TIMING ASPECTS OF THE CREED OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES: ORIGINS AND TRANSFORMATION

Abstract

The paper discusses the origins and development of the doctrines of Jehovah’s Witnesses that relate to specific dates and times. Special emphasis is placed on the views of Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Watchtower Society. Their modification is also traced in the further history of the religious organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The teaching of Charles Russell about the Millennial Kingdom is characterized. It is clarified that during this period all mankind will be given the opportunity to cognize Divine truth, to receive the complete perfection of human nature and eternal life. It is investigated that Russell’s biblical chronology became the basis for his interpretation of the prophetic periods of the book of Daniel, and for determining the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ. Despite the fact that this chronology had certain differences from the generally accepted chronology, Charles Russell was convinced of its reliability. The principle used by Russell in determining the duration of all the prophetic periods of the book of Daniel is highlighted. The importance of a clear periodicity and date of the rite of the Lord’s Supper is described. It is outlined some uncertainty in the practical calculations to give the Lord’s Supper during Russell’s life, and his reasoning about the possibility of changing this date. The views were identified that remained unchanged, and which were subsequently subjected to correction or clarification during the transformation of the doctrine of the religious organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses.