Russell, 1914, Time of Trouble and End of the World (Working on)

By Ronald R. Day, Senior

Many people like to quote Russell's earlier views concerning 1914, and make the claim that Russell was a false prophet because he voiced expectations concerning 1914, but totally disregard what Russell stated elsewhere. Actually, Russell disclaimed that his expectations were prophecy, but that they were his own conclusions based on his study of Bible prophecies. Thus, never having made any prophecies, the statements of Deuteronomy 18:15-22 are not applicable to Russell.

Nevertheless, many make many claims concerning Russell and 1914 that are very misleading to say the least. It is often claimed that Russell was expecting the end of the world in 1914. One could read such a thought into his earlier statements, since Russell, before 1904, was expecting the end of Gentile governments in 1914. And yet, Russell himself did not express the idea that the end of the Gentile kingdoms in 1914 would be the "end of the world". Russell actually disclaimed that he was expecting the "end of the world" in 1914. The idea that he was claiming the "end of the world" in 1914 comes from others, not from Russell himself. 

Many often present an image copy of the Bible Students Monthly that has the headline "End of the World in 1914". From this many would like to leave the impression that Russell was expecting the end of the world in 1914. The subheadline underneath the main headline, however, denies that Russell was expecting the end of the world in 1914, for it says, "Not the View of Pastor Russell or the I.B.S.A." Therefore, the article is actually denying that Russell was expecting the end of the world in 1914. 

In this presentation, however, we will be focusing on what Russell stated between the years 1904 and 1914, especially as related to the time of trouble (Armageddon) as beginning, not ending, in 1914.

Please note that Russell had no expectations similar to the Jehovah's Witnesses regarding Armageddon. He was certainly not expecting that all of a sudden millions of non-believers would be eternally destroyed. His view of Armageddon was, in effect, almost the opposite of that later presented by Joseph Rutherford.

Up until 1904 Russell had continued to accept Barbour's view that the time of trouble (Amageddon) was to end, not begin, in 1914. In 1904, Russell rejected his earlier view, and he came to realize that "the time of trouble" was to begin, not end, in 1914. We have been asked to present evidence that Russell was indeed teaching that the "time of trouble" (Armageddon) was to begin, not end in 1914. In order to not get sidetracked from the focus on the time of trouble, we present a few brief quotes below that most directly show Russell's expectations between 1904 up to 1914, as well as some statements after 1914.

We will examine some of Russell's statements related to 1914 that he made from 1904-1916. Our quotes are simply to the part that most clearly and briefly expresses his new viewpoint. We are providing links to the entire article so that one may review all that Russell was saying.

We begin with the announcement of his change of view in 1904: "We now expect that the anarchistic culmination of the great time of trouble which will precede the Millennial blessings will be after October, 1914 A.D.–very speedily thereafter, in our opinion –'in one hour,' 'suddenly.'" -- "Universal Anarchy: Just Before or After October, 1914 A.D.?" ZWT, July 1, 1904, page 197, Reprints 3389.

Brother Russell plainly stated in that article that he had come to believe that the time of trouble will be "after [not before, as he had previously assumed] October, 1914 A.D." This is the opposite of the view he had held before. Thus, from 1904 onward, Russell was not expecting that all Gentile governments would be gone by October of 1914 as he had previously expected. Instead, he was expecting the nations to enter into the foretold time of trouble.

Still in  1904, Russell stated: "It is evident that the coming of universal anarchy after the 'harvest,' after October 1914 A.D., has nothing whatever to do with either the presence of the Reaper or the setting up of his Kingdom." -- "Fear Not, O Zion", ZWT, August 1, 1904, Beginning on page 229, Reprints 3405.

Again, speaking of the time of trouble as "universal anarchy", he speaks of it as coming "after October 1914 A.D." Thus this demonstrates that his expectation was no longer that the time of trouble (Armageddon) was to end in 1914.

In this same article, Brother Russell also reports that "some have concluded that because anarchy destroyed the Jewish nation in the one year following their 'harvest,' therefore we should expect that the one year, from October 1914 to October 1915, following the Gospel age 'harvest,' would measure the period of universal anarchy coming." Russell stated in the article that he could not accept this view, but this appears to be the first time that 1915 is presented as a possible date for the end of the "time of trouble". 

Again, in 1904, Russell stated: From other prophetic Scriptures we glean that this great trouble lies 10 years in the future. It will be ushered in at the expiration of what the Scriptures designate the 'times of the Gentiles,' October, 1914 A.D." -- "Lessons Drawn From St. Louis Exposition", October 2, 1904, Pittsburgh Gazette.

Here Brother Russell again speaks of that "time of trouble" as not coming before 1914, as he had assumed before his change of viewpoint in 1904, but that it would be "ushered in at the expiration of what the Scriptures designate the 'time of the Gentiles,' October 1914 A.D."  Russell was, in effect, emphasizing his conclusion as presented in the July 1, 1904 issue of The Watch Tower. In the sermon of October 2, 1904, Russell goes on to show that after this great time of trouble, God will bless the whole earth, as foretold in the Bible.

Also still in the year 1904, Russell wrote regarding the restoration of Israel, "It is to be accomplished in the day of trouble, shortly after October, 1914, we believe."-- "Prince of Peace" Isaiah 9:1-7: ZWT, December 1, 1904, page 364, Reprints 3468.

Again, Brother Russell shows that he was expecting the time of trouble to begin in 1914, and that "shortly after October, 1914" that Israel would be restored. (The Balfour Declaration of 1917 paved the way for Israel to be restored.) 

In the article, Brother Russell goes on to show that this time of trouble is for the purpose of overthrowing "all the powers of evil", and after this, God "cause wars to cease unto the ends of the earth." -- Psalm 46:9.

In 1909, Brother Russell wrote, "The Harvesting of this age, we understand has been in progress since 1878, and will terminate in 1914, with the beginning of a great time of trouble upon Christendom." -- "Lesson Review" March 21, ZWT, February 15, 1909, page 57, Reprints 4336

Here Brother Russell again refers to the 1914 as "the beginning of a great time of trouble", further showing that he was expecting the time of trouble to begin, not end in 1914, as he had thought before 1904.

Brother Russell, however, later believed that the harvest did not end in 1914. Brother Russell, however, viewed the harvest as being a physical separation from the sectarian churches. We have presented some of our own views related to the harvest in our study: The Parousia, the Seventh Trumpet, and the Harvest. 

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In 1909:

These 2520 years we believe will expire with October, 1914; at that time we believe ... the collapse of the nations will be through a fierce strife, "a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation," ... Our belief is that the warfare between capital and labor, emperors and peoples, will be short, sharp, decisive, and bring untold calamity upon all concerned.. -- "Times of the Gentiles", The National Labor Tribune, July 11, 1909.
http://www.mostholyfaith.com/beta/bible/Newspaper_Sermons/NS46.asp

Brother Russell here shows that he was not expecting universal peace to come in October of 1914, but rather the time of trouble in which "there shall be no peace." We believe that peace was indeed taken away in 1914, and while there have been periods of time without actual open warfare, warfare has none the less continued either openly or covertly ever since. Some even claim that the Great War (World War I), although it officially ended in 1918, has actually continued to be fought to this day.

In 1910:

I believe October, 1914, is the time when we may expect that great time of trouble.. -- What Pastor Russell Said, Question 555:4 (1910).
http://www.mostholyfaith.com/beta/bible/QB/qb.asp?xRef=Q555:7#Q555:7.

Brother Russell again stated that he was expecting (not giving any prophecies) that 1914 will be when the great time of trouble would be "ushered in". This is in contradiction to his earlier statements (before 1904) that the time of trouble was to end, not begin, in 1914. Also in this quote, Russell shows that he did not believe, as Rutherford later claimed, that the time of trouble (Armageddon) would eternally destroy all who opposed him, but rather that this time of trouble would "make ready and prepare mankind... for the blessing and uplifting of all families of the earth." Thus, he was not expecting "Armageddon" as has been presented by the Jehovah's Witnesses. He believed that Armageddon would be a time of chastisement of the people of the nations in preparation for the coming blessings of God's Kingdom.

In 1910:

Nineteen hundred and fourteen is the time when..., I shall expect a time of great trouble, which the Bible marks out as having its beginning about October, 1914. -- What Pastor Russell Said, Question 76:1 (1910).
http://www.mostholyfaith.com/beta/bible/QB/qb.asp?xRef=Q76:2#Q76:2

Brother Russell, in harmony with many statements he made elsewhere, again states that he did not know what was going to happen in 1914. He then gives what he thinks, and his conclusion as what he believes the Bible states will happen. That conclusion is that the great time of trouble was to have "its beginning about October, 1914." Note again, "beginning", not that it would end in 1914, as he had thought before 1904.

In 1911, answering the question, How long after the end of the time of the Gentiles will it be before the first of the dead are awakened from the tomb?:

After the times of the Gentiles come to a conclusion there will be a great time of trouble as the Scriptures clearly point out — trouble as never was since there was a nation. Then, following that trouble would come the reign of righteousness.... How long that would require I do not know.  -- What Pastor Russell Said, Q589:3.
http://www.mostholyfaith.com/bible/QB/qb.asp?xRef=Q589:5#Q589:5 (1911)

Again, Brother Russell states that he was expecting that the time of trouble was to come after the end of the times of Gentiles (1914). Also, we should note that he was not expecting that the time of trouble (Armageddon) was to bring eternal destruction on the masses of the people, but that after the trouble the nations would be brought to a knowledge of the Lord. Again, he states that he does not know how long after 1914 this would require.

In 1911:

Our readers know that for some years we have been expecting this Age to close with an awful time of trouble, and we expect it to break out with suddenness and force not long after October, 1914. -- "Loosing the Four Winds of Heaven", May 15, 1911, page 146, Reprints 4822.
https://www.htdbv8.com/1911/r4822.htm

Once more, we find Russell was stating that he was "expecting" (not stating a divinely-inspired prophecy) that the time of trouble would break out not long after October of 1914. This again, shows that he was not expecting the time of trouble to end in 1914 as he had thought before 1904. It also shows that in 1911, he was still expecting the Gentile Times to end in 1914, Russell never changed the ending of the Gentile Times to 1915 as some have claimed.

  

In 1912:

We are expecting in October, 1914, that a great change will be due. Now, how quickly will it come? Whether on the stroke of the clock or not we do not know. We believe that it will land upon humanity by that time.... But we believe the Bible teaches October, 1914, as the time. If that is incorrect for a year, or five, or one hundred years, no matter, it is coming some time, whether we have it right or not. -- Convention Sermons Report.
http://www.mostholyfaith.com/beta/bible/CRS/1912b.asp

Russell continues to confirm that he was "expecting" (not setting forth a prophecy) that the time of trouble would come in 1914. He also presents some thoughts related the possibility that he could be mistaken about 1914. This again shows that he was not setting forth his expectations as being infallible, and he admits the possibility that he could be wrong in his expectations. Additionally, it also shows that he had faith in the Bible prophecies, that they would come true at some time, whether his expectations were correct or not.

In 1912:

We are not at liberty to guess when the end of the trouble will be. Whether all of the trouble will come in the next two or three years we do not know. But we think that the most serious part of the trouble will occupy a very short time. -- "Spared in the Day of Trouble", ZWT, October 1, 1912, page 326, Reprints 5119;
http://www.agsconsulting.com/htdbnon/htdb0257.htm

Notice here that Russell begins by speaking about the end of the time of trouble, not its beginning. In effect, he says he does not know when the time of trouble would end. Then he speaks of when the time of trouble was to come, Two years later from the date of the above would be 1914, three years would be 1915. Brother Russell continues to show his expectation that in 1914 the time of trouble was to begin; Some Bible Students, however, held to the belief that the Gentile Times were to end in 1915, not 1914, and this may be what Brother Russell was referring to. Many of the Bible students were expecting the time of trouble to last for one year, from October of 1914 to October of 1915 (according to the parallels as presented by John Edgar). Others presented other dates, 1918, 1920, 1921, 1925, etc. While Russell allowed the possibility for many of these dates, he never actually condoned any.

In 1913:

We understand that the Gentile Times will close in October 1914, and that consequently we expect, speedily following that date, the transfer of the rulership of earth to the great King of Glory, in a "time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation." -- "Let Your Moderation Be Known", ZWT, June 1, 1913, page 167, Reprints 5249.
http://www.agsconsulting.com/htdbnon/r5249.htm

Brother Russell persists in his expectation that in October of 1914 the great time of trouble was to begin. Of course, he did not have any idea that the time of trouble would last as long as it has. 

In 1914 (Around January):

Evidently in response to those who were claiming that Russell was expecting the end of the world in 1914, early in 1914 Russell released the article in "The Bible Students Monthly", entitled: "End of the Word in 1914 - Not the View of Pastor Russell, Nor of the I.B.S.A." Russell was not expecting the end of the world in 1914.

In 1914 (Before October):

Suppose that the Gentile Times should end in October, 1914, what would be the logical thing to expect? Well, I am not sure what to expect. {Page Q89} We could not be sure, we would not know, whether it would take the Lord fifteen minutes or fifteen days or fifteen years to put out the kingdoms of this world. -- What Pastor Russell Said, Question 79:1.
http://www.mostholyfaith.com/bible/QB/qb.asp?xRef=Q79:1#Q79:1

This gives further evidence that Russell was not expecting the "end of the world" in 1914. It does not directly state that he was expecting the time of trouble to begin in 1914, but if one is familiar with the rest of his works, one would realize that to be what he was saying. He again, in effect, states that he does not know how long this time of trouble would last. His statement does show that he did expect that it could take many years.

In 1914 (before October):

I expect October will come and the kings of the earth – the Gentiles – will not know that their lease is expired. What then? A thunder clap out of a clear sky, that will begin to show these kings that a new Ruler is taking possession of the world. How will it come? I do not know the particulars. I have merely the outline.... How long did it take for the trouble that came upon the Jews to destroy them? About one year. After the forty years are ended, what might be expected here? Perhaps one year here might be enough of this trouble. [As John Edgar had suggested] God only knows. We are merely offering an idea. So I will expect 1915 will be a very severe year. -- What Pastor Russell Said, Question 89:1.
http://www.mostholyfaith.com/bible/QB/qb.asp?xRef=Q89:1#Q89:1

We continue to find that Russell was expecting (not giving a prophecy) the time of trouble to begin in 1914 and that Russell still maintains that "God only knows" how long that time of trouble may last. He alludes to Edgar's parallel of one year, which he had presented in the pages of the Watch Tower in 1905.
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Addendum 1:

Below we are providing some quotes from sites that are misrepresenting what Russell taught by not recognizing that Russell had, in 1904, changed his view concerning the time of trouble. These sites are for the most part discussing the Jehovah's Witnesses. There is much we do agree on the sites, but our desire is only to point out their errors related to Russell's expectations regarding 1914 before 1914 had arrived.

One site, claiming to present the facts, states: "It was not declared that the world would enter the time of trouble in 1914, as the time of trouble was said to have started in 1874." The site gives as proof a quote from Russell that was written before 1904. The statement, however, is not factual that "It was not declared the world would enter the time of trouble in 1914", for as we have shown above, this was indeed exactly what Russell - at least from 1904 onward -- was expecting to happen in 1914. The author of the statement is evidently ignorant of the fact that since 1904 Brother Russell was indeed expecting the time of trouble to begin -- not end -- in 1914.

Another page on the same site states: "1914 was predicted to be the 'end' of the system of things, the conclusion of Armageddon and the start of the earthly paradise." Again, some quotes from Russell before 1904 are presented to prove this. None of the quotes, however, speak of the end of "the system of things", but rather the "end of the age" Russell, before 1904, believed that the end of the age had begun in 1874 and that it was to end in 1914. Nevertheless, from 1904 on up to 1914 Brother Russell was stating that the time of trouble (which he viewed at that time as being the same as Armageddon) was to begin, not end, in 1914, as we have shown above. Russell died in 1916, still holding to the belief that the time of trouble had begun in 1914. This idea was not something new after 1914.

Another page on this site states almost the very same thing as the above, saying, "One of the most misleading statements in Watchtower publications is that they accurately foretold 1914 to be the 'start' of the conclusion of this system of things. In reality, 1914 was predicted to be the 'end' of the system of things, the conclusion of Armageddon and the start of the earthly paradise." Russell did, before 1904, speak of the end of the age as beginning in 1874 and ending in 1914. Again, however, Russell's statements related to the time of trouble between 1904 to 1914 are ignored. From 1904 onward, Brother Russell was indeed expecting the time of trouble to begin, not end, in 1914.

Another author asks the question, "What was expected to happen in 1914?", and in the posting given, it is evidently thought to be giving an answer to that question. However, by disregarding Russell's change of view in 1904, it fails to accurately answer the question and leaves the reader to conclude that Russell expecting Armageddon to end in 1914.

Another author states similarly, "Prior to 1914 However 1914 was seen as the date that would be the 'end of the time of trouble.'" Again, Russell's change of view on this in 1904 is ignored, and the reader is left thinking that Russell was expecting the time of trouble was to end in 1914 right on up to 1914.

Please note that Brother Russell was never a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses, nor was he speaking with any authority as now claimed by the JWs' governing body. He did not make acceptance of his views regarding chronology and time prophecies a standard for fellowship, and any were free to accept or reject his views. Nor are we endeavoring to defend the JW organization, as we recognize that the usurpation of power their leadership claims is not authorized by God, Jesus, or the apostles. Brother Russell himself preached against such authoritarianism. Additionally, we realize that the JW leadership has made many false statements concerning what Brother Russell had been expecting for 1914. However, his expectation that the time of trouble was to begin in 1914, not end, in 1914 is a historical fact, at least from 1904 onward.

Addendum 2:

Some seem to totally disregard all the quotes we have given above and insist that we are wrong about what Russell was expecting in 1914. Again, they do this by presenting quotes from Russell that were stated before 1904, such as:

The Watchtower July 15, 1894, p. 1677: “....We see no reason for changing the figures — nor could we change them if we would. THEY ARE, WE BELIEVE, GOD'S DATES, NOT OURS.  But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble....” This they would apply to be Brother Russell's view up until 1914, and some have claimed that when this didn't happen in 1914, that he changed his view after 1914, so as to begin to claim -- after 1914 -- that the time of trouble had begun in 1914. While Brother Russell certainly did -- after 1914 -- continue to believe that the time of trouble had begun in 1914, it was not due to any alleged failure regarding his expectations held before 1914, since he had been expecting that the time of trouble was to begin in 1914 ever since 1904 -- ten years before 1914 had arrived.

In the above, we find that Brother Russell refers to himself with the editorial "we" and "our", and states HIS belief that the dates are God's, not HIS. That part we agree with; that is our belief also that these dates are God's dates, as based on the Bible. Like Brother Russell, however, we are not dogmatic about this, and certainly would never claim one is not a Christian for disagreeing with this.

Related to the latter part, however, in which Brother Russell stated:

"bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble,"

The later quotes presented above, however, show that Brother Russell rejected this idea about ten years after he stated it. In 1904, as can be seen by the quotes given above, Russell did come to realize that he had been wrong on this and began to believe that time of trouble was to begin, not end, in 1914.

There were evidently, however, even in 1894, some of the Bible Students that disagreed with Brother Russell about the time of trouble ending in 1914, and believed that the ending of the Gentiles Times would see the beginning, not the end, of the time of trouble. Brother Russell, when he accepted this in 1904, alluded to some work of others related to a one-year parallel corresponding to October of 1914 to October of 1915. Brother Russell rejected the conclusions reached by such a parallel. However, in 1905, he did print Brother John Edgar's conclusions about that parallel. He also presented the conclusions of another brother about a different parallel.

None of what Russell wrote, however, should be viewed as being prophecies. He was simply presenting his own conclusions. He never demanded any authority as a prophet, or as a governing body, etc.

Another quote given us is from The Watchtower Reprints, September 15, 1901, p. 2876: “...The culmination of the trouble in October, 1914, IS CLEARLY MARKED IN THE SCRIPTURES; and we are bound therefore to expect a beginning of that severe trouble not later than 1910; — with severe spasms between now and then....”

Again, Russell presented HIS conclusion -- HIS opinion -- as he saw it in 1901, still before 1904. Again, we should note that Russell was not presenting his expectations as being "prophecy", although at the time he was convinced that the prophecies of the Bible marked 1914 as the end of the time of trouble. We believe that 1914 is clearly marked in the Scriptures, but Brother Russell himself later rejected the idea that the "culmination" of the time of trouble was to come in 1914. As can be seen by the quotes we give above, about three years later he rejected what he had stated above, for he no longer believed that the time of trouble was to end in 1914, but rather he believed that the time of trouble was to begin in 1914, and end sometime after 1914.

Addendum 3: -- Quotes After October of 1914 Regarding the "Time of Trouble"

Some claim that Russell changed his mind about the time of trouble after 1914. We thus present some quotes from Russell that show that he had not changed his mind, that he continued to believe that the time of trouble had begun right on up to October of 1916.

The Harvest surely is not ended. The great Time of Trouble has already begun. -- Watch Tower, April 15, 1915, page 126.

Russell here shows that he believed that the time of trouble had begun in 1914, not ended as he had wrote in his books, which view he discarded in 1904.

He declares that He will be revealed in flaming fire, so far as the world is concerned – a great "Time of Trouble such as never was since there was a nation." (Daniel 12:1.) Many Bible students see this trouble already beginning in the awful war now spreading, and are expecting the fiery anarchy of it to result in the near future. Then quickly will come the still small Voice, the Divine influence, the mighty power of the Savior, which will deliver from sin, from death, and from Satan, who shall be bound for a thousand years. -- Watch Tower, May 1, 1915, pages 137,138.

Again, Brother Russell refers to this time of trouble as having begun, corresponding to what he had been expecting since 1904. The "anarchy" phase, however, he placed in the future. This would seem to place the actual battle of Armageddon in the future, and not having begun in 1914, as he had previously thought. Of course, Russell at that time had no idea that the time of trouble would last for decades. 

Related to 1914, Russell believed that the time of the end began in 1799. His view, adapted from Barbour, was that the time of the end was 115 years, from 1799-1914.  We have not found any place that he made any change related to this after 1904. We do believe the time of the end started in 1799 as Russell taught. However, we believe that he was wrong about how long that time of the end was to last. Brother Russell evidently never noticed that the Hebrew word for "time" in Daniel 8:19 is the same word used in Daniel 12:7. Without claiming that we know this for a fact, or that we are a divinely inspired prophet, this would seem to indicate that the length appointed for the "time of the end" is 360 years, making it end in the year 2159. Nevertheless, this would not indicate that the present heavens and earth are to pass away in that year, since the days are to be cut short, or else no flesh would be saved. It still leaves no specific date for the end of the time of trouble, except that, if this is true, it would mean that the time of trouble could end at any time between now and 2159. (Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20) We still do not know when the present heavens and earth are to pass away. -- Matthew 5:18; 24:35-36; Mark 13:30-32; 16:17; 21:33; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 21:

It was a very close hit that this great Time of Trouble began near October, 1914; and it is going on now at high speed.  -- Watch Tower, July 15, 1915, page 220.

Brother Russell again expresses his belief that the time of trouble had already begun in 1914. The war in Europe, however, started in July of 1914 rather than in October of 1914. Evidently, some were concerned about an exact date. 

We believe that the present strife in Europe is very forcefully depicted in some of the prophecies cited above, and that this is only the beginning of the great trouble and overthrow, the breaking in pieces of the nations as a potter's vessel. -- Watch Tower, August 1, 1915, pages 227,228.

This does not specifically mention 1914, but it does show that Russell believed that the time of trouble had begun. It might be good to note, however, that Russell never mentions any idea that this trouble was to result in the eternal destruction of most of earth's population. One should realize that Russell never taught the kind of "Armageddon" message that Rutherford later presented, and which the Jehovah's Witnesses still preach. Russell believed the trouble comes as a chastisement of the nations before the nations are blessed by Jesus.

The world has not heeded the Message of Jesus and His followers; and hence the smiting of the earth with a curse, the blow of the great Time of Trouble now beginning, is the only way by which Messiah's Kingdom can be ushered in. -- Watch Tower, August 1, 1915, page 236.

Again, the date 1914 is not specifically mentioned, but Russell does refer to the time of trouble as "now beginning." 

Meantime, God's Kingdom is coming, just as the Bible has foretold. The great Time of Trouble is about to inaugurate the new Reign – Messiah's Reign of Righteousness.  -- Watch Tower, September 15, 1915, page 277.

Russell above refers to the "great time of trouble" as introducing the reign of Christ. Russell, of course, had no idea that the time of trouble was to last more than a hundred years. Nevertheless, while a hundred years may seem like a long time from the perspective of man here on the earth, but from God a thousand years is as a day.

As the great Time of Trouble progresses the spirit of evil will be made manifest more and more in all the "children of disobedience"; and more and more they will become vexed and angry with the children of obedience, who will be standing loyally by the Word of God and the principles of righteousness and love. -- Watch Tower, March 1, 1915, pages 77,78. 

In times past, evil was relatively done in the dark; today it is paraded before all in the forms of entertainment and newspapers as being acceptable."Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20, World English)

How necessary seems the Bible declaration that incident to the establishment of the Kingdom of God under the whole heavens is the great Time of Trouble, which already is beginning, and which the Bible indicates will end with anarchy and the utter destruction of the present order of society! . -- Watch Tower, November 1, 1915, page 330. 

The above quotes also show that Russell, in 1915, considered the time of trouble as "beginning". This in harmony with his expectations since 1904. 

Did the Times of the Gentiles end by October 1st, 1914? It certainly looks very much as if they did.. -- Watchtower, February 1, 1916, page 38.

This shows that in 1916, Russell still believed that the Times of the Gentiles had ended in 1914. He does not directly use the expression, the time of trouble, but in the context, he does refer to it as "the terrible shaking process". 

But we are not to expect the interposition of the Lord's power to stop the great Time of Trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, until mankind shall have been greatly humbled to the dust and shall call upon the Lord in great trepidation. We are far from that condition of things now.  -- Watch Tower, February 15, 1916, page 52.

Again, he does not directly state that the time of trouble had begun in 1914, but his statement shows that he still believed that the time of trouble was in progress, and that at that time it did not appear that Jesus would exercise his power to end that time of trouble any time soon. 

The long foretold Time of Trouble, such as never was and never will be again (Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21,22), has begun. -- Watch Tower, March 1, 1916, pages 71,72.

This is a blunt statement that Russell believed in 1916 that the time of trouble had begun. From other statements, it is should be apparent that he is referring to 1914 as the time when time of trouble had begun. 

We do know that the great Time of Trouble, which has begun, very closely corresponds to the Divine declaration respecting the time and conditions of the establishment of Messiah's Kingdom.  -- October 1, 1916, Author's Foreward, *The Time Is At Hand*, page iii. 

Thus, Russell still believed in 1916 that that time of trouble had begun and that it would continue until the day the nations are fully humbled, whenever that may be, so that they will call upon God, evidently a reference to Psalm 107:28. 

We would now like to add to the above some of our own observations. Brother Russell believed that the "time of the end" (not to be confused with the "time of trouble") had begun in 1799. The scriptures where "the time of the end" is spoken of are: Daniel 8:17,19; 11:35,40; 12:4,9. These scriptures are all referring to a specific period of time. The "time of trouble" is another period of time. Brother Russell believed that the time of the end had begun in 1799 and that is was to last for 115 years, until 1914. Thus, if the time of trouble began in 1914, according to Russell's calculations, the time of trouble is after the time of the end had come to an end. Daniel 12, however, seems to indicate that the time of the end continues into the time of trouble. 

We did a study of the Hebrew words used in Daniel related to this, and we noticed something that Brother Russell possibly did not notice. We realized that the Hebrew word for "time" in Daniel 8:19 is the same word used in Daniel 12:7. Assuming that Brother Russell is correct about the beginning of the time of the end in 1799, and without claiming that we know this for a fact, or that we are a divinely inspired prophet, this would seem to indicate that the length appointed for the "time of the end" is 360 years, making it end in the year 2159.

Does this indicate that the time of trouble is to end in 2159? We do not think so, since Jesus prophesied that the days were to be cut short, or else no flesh would be saved. Thus, if the time of the end lasts until 2159, this would not indicate that the present heavens and earth are to pass away in that year. It still leaves no specific date for the end of the time of trouble, except that, if this is true, it would mean that the time of trouble could end at any time between now and 2159. (Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20) We still do not know when the present heavens and earth are to pass away. -- Matthew 5:18; 24:35-36; Mark 13:30-32; 16:17; 21:33; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 21:1.

Ronald R. Day, Sr.; ResLight

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