The Harp of God

Joseph F. Rutherford

Introduction by Donna Morley: The Harp of God was written in 1921 by Joseph F. Rutherford, second President of the Watch Tower organization. Rutherford changed the groups name from “Bible Students” (also known as “Russellites”) to “Jehovah’s Witness.”

You will note on the introductory page of The Harp of God, that Rutherford wrote below the title, “Proof Conclusive that Millions now Living will never Die.” This statement, is the beginning of the false prophecy that this book contains. Having made this statement, first in 1918, and written here in 1921----99% of those people living back in this time are now dead. Those who are still alive (and will be dead within the decade) do not make up the number of “millions” as never dying. Those millions are gone. Sadly, they thought Rutherford was a spokesman for God.

Even as late as 1955, the Watch Tower confirmed the following:

"Jehovah Is in His Holy Temple:

Stirring up increasing interest in them,

Jehovah caused to be preached from 1918 onward

the startling public message

"Millions Now Living Will Never Die".

(The Watchtower, November 15, 1955, p. 698).

Here we credit the Watchtower as saying that it was Jehovah who said the millions will never die!

Also written in this book is Rutherford’s defense that the Lord’s second presence came in 1874. This 1874 prophecy (originally given by Charles Taze Russell) ended up being false.

To cover up the 1874 embarrassment, Russell prophesied that Christ’s return would actually be in 1914. When the J.W.’s didn’t see Christ’s return in 1914, Russell stated that Christ did indeed return, but that His return was “invisible.” From that point on, Witnesses have believed that Christ is actively here on earth ruling, invisibly, the Watch Tower organization.

I would like to ask our J.W. friends this: If most of the Watch Tower organization believes that the Lord came back “invisibly” in 1914, and Rutherford said in 1921 (after Russell’s death) that Christ came back in 1874, then, whose correct? Either one of them is correct, or both of them are wrong. What do you think? According to the Bible, both of them are wrong.

Christ says his physical return will be visible, for all to see. (Revelation 1;7, Matthew 24:20). Only false prophets say Christ is here (Matthew 24:23,24). False prophecies (such as the return of Christ) shows us that the Watch Tower organization is a false prophet. No one can predict the date of Christ’s return (Matthew 24:36).

Also in The Harp of God, you will find quotes about Christ being created by God the Father. As scripture shows, Jesus was from the beginning (John 1:1). No where in Scripture does it say Christ was created, but rather that He is eternal (Isaiah 9:6).

Because Witnesses misinterpret the Bible to show Christ was created, since He was “first born of every creature” (Colossians 1:15), I would like to ask my J.W. friends the following:

As you know, your New World Translation says that Christ is “firstborn from the dead” (Revelation 1:5). Therefore, does this mean He was the first to be raised from the dead?

We know that the answer is "No." We know he wasn’t. “Firstborn” speaks of Christ’s power, and Divinity—not that He was the first created being, or the first to be raised from the dead. He was from the beginning, just as the Father was (John 1:1), He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8).

Rutherford also teaches in The Harp of God, that Jesus did not appear in the same body He was crucified in. This is contrary to Thomas’ own witness of recognizing the nail prints in Christ’s hands and side, after His resurrection (John 20:24-28).

Also in this book, we can read about Rutherford’s (and Russell’s) view of hell. In The Harp of God, Rutherford writes, “the doctrine of eternal torment is a wicked defamation of Jehovah. It is a foul stain upon his lovable name” (1921, p. 91)

Jesus said of Hell: the “cursed” go to hell (Matthew 25:41; it’s a furnace of fire (Matthew 14:50; there will be “wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42); it’s forever (Mark 9:48; Revelation 14:11); it’s everlasting fire and punishment (Matthew 25:41, 46); the unrighteous cannot escape hell (Matthew 23:16, 17, 33) and more.

In regard to the existence of hell, who should we listen to, Joseph Rutherford or Jesus Christ? Who are we to believe about the soul, after death?

Rutherford says, in this book,

“Another of Satan's deceptions by which he has blinded the people is the teaching that the dead are still conscious after death. This is not supported by the Bible, however. Those who die are never again conscious unless they are resurrected by the Lord” (1921, p. 62).

The above statement is completely inaccurate. The Bible tells us that when the true followers are absent from the body, they are at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). And, for the believer, and the non-believer---all are fully conscious after death. We see the fully conscious non-believer in Hades (Luke 16:23-31); and we see them awaiting judgment at the great white throne (Revelation 20:11-15). We see in the transfiguration, where Moses and Elijah appear (Matthew 17:3); and, we see in the souls who had been slain because of the Word of God, fully conscious. (Revelation 6:9-11).

If you are a Jehovah’s Witness, I would like for you to read your president's work, The Harp of God. And as you read, think upon the following words:

“A religion that teaches lies cannot be true.”

(The Watch Tower on December 1, 1991, page 7.)

The Harp of God

by J. F. Rutherford

Proof Conclusive that

Millions now Living will never Die

A text-book for Bible study specially

adapted for use of beginners; with numerous

questions and Scripture citations

510,000 Edition

By J.F. Rutherford, Author of

"Can the Living Talk with the Dead?"

"Millions now Living will never Die!"