Notes on the FINISHED MYSTERY (1917)
After Russell's death in 1916, Joseph F. Rutherford became president of the Society. In 1917 he published The Finished Mystery in which he made some bold predictions of his own regarding the years 1918 and 1920. These predictions also failed to materialize. However when a new edition of the book was published in 1926, the offending statements were modified so as to cover up the false prediction:
The Finished Mystery 1917 Edition
"Also in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches and the church members by millions it shall be that any that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russell to learn the meaning of the downfall of "Christianity."
"16:20. And every island fled away. Even the republics will disappear in the fall of 1920."
"And the mountains were not found. Every kingdom of the earth will pass away, be swallowed up in anarchy." -page 485 (A-11)
"The three days in which Pharaoh's host pursued the Israelites into the
wilderness represent the three years from 1917 to 1920 at which time all
of Pharaoh's messengers will be swallowed up in the sea of angry humanity. The
wheels will come off their chariots - organizations." -page 258
(A-11)
The Finished Mystery 1926 Edition
"Also in the year 1918, when God begins to destroy the churches and the church members by millions it shall be that any that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russell to learn the meaning of the downfall of "Christianity."
"16:20. And every island fled away. Even the republics will disappear in the time of anarchy."
"And the mountains were not found. Every kingdom of the earth will pass away, be swallowed up in anarchy." -page 485 (A-11)
"The three days in which Pharaoh's host pursued the Israelites into the wilderness represent the three years preceding the time of anarchy at which time all of Pharaoh's messengers will be swallowed up in the sea of angry humanity. The wheels will come off their chariots - organizations." -page 258
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Creek/8867/Letter5web.html
Misc. notes on the Finished Mystery:
*** The Finished Mystery, 1926 edition, p 85 ***
[Regarding Job 40:15 to 41:34, where "leviathan" is interpreted as a
train locomotive]
Thou wilt lengthen out leviathan (the locomotive) with a hook (automatic
coupler) or with a snare (coupling-link) to drop down. Wilt thou not place a
ring (piston) in his nostrils (cylinders) or pierce through his cheeks
(piston-ends) with a staff (piston rod)? Will he make repeated supplications
unto thee (to get off the track)? Or will he utter soft tones unto thee (when he
screeches with the whistle)? ... Wilt thou play with him as with a bird (make
him whistle at will)? Or wilt thou bind (enslave) him for thy maidens (so that
you can take them to a picnic or convention)? Companies (of stockholders) will
feast upon him (his earnings).. [Emphasis added]
How many books has the Society published on Revelation?
Thus far, the Watchtower Society has published four successive interpretations of the book of Revelation. The Finished Mystery in 1917 was the first. Next came Light in 1930, published in two volumes. Yet to come were Babylon the Great Has Fallen! God's Kingdom Rules, in 1963 and its companion Then Is Finished the Mystery of God in 1969, and finally in 1988 Revelation, Its Grand Climax At Hand! Each successive interpretation has had to revise and correct the errors in understanding of the previous offering, as the outworking of history demonstrated their predictions to be false. The prophecies in The Finished Mystery were described as "established truths," and "God's dates, not mans." But now in the Light book, these "truths" were set aside with the following explanation:
"For many years those who have loved God have sought for an understanding of the prophecies, and particularly those written by Daniel and Ezekiel, and those in Revelation. God has never been displeased with this effort, as is indicated by the Scriptures; nor should it be expected that God will permit the true understanding of these prophecies to be had until his due time." Light Vol. 2, page 295
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Creek/8867/Letter5web.html