destroyed.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 says the wicked are destroyed at his coming/parousia.
See also Luke 17:26-30.
4. Memorial Service.
1 Corinthians 11:26.(NWT) It is to be celebrated only “until he arrives.”
5. Rewards given at His Coming. Rev.22:12 He rewards all then.
“PAROUSIA”
This Greek word at the time of Christ was used for the visible arrival or visit of a royal person ie. Caesar.
In school today children respond to a roll call by saying “present”. In Greece they reply, “parousia”.
OTHER GREEK WORDS:
Many other Greek words besides “parousia” are used in the Bible for Christ’s Return.
Check the following references in the New World Bible and the Kingdom Interlinear Translation:
• Erchomai = coming/arrives. Matt. 24:30, Matt. 26:64, John 14:3, 1 Cor. 11:26, Rev 1:7
• Optomai = appears/made visible. Hebrews 9:28 see (NW) and (KIT)
• Hupostrepho = return. Luke 12:36
• Apokalupto = revelation. 2 Thess.1:7, I Pet. 1:7, Luke 17:29-30
• Epiphaneia = manifestation. I Tim. 6:14, 2 Tim.4:8, Titus 2:13
• Phaneroo = made manifest. I Peter 5:4
• Analuo = returns. Luke 12:36
• Heko = come. Revelation 2:25
Jesus’ arrival as a baby the first time was visible. His return in power and glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords will be dazzlingly visible!
In school today children respond to a roll call by saying “present”. In Greece they reply, “parousia”.
OTHER GREEK WORDS:
Many other Greek words besides “parousia” are used in the Bible for Christ’s Return.
Check the following references in the New World Bible and the Kingdom Interlinear Translation:
• Erchomai = coming/arrives. Matt. 24:30, Matt. 26:64, John 14:3, 1 Cor. 11:26, Rev 1:7
• Optomai = appears/made visible. Hebrews 9:28 see (NW) and (KIT)
• Hupostrepho = return. Luke 12:36
• Apokalupto = revelation. 2 Thess.1:7, I Pet. 1:7, Luke 17:29-30
• Epiphaneia = manifestation. I Tim. 6:14, 2 Tim.4:8, Titus 2:13
• Phaneroo = made manifest. I Peter 5:4
• Analuo = returns. Luke 12:36
• Heko = come. Revelation 2:25
Jesus’ arrival as a baby the first time was visible. His return in power and glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords will be dazzlingly visible!
