Taught what about 1914?

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In 1974 Watchtower explained that for nearly 4 decades prior to 1914 Jehovah’s Witnesses had advance knowledge that in year 1914 something would end. Here is how Watchtower puts it[1]:

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When researching historical events it is better to examine then contemporary records to know, in the case of a teaching, what was actually being taught. As it relates to something ending in 1914, here is how Watchtower put it in year 1902[2]:

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It is true that prior to 1914 Watchtower was teaching the “gentile times” would end in 1914. But prior to 1914 the meaning of the end of the gentile times was very different than what Watchtower taught post-1914.

As shown above, prior to 1914 the Watchtower organization was predicting that year 1914 would mark the end of the gentile times, but this ending was said to be the culmination of Armageddon (termed “the battle of the great day of God Almighty”). This is what those associated with Watchtower had been informed of for nearly 4 decades prior to 1914.

Armageddon did not occur in 1914 as taught by Watchtower prior to that year, and Armageddon was said to mark the end of the gentile times. The "striking accuracy" asserted by Watchtower in year 1974 is false.

Marvin Shilmer
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References:

1. 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, published by Watchtower, 1974 p. 37.

2. The Time is at Hand, published by Watchtower, 1902 p. 101.

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