A frequently repeated accusation states something like the following:
- Russell supposedly calculated 1914 from pyramid measurements
- He allegedly predicted the “end of the world” for 1914
- When the prediction “failed,” he supposedly altered the pyramid measurements in later editions of Thy Kingdom Come to cover his tracks
This narrative is misleading on several levels.
The Alleged “Growing Pyramid”
Critics often compare the 1897 edition of Thy Kingdom Come with a later edition (sometimes 1916, 1918, or even 1923) and note that a measurement of 3416 inches was later printed as 3457 inches, claiming the pyramid “grew” 41 inches in 19 years.
However, this comparison ignores a crucial fact:
This means the change had nothing to do with 1914 “failing,” nor was it an attempt to hide anything. Many who repeat the accusation are likely unaware of the 1905 edition; whoever originally framed the argument bears responsibility for misrepresenting the timeline. This change took place, not 19 years after the first edition in 1897, but rather only seven years after the first edition.
What Earlier Editions Actually Said
Before 1905, Thy Kingdom Come included the following reasoning:
- A measurement of 1542 inches symbolized the year 1542 B.C.
- A further 3416 inches symbolized 3416 years, leading to A.D. 1874
- Russell believed this indicated the beginning of the “time of trouble”
One should understand that Russell’s prophetic framework was not based on pyramid measurements, but on Biblical chronology, as was presented in the earlier studies in Russell's Volumes 2 and 3. The pyramid was used only as a symbolic confirmation—not as the source of the dates.
Nevertheless, in 1897, no one had taken a measurement of the floor of the lower part of the descending passageway, since it was filled with debris. Thus, the measurement was not based on an actual measurement of the floor of the lower descending passageway, but was evidently derived by attempting to extend measurements of the ceiling to the floor.
Why the Measurement Was Updated
After 1904, Russell revised his understanding of the “time of trouble.” He came to believe that:
- The “time of trouble” would begin in 1914, not end in 1914
- No actual measurement had been taken of the floor of the lower descending passageway due to debris
- Evidently, Russell determined a new measurement based on the measurements given in Smythe's diagram.
Thus, the 1905 edition reads:
- 3457 inches corresponding to 3457 years
- Leading to A.D. 1915, which Russell associated with the beginning of the trouble
- While still affirming that the close of 1914 marked the turning point
Russell, never gave a detailed explanation of how either measurement had been attained. Nevertheless, Russell often referred to October 1914 as the start of the Jewish year 1915, which, at least in his mind, may have justified the measurement ending in 1915 rather than 1914. possibly explains the overlap in his language.
Importantly, this adjustment did not change the end of the Gentile Times, which Russell consistently placed at October 1914. Nor did it change the date 1874 itself to 1914, as some have claimed. Russell continued to believe until his death that in 1874 Christ returned and that the end of the age had begun in 1874.
The change in question—found on page 342 of Thy Kingdom
Come—was publicly noted in the September 15, 1909
issue of The Watch Tower, several years before
1914.
The 1909 notice explained:
“Page 342, lines 17–18: 3416 inches changed to 3457 inches to agree with later accurate measurement… The former figures were ‘paper measure’ from Piazzi Smyth’s illustration, supposed to have been drawn to scale, but found inaccurate.”
This statement demonstrates that the adjustment was made openly,
long before 1914, and had nothing to do with failed expectations or
any attempt to conceal earlier conclusions. The dates 1874 and
1914—derived from Biblical chronology, not pyramid
measurements—remained unchanged.
Misleading Claims About “Failed Predictions”
Some writers assert that Russell changed the pyramid measurements because the predicted date “showed no promise.” This argument collapses under scrutiny:
- The original date tied to the earlier measurement was 1874, not 1914
- 1874 had already passed before Thy Kingdom Come was even published
- Russell made no change regarding 1874, other than he no longer believed that the time of trouble had begun on that date; the remeasurement did not change the date 1874 to 1914.
- The change occurred in 1905, not after 1914
- Russell never taught that 1914 would be the end of the world
The accusation depends on conflating dates, editions, and interpretations in a way that obscures the actual historical sequence.
Russell believed the updated figure published in 1905 was more accurate, but neither the earlier nor later number came from a direct physical measurement. At the time, the lower portion of the descending passageway was blocked by debris, making on‑site measurement impossible. Both figures were therefore calculated from Piazzi Smyth’s diagram, which Russell assumed was drawn to scale.
Morton Edgar’s Later Findings
Morton Edgar later explained the situation in detail. In early editions of Studies in the Scriptures, Volume III, Russell listed the length of the descending passage as 3416 inches. Beginning in 1905, this was updated to 3457 inches, shifting the symbolic date associated with the passage from 1874 to 1915.
Edgar noted that Russell did not provide a detailed explanation for the change, though a brief discussion appeared in the November 1, 1904 Watch Tower. At that time, Russell simply relied on Smyth’s diagram and believed it supported the 3416‑inch figure.
Russell also acknowledged that the lower passageway was filled with debris, preventing any direct measurement.
The First Actual Measurement: 1909
The Edgar brothers were the first to physically clear and measure the lower descending passageway in 1909. Their findings showed that neither of Russell’s earlier figures was correct. The true length was approximately 3385 Pyramid inches (3384.904), which is:
31 inches shorter than Russell’s original 3416‑inch figure
72 inches shorter than the later 3457‑inch figure
This was the first time an actual measurement—not a diagram‑based estimate—had been taken.
Despite the discrepancy, the Edgars concluded that the corrected measurement supported the symbolic dates 1874 and 1914 even more strongly. They communicated their findings to Russell immediately.
No Impact on Russell’s Chronology
Russell’s 1905 adjustment did not alter his prophetic dates. He continued to teach:
1874 as the beginning of Christ’s invisible presence
1914 as the end of the Gentile Times
Other pyramid measurements still pointed to 1874, and Russell held to this view until his death in 1916.
Summary
- 1914 was not derived from pyramid measurements
- Russell used Biblical chronology to establish the date
- The Great Pyramid was viewed only as a confirming witness, not a source
- The measurement change occurred in 1905, not after 1914
- Russell never predicted the end of the world for 1914
- Claims of a “cover‑up” rely on incorrect comparisons of editions and dates
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