What do they mean? I thought Jehovah's witnesses believe 1914 was the year.
AWAKE 10/08/1966, p 19: "In what year, then, would the first 6,000
years of man's existance and also the first 6,000 years of God's rest
day come to an end? The year 1975."
WATCHTOWER 10/15/1966, p 629: "Discussion of 1975 overshadowed about
everything else. 'The new book compels us to realise that Armageddon
is, in fact, very close indeed,' said a conventioner."
LIFE EVERLASTING - IN FREEDOM OF THE SONS OF GOD, 1966, p 29:
"According to this trustworthy Bible chronology six thousand years
from man's creation will end in 1975, and the seventh period of a
thousand years of human history will begin in the fall on 1975 C.E.."
"It would not be by mere chance or accident but would be according to
the loving purpose of Jesus Christ, the "Lord of the sabbath," to run
parallel with the seventh millennium of man's existance."
WATCHTOWER, 05/01/1967, p 262: "...1975 marks the end of 6,000 years
of human experience.....Will it be the time when God executes the
wicked?....It very well could be, but we will have to wait to see."
WATCHTOWER, 08/15/1968, P 494: Article heading - "WHY ARE YOU LOOKING
FORWARD TO 1975?"
WATCHTOWER, 08/15/1968, P 499 (same article): "ADAM CREATED AT CLOSE
OF "SIXTH DAY" Are we to assume from this study that the battle of
Armageddon will be all over by the autumn of 1975, and the
long-looked-for thousand-year reign of Christ will begin by then ?
Possibly, but we wait to see how closely the seventh thousand-year
period of man's existance coincides with the sabbathlike
thousand-year reign of Christ....It may involve only a difference of
weeks or months, not years."
KINGDOM MINISTRY, 03/1968, P 4: "...there are only about ninety
months left before 6,000 years of man's existance on earth is
completed....The majority of people living today will probably be
alive when Armageddon breaks out..."
KINGDOM MINISTRY, 06/1969, p 3: "In view of the short time left, a
decision to pursue a career in this systemn of things is not only
unwise but extremely dangerous.....Many young brother and sisters
were offered scholarships or employment that promised fine pay.
However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests first."
KINGDOM MINISTRY, 05/1974, p 3: "Yes, the end of this system is so
very near! Is that no reason to increase our activity?....Reports
are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning
to finish out the rest of their days in this old system of things in
the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short
time remaining before the wicked world's end."
WATCHTOWER, 07/01/1974, p 397: "It also tells us that this millenium
must be preceded immediately by the most destructive war in all human
history. We can now see the political rulers...being gathered...for
that War of all wars...."