Jehovah’s Witnesses 1925 Prophetic Speculations Whitewashed
Jehovah’s Witnesses (“Bible Students”, as they called themselves then) were forecasting that 1925 would bring the end of the world, so to speak. However, everything they so boldly forecasted to occur in 1925 failed to materialize. Humble people admit their mistakes, and don’t blame others for them. Jehovah’s Witnesses (Bible Students) have had more than their share of failed expectations, so one would expect that they might apologize for their false prophetic speculations about the year 1925.
“Are they ashamed of their disgusting actions? Not at all — they don’t even know how to blush!”—Jeremiah 6:15 NLT
Their membership didn’t get those wrong ‘expectations and hopes’ from reading the Bible. Instead, Jehovah’s Witnesses current leaders continue to shift the blame to their membership for the failed expectations raised about 1925.
“In 1925 many Bible Students expected the restoration of the earthly paradise. Why? . . . ‘It was thought that then the remnant of Christ’s anointed followers would go to heaven to be part of the Kingdom and that the faithful men of old, such as Abraham, David and others , would be resurrected as princes to take over the government of the earth as part of God’s kingdom.’ As the year progressed and their hopes did not materialize, some understandably became disappointed”—The Watchtower, Study Edition, October 2025
“They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace”—Jeremiah 6:14 New International Version
Where did these “many Bible Students” get these ‘expectations and hopes’ from?
Their membership didn’t get those wrong ‘expectations and hopes’ from reading the Bible. They got them from their leadership at that time, primarily Joseph F. Rutherford, as we will see below from their own publications. But even now, 100 years after their prophetic speculations about 1925 failed, their current leadership shifts the blame over to their members for having such wrong expectations.
THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER
Jesus had plainly warned against such things as calculating and setting dates for the end. “‘Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming . . . ‘”The time is near.” Do not follow them'” (Luke 21:8 New International Version). “Of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Mark 13:32 LSB). “The Son of Man is coming when you do not think He will” (Matthew 12:44 LSB). Jesus said there was no way that any human could figure out when he was going to return. But the Bible Students (Jehovah’s Witnesses) thought they knew something that Jesus didn’t even know himself. Contrary to the scriptures, they thought they knew when the end of the world would be, and boldly proclaimed this message far and wide..
“Proof Conclusive That Millions Now Living Will Never Die” —- We don’t think so!
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES CLAIM TO BE GOD’S PROPHET, PROVIDING “SPIRITUAL FOOD”
All those statements Jehovah’s Witnesses have made about not prophesying, notwithstanding, a common sense interpretation of statements made in their own publications indicates they have engaged in prophesying.
“So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet? . . . This “prophet” was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses . . . Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a “prophet” of God. It is another thing to prove it,” (Watchtower, Apr. 1, 1972, p. 197).
Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that from 1919 on its leaders have been used by Yahweh to provide “spiritual ‘food at the proper time'”. Notice:
“The prophecy in Revelation refers to the spiritual rebirth of a small group of anointed brothers who have taken the lead after a short period of forced inactivity as a result of unjust imprisonment. In 1919, they were appointed as ‘the faithful and discreet slave.'”—Watchtower, 7-1-2024, Questions From Readers
“Jesus foretold that during the time of the end, he would appoint a “faithful and discreet slave” to provide spiritual food. So we would expect that slave to be hard at work in our day. This has proved to be the case. Our overseer has used a small group of anointed men to provide God’s people and interested ones with spiritual “food at the proper time.””—Watchtower (Study), July 2022, p 10
Jehovah’s Witnesses claim their leaders have been specially chosen, directed, and used by God and Jesus to give out “spiritual food” to all mankind since 1919. This is in contrast to what the scriptures say: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16,17 BSB). According to the scriptures themselves, the scriptures themselves are the spiritual food that God has provided for all mankind to be ‘complete and fully equipped’.
The Bible says that ‘prophets’ whose prophetic speculations don’t come true should be ignored (Deuteronomy 18:22). Let’s next look at some of the specifics in this case.
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (BIBLE STUDENTS) 1925 PREDICTIONS
Below are some notable examples of the “spiritual food” they were providing, and a few of the speculative prophetic claims they made prior to 1925 about the year 1925.
“… this chronology is not of man, but of God…. the addition of more proofs removes it entirely from the realm of chance into that of proven certainty…. the chronology of present truth [is]… not of human origin.” (Watch Tower 1922 Jul 15 p.217). As we can see from this quote, made three years after they were supposedly selected by Jesus in 1919 to give “spiritual food at the proper time,” they were asserting that the flawed chronology was, not only “of God”, but also that there was ‘no chance of it being anything but a proven certainty’. That’s “presumptuous” (Psalm 19:13 LSB). But that’s not all. Notice:
“Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews chapter eleven, to the condition of human perfection.” Millions Now Living Will Never Die p.89
“The period must end in 1925. The type ending, the antitype must begin; and therefore 1925 is definitely fixed in the scriptures. every thinking person can see that a great climax is at hand. The Scriptures clearly indicate that the climax is the fall of Satan’s empire and the full establishment of the Messianic kingdom. This climax being reached by 1925, and that marking the beginning of the fulfillment of the long promised blessings of life to the people, millions now living on earth will be living then and those who obey the righteous laws of the new arrangement will live forever. Therefore it can be confidently said at this time that millions now living will never die.” (Golden Age, Jan. 4, 1922, p. 217)
“The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures because it is fixed by the law God gave to Israel. Viewing the present situation in Europe, one wonders how it will be possible to hold back the explosion much longer; and that even before 1925 the great crisis will be reached and probably passed.” Watch Tower 1922 Sep 1 p.262
“Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures, marking the end of the typical jubilee.” (The Watchtower4/1/1923 p.106). “When you take up a more advanced study of the Bible, you will find that the year 1925 A. D. is particularly marked in prophecy (The Way to Paradise, p. 220). In these two assertions, the 1925 date is said to be “definitely settled by the Scriptures”, revealed by “a more advance study of the Bible”.
However, not a single one of their prophetic speculations about 1925 came true. The particularly sad thing is that when these prophetic speculations about 1925 were made over 100 years ago, thousands were mislead into believing something false.
A question therefore arises, “Would God and Jesus have anything to do with giving out such tainted, inaccurate spiritual food?
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES POST DATED SPIN ON 1925
They admit:
“From 1918 down till 1925, they proclaimed, ‘Millions now living will never die'”—Proclaimers, p 163
“In the lecture ‘Millions Now Living Will Never Die,’ . . . attention was directed to the year 1925”—Proclaimers (1993), p 632
They have their spun the false claims of their prophetic speculations about 1925 into something positive. Notice:
“Stirring up increased interest in them, Jehovah caused to be preached from 1918 the startling public message, ‘Millions Now Living Will Never Die'” (Watchtower 11-15-55, p 698). They, in effect, blamed Almighty God Yahweh for their unscriptural prophetic speculation.
“What an exciting message they proclaimed! . . . News paper notices and billboards were used to advertise the lectures. The subject was intriguing” (Proclaimers (1993), p 425 [referring to the claims made about 1925 in the ‘Millions Now Living will Never Die” lectures]). Notice how they spin their false teachings about 1925 as something positive, using the words “exciting” and “intriguing”.
“Since 1919 the faithful slave has prepared a variety of publications that have given newly interested ones their first taste of nourishing spiritual food. In 1921 the slave prepared the book The Harp of God to help interested ones to learn basic Bible teachings” (Watchtower, July 2022). This book was used to promulgate the unscriptural 1925 date they set, is labeled as “nourishing spiritual food”.
“What a happy prospect! Though mistaken, they eagerly shared it with others” (Proclaimers, p 632). Though admitting their message was “mistaken”, they spin it as being “a happy prospect”.
Once they realized that Jehovah wasn’t behind such false claims, they’ve spun it like the following:
“As might be expected, when changes have required the setting aside of formerly cherished views, that has been a test for some” (Proclaimers, pp 618-641). Where did these “formerly cherished views” come from? Not from the Bible, but from their leaders’ unscriptural prophetic speculations, for which they take very little responsibility.
“Logically, to enjoy God’s backing, one must (1) teach only what God reveals in his Word, and (2) reject teachings based on human wisdom or tradition” (Watchtower, 6-1-2001, p 14). Analysis: Since their 1925 prophetic speculations: (1) were not based on God’s Word; (2) were “based on human wisdom”, the Bible Students (Jehovah’s Witnesses) did not have “God’s backing”.
Jehovah’s Witnesses should have heeded their own warning, but they didn’t. They should never have built up people’s expectations about any specific time period, let alone a specific year, such as 1925 (Matthew 24:36,42,44; Mark 13:32; Acts 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:1,2; Revelation 16:15)..
Did they give out “spiritual food at the proper time” regarding 1925? Was it “the truth” (3 John 4)? — No, on both counts, it wasn’t, and yet, they insist that God and Jesus specially used them to provide it.
It is unbelievable that they could spin things like they do, as though eagerly sharing “falsehoods” (Zechariah 10:2 NLT) is something approved by God.
“They have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush”—Jeremiah 8:12 NIV