Jehovah's Witnesses' end of the world predictions

Predictions for the years 1925 & 1975

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For earlier predictions, see the preceding essay

1925 prediction:

The next estimate of the TEOTWAWKI after 1920 was set at sometime in 1925.

1925 also came and passed uneventfully.

Additional predictions: 1932 and 1941:

1975:

Some Witnesses expected a dramatic event to occur in 1966-JUN (6/66) because the number 666 was referred to as the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13:18. It was in this month that the WTS published "Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God." It contained a chronological chart which shows that 1975 was the "end of the sixth thousand year day of man's existence." ₈

They regarded the year 1975 a promising date for the end of the world, based on their original belief that it was the 6,000th anniversary of creation of both Adam and Eve at the Garden of Eden in 4026 BCE. They believe, along with many other conservative Protestant denominations, that the world would exist for exactly 1,000 years for each day of the creation week. Their Watchtower or Awake magazines taught that:

This prophecy was reinforced in their publications, notably Watchtower and Awake!, and at their assemblies. The close proximity of the end times encouraged the membership to increase their proselytizing efforts.

Membership rose significantly in the years leading up to 1975. Some members sold their possessions, cashed in their insurance policies, etc. in anticipation of the Millennium's arrival.

It never came.

For subsequent predictions, see the next essay

References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

1. "Millions now living will never die," (1918), Page 89.

2. "The Watchtower," 1922-NOV-1, Pages 333 & 346.

3. "The Watchtower," 1923-APR-1, Page 106.

4. Watchtower magazine, 1924-JUL-15, Page 211).

5. "The Watchtower," 1925-JAN-1, Page 3.

6. Cited in: Rado Vleugel, "2004: Jehovah's Witnesses still on the watch for the end of this world," WatchTowerInformation Service.org, at: http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/

7. "The Watchtower," 1941-SEP-15, Page 288.

8. Mathew Schmalz, "When Festinger Fails," Chapter 13 of Jon Stone, Ed., "Expecting Armageddon: Essential readings in failed prophecy," Routledge, (2000), Page 239. Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store.

9. The Watchtower Magazine, 1968-APR-1.

10. "Awake," 1968-OCT-8, Page 14. Online at: http://www.blueletterbible.org/

11. "The Watchtower," 1968-AUG-15.