Differences

Differences Between Russell’s Views and Rutherford’s

(sample selection)

Prohibitions on Jehovah’s Witnesses

Russell:

Russell celebrated birthdays and Christmas, tolerated his followers who were in the Army, did not consider Acts 15:20 a permanent prohibition against eating blood, allowed his followers to attend other churches, and believed in the historic cross of Christ. Russell also believed in worshipping Christ, though he rejected his Deity. The American flag could be displayed.

Rutherford: Rutherford banned the celebration of birthdays and holidays as pagan, disfellowshiped those who joined the military or attended other churches, banned the use of blood, and rejected the cross as a pagan symbol, saying that Christ died on an upright stake. Rutherford taught that Jesus Christ was Michael the Archangel, and could not be worshiped. The American flag was not to be displayed or saluted. (Index of Watchtower Errors, David A. Reed, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1990.)

The Name Jehovah’s Witnesses

Russell:

We always refuse to be called by any other name than that of our Head- Christians- continually claiming that there can be no division among those continually led by his Spirit and example as made known through his Word. (WT Reprints, March 1883, p. 458.) And so by whatsoever names men may call us, it matters not to us; we acknowledge none other name than the only name given under heaven and among men” - Jesus Christ. We call ourselves simply CHRISTIANS and we raise no fence to separate from us any who believe in the foundation stone of our building mentioned by Paul: `That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and those for whom this is not broad enough have no right to the name Christian.” (Watchtower, Feb. 1884, p. 2.)

Rutherford:

Brother Rutherford told me himself that he woke up one night when he was preparing for that convention and he said, `What in the world did I suggest an international convention for when I have no special speech or message for them? Why bring them all here? And then he began to think about it, and Isaiah 43 came to his mind. He got up at two oclock in the morning and wrote in short-hand, at his own desk, an outline of the discourse he was going to give about the Kingdom, the hope of the world, and about the new name. And all that was uttered by him at that time was prepared that night, or that morning at two oclock. And [there is] no doubt in my mind - not then nor now - that the Lord guided him in that, and that is the name Jehovah wants us to bear and were very happy and very glad to have it. (1975 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, quoting A.H. Macmillan on the invention of the name Jehovah’s witnesses, p. 151)

By giving his people a new name Jehovah has branded his people so that there can be no mistake as to their identity. These will henceforth stand out separate and distinct from all professed followers of Christ Jesus… We have been waiting for something of this kind, so that we could be clearly discerned from those who claim to be servants of God. (The Watch Tower, 9/15/31, p. 279)

Faithful & Discreet Slave Class

Russell:

Though he would not admit it publicly, Russell privately admitted to being the slave of Matthew 24:45. No other identity for the slave was given or allowed.

Rutherford:

The faithful slave was a class of believers, specifically those 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7 & 14. These would be all those who would rule with Christ in heaven. Though Russell could allow that these were scattered about in different churches in his early writings, Rutherford demanded that they must now be a part of Gods organization: All who have taken their stand on the side of Jehovah must abide in his organization under Christ, if they would live. There is no exception to this rule.

The name `Jehovah’s witnesses applies specifically to God’s anointed ones who have been taken out of the world and made witnesses for Jehovah, and these alone bear the new name… The official organization on earth consists of his anointed remnant, and the Jonadabs who walk with the anointed are to be taught, but not to be leaders. (WT 8/15/34, p. 249)

Note: While Rutherford developed the doctrine that the Watchtower Society (meaning the 144,000) was God’s channel of communication, he apparently never believed it, as he was said to have written all of the Watchtower articles and books during his presidency, and no one else was consulted in the process.

God’s Organization

Russell:

We always refuse to be called by any other name than that of our Head- Christians continually claiming that there can be no division among those continually led by his Spirit and example as made known through his Word. (WT Reprints, March 1883, p. 45

For the same reason that Jesus did not organize congregations while present with his disciples in the Jewish harvest, we do not consider expedient or necessary organizations even simple and unsectarian as those established by the apostles. (WT Reprints, Oct. 1883, p. 536)

Rutherford:

Some claiming to be fully devoted to Jehovah find it difficult to learn to be obedient to organization instructions… If you find it difficult to be in harmony with the organization instructions, that is sufficient reason for a careful self-examination to see what is your standing before the Lord… angels are delegated by the Lord to convey his instructions to the members of his organization on earth. Just how this is done is not necessary for us to understand. (WT, 12/1/33, p. 364)

All who have taken their stand on the side of Jehovah must abide in his organization under Christ, if they would live. There is no exception to this rule. (WT 8/15/34, p. 249)

The Earthly Hope

Russell:

The Great Company (Great Crowd of Rev. 7:9) is a secondary heavenly class, not as dedicated as the 144,000. They will be in heaven but as companions of the Bride (servants of the 144,000), and there will be a very great difference in the degrees of glory. (WT Reprints, March 1883, p. 45

Russell taught that the Great Multitude were half-hearted Christians:

It is because they fear the reproaches of Christ that they shirk present privileges and opportunities for walking with him in white… [and] must be treated like the hypocrites and pass through the great tribulation in order to their purification. (WT Reprints, June 1, 1897, p. 2161)

Rutherford:

Rutherford claimed that Christ returned to his temple in 1918 (establishing the identity of the faithful and wise servant), and that he cleansed the temple in 1932 (allowing him to understand the identity of the Great Multitude in a new way). These are not less-faithful ones as Russell taught, but they are fully faithful to Jehovah. However, they are now understood to have the altogether different hope of living on a paradise earth. (The Watchtower, August 1 & 15, 1935, pgs. 233-252)

Prophetic Dates

Russell:

1799 was beginning of time of the end, 1874 was the invisible return of Christ, and 1914 would be the end of the world. (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 4, 1897, p. 621; Zion’s Watch Tower, Jan. 15, 1892, p. 21-23)

Rutherford: Rejection of significance of 1799 and 1874, and 1914 changed to be the invisible return of Christ. 1925 would bring the new order, the millenial reign of Christ, and the resurrection of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to the earth.

1940: Armageddon is just ahead… the great climax has been reached. Tribulation has fallen upon those who stand by the Lord. (The Messenger, 9/1/40, p. 6)

1941: [We are] in the remaining months before Armageddon. (The Watchtower, 9/15/41, p. 28