Jude 1:7 - Example of Eternal Fire

Russell Questioned His Faith

Hope of Life After Death (w)

What Did Charles Taze Russell Stand For?

Russell gave a summation of his beliefs, what he stood for, in the January 15, 1912 issue of the Watch Tower, page 28:

Did Charles Taze Russell Deny the Bible Doctrine of Hell?

Russell Was Never the President of the Jehovah's Witnesses

Strange Prophecy of Jehovah's Witnesses & the Giza Pyramid

One has posted a lot of misleading information about Charles Taze Russell as related to Russell's Biblical study of what he believed to be "God's Stone Witness in Egypt". Much of what is stated in the blog appears to have been copied from other sources, so the author may not have been actually aware that what he has presented misrepresents the truth.

(1) It is falsely claimed that Charles Taze Russell is the founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Those who are truly familiar with Russell's works know that Russell did believe in such an organization as the Jehovah's Witnesses; in fact, he preached against the idea of any central authority other than Jesus and the apostles and he preached against the idea that any outward organization has any scriptural claim to be the true church. Please note that the owner of this site is not with the Jehovah's Witnesses, nor does he seek to defend that organization.

For links to related research, see:
Russell Vs. the Jehovah's Witnesses

(2) The statement is made that Russell used the Great Pyramid of Giza for making Biblical prophetic predictions. This statement is actually false, since Russell did not use the Great Pyramid as the source of his conclusions, but rather he used the Bible itself. God's Witness in Egypt is not a source of prophecy, but it does corroborate Biblical prophecies and the Biblical chronology.

For links to related research, see:

Charles Taze Russell - Not a Prophet
Russell and the Great Pyramid

(3) It is claimed that Russell's study of the Great Pyramid sounds like the occultic new age type of thinking. This is false, since neither Russell's Biblical study of prophecy nor his study of how the Great Pyramid corroborates the Bible have nothing at all do with the Satanic occultism, or Satan's "New Age" ideas.

For links to related research, see:

Russell and the Occult

(4) It is stated that the use of pyramids for prophecy is unBiblical. As stated, we agree, and we are also sure that Russell would have agreed with that statement -- as it is stated. However, the intent of the statement is misleading regarding at least three points: (a) the reference to "pyramids" (plural) does not apply to Russell, since his interest was only in one pyramid he believed to be God's witness in Egypt; (b) the phrase "for prophecy" does not apply to Russell since he did not look to the Great Pyramid itself "for prophecy", but as corroboration of Bible prophecy; (c) the statement "is unBiblical" would seem to designate Russell's Biblical study of the God's Witness in Egypt as being "unBiblical"; we do not believe that study of God's witness in Egypt to be "unBiblical", since such study corroborates and confirms the Bible itself as being God's revelation to man.
See:
The Great Pyramid and the Bible

 (5) A picture is presented of Rutherford's pyramid monument with a caption "Pyramid/Grave of C.T. Russell of the Jehovah Witnesses". There are at least three things that are misleading in that one statement: (a) The pyramid monument shown was not built by Russell, but Rutherford had it constructed several years after Russell died. (b) Rutherford's pyramid monument is not Russell's grave. (c) Russell was never a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses organization.

Pyramid Monument Authorized by Rutherford

For links to related research, see:
Russell's Grave

(6) The statement is made that Russell brought in influences from eastern mysticism into Christianity. In actuality, the only "eastern mysticism" that Russell believed in was the mysteries of the Bible, which is an "eastern" -- not a "western" book. The implication, however, is that Russell brought heathen mysticism into Christianity. Russell did not believe in, and did not teach, the "eastern mysticism" of heathen religions. The thought presented, however, evidently is meant to suggest that the study of God's witness in Egypt, and how it corroborates the Bible is in some way connected to heathen religious mysticism, which it is not. The thought also suggests that Russell was the one who introduced the Biblical study of the Great Pyramid into Christianity. He was not; there were many Christians before him who had concluded that the Great Pyramid is God's witness in Egypt. Russell did not introduce that idea into Christianity, since it had already been introduced into Christianity by others who had come before him.

We should also note that many teachings of Christians had already adopted and adapted forms of Eastern mysticism into their doctrine, such as the idea of man's allegedly having an inherent immortal soul, and the idea that the human soul goes to various rewards or punishment in Hades after death. Russell, however, presented, to best of his knowledge and ability, what the Bible actually says about these topics without using the tint of heathen philosophies.

The article we are responding to never presents what alleged "strange prophecy" is being referred to. 
Nevertheless, the title would suggest that it is strange to study God's witness in Egypt. Indeed, it would be "strange" to those who have not actually studied the matter, and especially to those who have their minds made up to be against such a study. Nevertheless, does not the Bible itself speak of how Ephraim considered God's laws to be strange? (Hosea 8:12) Indeed, many Christians, having been highly influenced by the doctrines of men and modern thought, might find much that is in the Bible to be "strange".

Russell, the JWs and the Great Pyramid - Video Reply (w)

Did C. T. Russell Teach that Moses was an Egyptian?

Was Russell the Founder of What is Now Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Russell on the Cross and Crown

Russell Acknowledges Jesus as "Channel"

Did Russell Separate From and Later Divorce His Wife?

 

The Color Line Found Necessary

 We are reproducing below a portion from an article from the Watch Tower, April 1, 1914, that is often misrepresented as proof that Brother Russell was a racist.

While it seems that Brother Russell gave a solid explanation of their decision, many still wish to force this into making it appear to be racism, that Brother Russell was "racist" in choosing to have the colored seated separate from the whites.  

We should not that it was the standard at that time that white and blacks did not sit together in such meetings. In many places, it was even illegal for blacks and whites to congregate together.

This, however, was a public showing; it was not a meeting simply for the Bible Students. Please note that, as best as we can determine, it was not Brother Russell nor the Bible Students who were demanding not to be seated along with the blacks, it appears to be people from the public, many of whom certainly belonged to and/or attended various churches. Evidently, the situation was such that it appeared that these white people may have disrupted the showing of the Photo-Drama if the blacks were allowed to sit alongside them. Thus, Brother Russell considered that he had to decide either to cancel the showing to avoid racial confrontation, or have blacks seated separately so that the Photo Drama could be shown. We do not believe that Brother Russell's decision to put God first makes him a "racist."

Nor should one judge Brother Russell according to later concepts related to racism. For instance, some have claimed that his usage of the term "colored" was itself racist. This would appear to be based on later concepts of offensive "racist" words some have created, which ideas did not exist when Russell was alive. Brother Russell certainly would not have been aware that anyone considered the word "colored" to be offensive to anyone, and as far we can determine none at that time objected to use of the word "colored." It would not be fair nor reasonable to think that Brother Russell should abide by later concepts that did not exist when he was alive.

Good sense makes one slow to anger,

and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11, English Standard Version.

Did Russell Say The Jews Are Superior Morally and Intellectually?

By Ronald R. Day, Sr.

The following is from "Bloodlines of the Illuminati," written by Fritz Springmeier.

Russell Says The Jews Are Superior Morally and Intellectually

Russell preached that the Jews are superior to Christians morally and intellectually.

"Judged in this broad, general way, who will dispute that the twelve million Jews are not in advance of the average of Christendom intellectually and morally?" C.T. Russell.

That's quite appropriate for a man who has turned the Messiah basically into a collection of Jews. Russell's hatred for Christianity could serve the interests of any group bent on Christendom's destruction.

The above contains a quote from a sermon of Brother Russell. Below is a link to the entire sermon:

Jews Not to be Converted to Christianity

If one reads what Russell actually said in context, it should become apparent that Russell had just described scripturally the mission of the true church and separateness of the world of the true church that is enrolled in heaven, and showing that the vast majority of those professing to be Christian are only Christian in name only. It is from this standpoint as related to the millions of professing Christians who were not giving in evidence of actually being consecrated to service of Christ that Brother Russell was speaking as being a broad general way of most Christians that Brother Russell compared the Jew to both "intellectually and morally." Russell was not saying that the Jew is inherently superior to those of Christendom, but he was speaking of his observation in which he could see that most Jews were far ahead of most professing Christians both morally and intellectually. He was simply stating his observation.

Earlier in the study being quoted from above, Brother Russell criticizes the Jews:

The Jewish rabbis give practically all of their attention to the reading of prayers in the synagogue, which the people could do as well for themselves, and to the killing of the cattle, which can be done better by our great beef trusts -- which indeed do the most of it and then leave it for the rabbis to mark "kosher." God's Word through the Prophet applies to Jews as well as to Christians --"My people perish for lack of knowledge;" [Hosea 4:6] "There is a famine in the land, not for bread, but for the hearing (understanding) of the Word of the Lord." [Amos 8:11]

In this quote, he classifies both the Jew as well as the Christians as lacking in knowledge. 

The Messiah a Collection of Jews?

Springmeier claims that Russell "has turned the Messiah basically into a collection of Jews." Evidently, Springmeier wishes everyone to falsely believe that Brother Russell presented the Messiah as being "a collection of Jews". 

Springmeier presents the following as being what Russell taught:

The Messiah is basically a group of Jews. "The hidden Mystery is that this great Prophet, Priest and King is not a man, but a Son of God on the spirit plane; and further, the great Messiah is composed of many 'members,' of which he is the 'Head.'" Christ is a son not the son and is made up of many people.43 The church is the Messiah — "twelve thousand for each of the twelve tribes of Isreal..." "This class as a whole is the Messiah..." "Does this make clear my reasons for not wishing to turn Jews into Presbyterians, Baptists, Roman Catholics, etc.? Does it make clear my reason for urging Jews to a preparation mentally, morally and physically for the great work that God has

for them to do? I hope so...it is my conviction that the Messianic company, all saintly, will be composed more largely of Jews than of any other nationality."44

43. Jewish Hopes..., p. 10

44. Overland Monthly, p. 156 

 

The above is basically true, but rather slanted. Russell did not say that the Christ would solely be made up of Jews. Russell often presented the 12 tribes of Revelation 7 as being natural Israel. He believed, without being dogmatic, that the 144,000 were due to be selected from the 12 tribes of Israel, but that since only a remnant of Israel believed, that God then turned to Gentiles to fill up the remainder. (Romans 11:1-5,25) Russell presented his opinion that most of these 144,000 were from natural Jews, sealed in the first century. Whether this is true or not, we will have to wait to see when the saints are revealed. (Romans 8:19) Our own view related to the three groups in Revelation 7 is presented in our studies related to the Twelve Tribes, the 144,000 and the Great Multitude.

Evidently, however, Springmeier wishes to make the Jews into something very evil, which, in reality, would make Jesus himself evil, since he was a Jew.

Christendom

Christendom, as Brother Russell used it, refers to the alleged "Christian" kingdoms of the earth as supposedly being the kingdom of Christ; Brother Russell stated in the study quoted above: 

But Christendom is not the Church of Christ at all. The term is a misnomer. It signifies Christ's Kingdom; whereas Christ's Kingdom, Messiah's Kingdom, is not yet, but is still waited for by the Jews and by the true Church --the saintly "little flock" of the New Testament. Both Jews and saintly Christians still pray, "Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done;" and both still recognize that Messiah's Kingdom is the need of the world, and the hope of the world--and both are waiting for it.

Being a false "Christ's kingdom," and filled with sectarianism, such must come to an end in order for the peoples of these so-called "Christian" nations to be freed so as to learn how to serve God with one consent in the millennium. -- Isaiah 2:2-4; 26:9; Zephaniah 3:9.

By the same line of reasoning, we should realize that what is now what is often called "Judaism" is not what is to be approved by God, but rather the true Judaism which is to eventually accept Jesus as their Messiah under the new covenant which Brother Russell believed was yet future (and we believe is still yet future).  One could say, however, that true Judaism is in harmony with true Christianity. Thus, Brother Russell stated, evidently speaking of true Judaism: "Jesus and his apostles expounded the harmony between Christianity and Judaism, nevertheless comparatively few Christians today seem to grasp the subject clearly." -- "Christianity and the Law." Watch Tower, April 1, 1912, page 117.

And yet, Russell knew that present-day traditional Judaism and its blindness must be taken away, thus freeing the Jewish people so that they may be enlightened to serve Jehovah with one consent. (Isaiah 2:2-4; Zephaniah 3:9) This cannot be done without their acceptance of Jesus as being their Messiah. Brother Russell stated,

"We understand one of the first things of the new order of things will be pouring upon Israel their share of the blessings and their eyes will be opened to recognize Him whom they rejected more than eighteen hundred years ago." -- What Pastor Russell Said, page 94.

Illuminati Bloodline

Any approval of the idea of there being any such "Illuminati Bloodline," as described by various "conspiracy" theorists, automatically rejects the Bible, and the basis of the ransom for all as revealed in the Bible, since Christ died for all who are dying in Adam. Adam and all of Adam's descendants are condemned in Adam. (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22) We find nothing in the Bible about any special condemned bloodlines in our time. Russell only believed in one condemned bloodline (although he may never have used the word "bloodline"), that all races are descended from one blood (Acts 17:26), and that since all are condemned in one man, then only one sinless man is needed to redeem the entire human race. The Bible does not teach, nor did Russell teach, anything about any bloodlines today that are outside the power of the blood of Jesus to redeem.

It is the Bible itself, however, that shows that the Jewish people were alone chosen by God to receive the Law, and to the extent that any Jew would seek to keep that Law, would, of course, result in better moral standards than all other nations. Was God being racist to do this? From the standpoint of the carnally-minded, it would seem so; it is only as one appreciates God's overall purposes that one can begin to comprehend the details of God's purposes.

Russell's Alleged Hatred for Christianity

The fact is that Russell had no hatred for Christianity. Only someone who is totally ignorant of what Russell taught or one who has a somewhat willful desire to misrepresent Russell would consider any idea that Brother Russell hated Christianity. In the sermon quoted above, Brother Russell stated:

The world misunderstands Christianity; so do the majority of Christians. The general misconception is, that the Church of Christ is in the world as a reformatory institution -- to give the world correct moral ideas and to help keep them out of drunkard graves and from all kinds of licentiousness, brutality, profanity, etc. Indeed, the world measures Christianity by its success in fighting down these evils, and many Christians have the same false views.

This does not sound like Brother Russell was expressing a hatred for Christianity, but rather that he was defending Christianity, although he does point to some false concepts of what many think that Christianity is supposed to be doing.

Russell, however, most often spoke of those who belong to Christ as being "Christian." Russell did, at times, refer to "nominal Christianity," noting an adherence to Christianity in name only. While one could say he hated the disobedience of Jesus as shown in actions and beliefs of nominal Christianity, he had no hatred for Christianity itself. In many cases, we would have to quote extremely long portions of what Russell wrote in order for the reader to understand how Brother Russell spoke of a false or nominal Christianity as opposed to true Christianity. Here are a couple of short quotes from Russell regarding Christianity that could be easily understood:

Christianity is not selfish, but the reverse. -- Watch Tower, March 15, 1909, page 91.

This certainly doesn't sound like he hated Christianity.

True science has never contradicted the Bible; has never touched it but to confirm. The same God made both the world and the Word, so that there can be no contradiction. It is only false science that has seemed -- or been made to appear -- in conflict with Christianity. -- Watch Tower, September 1, 1904, page 262

If Russell hated Christianity, why would he seek to defend Christianity in relation to what he calls "false science"?