1925 Prophecy
Introduction by D.M. Two main things mark the 1925 prophecy: The end of the world, and the coming of a “righteous government,” with the Hebrews 11 men
resurrecting to help govern the new government under the Watchtower
organization, and Jesus Christ.
This thought was given much coverage, in 1925, when Rutherford wrote a
booklet entitled Millions Now Living Will Never Die (posted on this website). The
book warned everyone that the world would be destroyed in 1925, but that those
who joined the Watchtower organization would be spared. A righteous government
would form under the auspices of the Watch Tower Society. Joining this
government would be the resurrected Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others from the
pre-Christian era (p. 88).
As we know, the end of the world didn't come, nor did the Hebrews 11
crowd. No problem, Rutherford encouraged his followers by telling them the end
would indeed come--and soon! Conveniently, in 1925, the stock market crash was
a great opportunity to convince the devotees that the end was already at hand.
Rutherford stated in the Millions book (p. 88) that,
“Since other Scriptures definitely fix the fact that there will be a resurrection
of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and other faithful ones of old, and that these will
have the first favor, we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these
faithful men of Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected and fully
restored to perfect humanity and made the visible, legal representation of
the new order of things on earth.” (p. 88)
Also, written from Millions (p. 89-90) is
“As we have heretofore stated, the great jubilee cycle is due to begin in
1925. At that time the earthly phase of the kingdom shall be
recognized....Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the
return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the faithful prophets of old, particularly
those named by the Apostle in Hebrews chapter eleven, to the condition of
human perfection.”
On page 97, Rutherford states,
Based upon the argument heretofore set forth then, that the old order of
things, the old world, is ending and is therefore passing away, and that the
new order is coming in, and that 1925 shall mark the resurrection of the
faithful worthies of old and the beginning of reconstruction, it is reasonable
to conclude that millions of people now on the earth will be still on the earth
in 1925....Of course, it does not mean that every one will live; for some will
refuse to obey the divine law; but those who have been evil and turn again
to righteousness and obey righteousness shall live and not die.”
Lastly, one last comment in his Millions book (p. 106-107) is,
“And since the old order is passing away and the new is coming in, we can
with confidence proclaim the glad message that millions now living on earth
will be granted the opportunity for life everlasting and those who obey shall
never die, but shall be restored and live in happiness, joy and peace upon
the earth forever.”
While Rutherford’s Millions book, did speak much about the end of the world,
and the return of the Hebrews 11 men, it didn’t stop there. It actually started
surfacing earlier than that.
Take a look at the 1917 Watchtower (October 15, 1917, p. 6157),just weeks before
Russell’s death. It states 6157), states,
“Abraham should enter upon the actual possession of his promised inheritance in the year 1925 A.D.”
In 1918, in the Finished Mystery, p. 128, (written by Rutherford, but
“supposedly” posthumously by Russell), it states,
“No doubt Satan believed the Millennial Kingdom was due to be set up in
1915....Be that as it may, there is evidence that the establishment of the
Kingdom in Palestine will probably be in 1925, ten years later than we once
calculated” (italics, in original).
In 1922, written in The Watchtower (Sept. 1, 1922, p. 262), we can read,
“The physical facts show beyond question of a doubt that 1914 ended the
Gentile times....The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the
Scriptures because it is fixed by the law God gave to Israel
In 1923, The Watchtower (April 1, 1923, p. 106), in the section of Question and
Answer, the following is given:
Question: “Did the order go forth eight months ago to the Pilgrims [J.W.’s] to cease talking about 1925? Have we more reason, or as much, to believe the kingdom will be established in 1925 than Noah had to believe that there would be a flood?”
Answer: “....Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures....As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to
base his faith than Noah had (so far as the Scriptures reveal) upon which to
base his faith in a coming deluge.”
In 1924, The Watchtower (July 15, 1924, p. 211), we can read,
“The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly marked in the Scriptures, even more clearly than that of 1914.... (italics, in the original).
In 1925, The Watchtower (January 1, 1925, p. 3), told it’s followers:
“The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during the year. This may be accomplished. It may not be.” (italics, mine)
Do you notice that last line, in the above quote? At the beginning of 1925, The Watchtower was beginning to peddle themselves out of this prophecy....just in
case it didn’t come about.
Below, you can find all the above statements, in their originals, on the link,
below. Feel free to print them out, and put them in your notebook, in the section,
“1925 Prophecy.”
Click here to view: 1925 Prophecy
The following points are what we could share with the J.W.