Undergraduate Review
Volume 1 Issue 1 Article 6
1986
Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and the Stelle Group
Daniel Gray '86 Illinois Wesleyan University
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Recommended Citation Gray '86, Daniel (1986) "Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and the Stelle Group," Undergraduate Review: Vol. 1 : Iss. 1 , Article 6. Available at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/6
This Article is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Commons @ IWU with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this material in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This material has been accepted for inclusion by faculty at Illinois Wesleyan University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ©Copyright is owned by the author of this document. Gray '86: Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and TheS Turning and turing in the wide The falcon cannot hear the fal Things fall apart; the centre Cl Mere anarchy is loosed upon ~ The blood-dimmed tide is loos The ceremony of innocence is The best lack conviction, whi] Are full of passionate intensit)
Surely some revelation is at ha Surely the Second Coming is i The Second Coming! Hardly l When a vast image out of SpiT Troubles my sight: somewhere A shape with lion body and tl Terminal Visions: A gaze blank and pitiless as th Apocalyptic Thought Is moving its slow thighs, whil Reel shawdows of the indignar of Jehovah's Witnesses The darkness drops again; but and the Stelle Group That twenty centuries of ston) Were vexed to nightmare by a And what rough beast, its hOl Daniel Gray Slouches towards Bethleham t.
Please don't dominate the wra If you got nothing new to say. If you please, go back up the 1 This train's got to run today.
Apocalyptic thought, belief the American experience from moment. Apocalyptic is infuse culture. In differing degrees it creeds of almost every church, "mainline" churches (Presbyte Methodist, etc.) apocalyptic t· fundamentalist organizations (
24 Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986 1 Undergraduate Review, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [1986], Art. 6 The Second Coming
Turning and turing in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand; Surely the Second Coming is at hand. The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi Troubles my sight: somewhere in the sands of the desert A shape with lion body and the head of a man, Visions: A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun, Thought Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it Reel shawdows of the indignant desert birds. Witnesses The darkness drops again; but now I know ffe Group That twenty centuries of stony sleep Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Gray Slouches towards Bethleham to be born? WB. Yeats
Please don't dominate the wrath Jack If you got nothing new to say. If you please, go back up the track This train's got to run today.
"New Speedway Boogie" The Grateful Dead
Apocalyptic thought, belief and action have been an integral part of the American experience from Columbus' landing right up to this very moment. Apocalyptic is infused into many facets of American life and culture. In differing degrees it plays sorne part in the teachings and creeds of almost every church, domination and sect. In many of the "mainline" churches (Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, United Methodist, etc.) apocalyptic tends to receive little attention. More fundamentalist organizations (Assemblies of God, Latter Day Saints,
25 https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/6 2
I Gray '86: Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.) often focus and dwell upon apocalyptic and then attempt a descriptio concerns including Armageddon, Doom's Day and the Millenium. major features are. I will then Not to be dominated by religious groups, apocalyptic has played huge Jehovah's Witnesses and the ~ roles in American literature, film, television and politics. 1 A two and a a widespread, well-known, 11 half page article in the Fall 1985 issue of Convergance, entitled "The congregations across the cour Politics of Armageddon," describes statements, public and private, of Group is small, mostly unknc President Ronald Reagan that "mirror the Armageddon theology of (one in Illinois and one in T~ Jerry Falwell and his allies in the New Christian Right. "2 The author of in the last 23 years. This expl this article stresses that Reagan was saying similar things during his first and histories of each group, ~ term as Governor of California, indicating that Reagan is not making and prophecies concerning d comments of this nature for use as a political tool but that he is "one of millions of Americans who read the Bible as a sourcebook for The words apocalypse and predictions of global conflict." apokalupsis, which means to \ Upon reaching the coast of South America, Columbus quoted (of or relating to the end of t passages from Revelation and Isaiah which speak of "a new heaven and is concerned with revealing i a new earth," and wrote to the sponsors of his voyage, "I deeply feel present age, the Day of Judgr within me that there, where I have said, lies the Terrestrial Paradise.,,3 refers to either a group of wri Millenialism, belief in the second coming and thousand year reign of or to the idea and concepts t Christ, was very strong among the Puritans who viewed their no concensus among Bible S( Massachusetts settlement as a "city on a hill."4 Inherent in American means and there is no agreed culture from the start, apocalyptic has found expression in popular difficult to define "apocalypt religious treatments like Hal Lindsey's The Late Great Planet Earth, but considered apocalyptic is ver also has received a great deal of secular attention in popular which could not be known 0 entertainment. John Wiley Nelson, author and minister, describes the higher, non-human source is prominence of apocalyptic and prophetic themes in recent American the end of time, the entranc films and television shows. Analyses of Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, heaven, explanation of natu! the Western in general, On the Beach, and Dr. Strangelove (to name the Messiah, and the charac only a few) leads him to the belief that entertainment of this type is Normally these are presentee merely an expression of an "onslaught of fear, anxiety, paranoia and "some hero of the faith of p:: technological guilt."s Nelson then identifies three reasons for this The general form of apoa "onslaught." 1) Apocalyptic is as American as the hotdog. 2) After the tradition during the one hur civil rights movement, the burning of the cities, the assassinations, the prophetic ideals of the Hebr birth of the drug culture, the Vietnam War and Watergate, who dominating empires of Persi: wouldn't feel anxious, paranoid and Quilty? 3) A growing sense that The establishment of a com only radical, in-breaking action can successfully resolve problems today. Yahweh seefi.led less and leSE The End of the World is a compilation of essays which treat the use of supplant the prophets, insis apocalyptic themes in science fiction. A major characteristic of science change or break history. " TI fiction apocalyptic is that "the end of the world is seldom the end." righteous will survive the re The cataclysm is always followed by a new creation.6 And in the eyes on the earthly destinies of r of science fiction there will always be a cataclysm. "The twentieth behavior as they attempt to century has trained us to expect catastrophes. "7 people. The prophet perceive_ Though manifest in many aspects of life and culture, apocalyptic is Apocalyptic emphasizes fut rooted in the Bible. This paper will identify the source of apocalyptic their current suffering with
26 Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986 3 l I Undergraduate Review, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [1986], Art. 6 lnd dwell upon apocalyptic and then attempt a description of what apocalyptic is and what its n's Day and the Millenium. major features are. I will then explore the apocalyptic facets of the ups, apocalyptic has played huge Jehovah's Witnesses and the Stelle Group. The Jehovah's Witnesses are 1 'ision and politics. A two and a a widespread, well-known, 115 year old Christian sect with .f Convergance, entitled "The congregations across the country and around the world. The Stelle ~ments, public and private, of Group is small, mostly unknown organization with two communities he Annageddon theology of (one in Illinois and one in Texas) which have been started from scratch :hristian Right. "2 The author of in the last 23 years. This exploration will involve a brief description lng similar things during his first and histories of each group, paying particular attention to teachings ing that Reagan is not making and prophecies concerning the end of the world. litical tool but that he is "one of lie as a sourcebook for The words apocalypse and apocalyptic come from the Greek word apokalupsis, which means to uncover or to reveal, and are eschatological nerica, Columbus quoted (of or relating to the end of the world) in nature. Apocalyptic literature ich speak of "a new heaven and is concerned with revealing information relating to the final days of the :of his voyage, "I deeply feel present age, the Day of Judgment, and the age to follow. 8 Apocalyptic , lies the Terrestrial Paradise."3 refers to either a group of writings which possess certain characteristics n.g and thousand year reign of or to the idea and concepts typical of this kind of literature. There is :ans who viewed their no concensus among Bible scholars as to what the term apocalyptic I hill."4 Inherent in American means and there is no agreed-upon list of apocalyptic books, making it :>und expression in popular difficult to define "apocalyptic literature."9 The variety of topics usually "he Late Great Planet Earth, but considered apocalyptic is very wide but the subjects are always those attention in popular which could not be known of or discovered naturally; revelation from a n.or and minister, describes the higher, non-human source is always necessary. Topics addressed include IC themes in recent American the end of time, the entrance of the Kingdom of God, secrets of Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, heaven, explanation of natural phenomena, history of the creation, nd Dr. Strangelove (to name the Messiah, and the characters and deeds of both good and bad angels. entertainment of this type is Normally these are presented as having been a special revelation to f fear, anxiety, paranoia and "some hero of the faith of past days".10 cities three reasons for this The general form of apocalypse developed from the Judaic prophetic can as the hotdog. 2) After the tradition during the one hundred years or so preceding Christ. The le cities, the assassinations, the prophetic ideals of the Hebrews and their political realities (the Var and Watergate, who dominating empires of Persia, Greece and Rome) were not meshing. lty? 3} A growing sense that The establishment of a community based on a special relationship with cessfully resolve problems today. Yahweh seen:J.ed less and less likely. The apocalyptic writers began to of essays which treat the use of supplant the prophets, insisting that there must soon be "a radical , major characteristic of science change or break history." The present age must end, and only the Ie world is seldom the end." righteous will survive the revolution of the end times. Prophecy focused ~w creation. 6 And in the eyes on the earthly destinies of men and women and on their specific ::ataclysm. "The twentieth behavior as they attempt to fulfill their appointed role as God's chosen •phes."7 people. The prophet perceives the future as arising out of the present. ife and culture, apocalyptic is Apocalyptic emphasizes future events and encourages people to endure ltify the source of apocalyptic their current suffering with the assurance of a blessed future life. The
27 https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/6 4 Gray '86: Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and apocalypticist sees the future breaking into the present, not being constructed 6) only the moral person I 7) human choices have n< out of it. 11 According to G. E. Ladd, apocalyptic literature is the product of but they do effect the i IS three main factors. 1) The emergence of the "Righteous Remnant." come. Whenever people found themselves in a minority group, faithfully A glaring theme is apocal)l serving God but with little prospect of the whole nation adopting their vs. future salvation, evil vs. I 19 i~ perspective, there was a tendency to hold that the Righteous Remnant God, etc. Human history prophecies were fulfilled in them. 2) The problem of evil. 3) The forces, both personal and cos ending of prophecy. Apocalyptic was never prevalent when life was the world; the evil powers wi easy and straightforward, it was called forth by the circumstances of the be overcome by the direct in day. With its emphasis on God's final and perfect solution it made life forces implies that history is livable under intolerable conditions. 12 '~pocalyptic was a Judea cosmic struggle time will cea Christian world-view which located the believer in a minority eternity and the faithful will community and gave his life meaning by relating it to the end, soon to Apocalyptic tradition recc come, which would reverse his present status. The key to the a limited time in which hum interpretation of apocalyptic has usually been seen in the restlessness history is not deterministic. with the imperfection of the present and its quest for a new and total but needs humans, whose ch solution to the human problem."13 conditions which allow the 1 A feature of much apocalyptic is the use of a cryptic language and to reward moral behavior by strange symbolism, which makes the message unintelligible to the people must choose whether modem reader, or anyone outside the group for whom the writing was about when the End would 1 their own perspective) and t intended.14 It is very difficult to interpret in detail because it belongs within a sect or party. It is esoteric, its meaning to be kept secret until apocalypticists put their emI the last days, which always tum out to be in the apocalypticist's own that God would prevail. 22 H apocalyptic is not immediate time. IS The question to be asked of apocalyptic is not, "What the hell was the writer really trying to say behind and amid all that imagery and politics." Apocalyptic is a re symbolism?" It is rather, "What did the readers (the people) hope for back from immediate involv that could only be expressed in such outlandish use of images and about story." Apocalyptic is symbols?"16 meaning of current political The apocalypticists were concerned by the problem of why the way through the present sufi righteous should be called upon to endure very harsh suffering and that will "devolve from the persecution.17 They concluded that the goodness of God lies in his What types of people, or bringing a speedy end to the evils of history and the imminent kinds of literary expectatior: beginning of the Messianic Age. Characteristics of apocalyptic thinking movements almost always: ] include that: Have established clear bour: 1) history is teleological (exhibiting or relating to design or the world as essentially evil purpose), members which hail from aI 2) the teleology of history is moral, unsettled masses. In times c 3) the evils of history are necessary preludes to the realization of the movements create a "lively moral end of history, industrialization furnished c 4) this world will be cataclysmically destroyed before the new world groups as the Seventh-Day begins, same milieu also set the sta: 5) we are living at the critical period of historical transfonnation, apocalyptic vision which he
28 Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986 5 Undergraduate Review, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [1986], Art. 6 ) the present, not being constructed 6) only the moral person has a place in the new world, 7) human choices have no effect on the processes of history per se, :ic literature is the product of but they do effect the individual's own situation in the world to of the "Righteous Remnant." come. 18 ·a minority group, faithfully A glaring theme is apocalyptic is dualistic thinking-present suffering :the whole nation adopting their vs. future salvation, evil vs. good, evil spirits vs. good spirits, Satan vs. 19 old that the Righteous Remnant God, etc. Human history is seen as a dialectic between two opposing be problem of evil. 3) The forces, both personal and cosmic in character, which vie for control of lever prevalent when life was the world; the evil powers which are currently in dominance will soon forth by the circumstances of the be overcome by the direct intervention of God. This dualism of ethical md perfect solution it made life forces implies that history is "radically discontinuous." After the final '~pocalyptic was a Judea- cosmic struggle time will cease, "heaven and earth will become one for Le believer in a minority eternity and the faithful will enter the holy city. "20 by relating it to the end, soon to Apocalyptic tradition recognizes the existence of history, but only as •status. The key to the a limited time in which human change is possible. But God's control of Iy been seen in the restlessness history is not deterministic. "He sets the teleological course of history n.d its quest for a new and total but needs humans, whose choices he doesn't control, to create the conditions which allow the teleological processes to occur. He promises : use of a cryptic language and to reward moral behavior by implementing the Messianic Age, but lessage unintelligible to the people must choose whether or not to be moral. "21 Though details ~oup for whom the writing was about when the End would be (though never too far in the future from ret in detail because it belongs their own perspective) and how it would come about differ, all the meaning to be kept secret until apocalypticists put their emphasis on the next world and on their faith be in the apocalypticist's own that God would prevail. 22 History does not interpret itself. Therefore, xalyptic is not, "What the hell apocalyptic is not immediately concerned with "plain history and real ld and amid all that imagery and politics." Apocalyptic is a re-telling of events. It takes another step ~ readers (the people) hope for back from immediate involvement and response and becomes "story Itlandish use of images and about story." Apocalyptic is the cosmic, universal interpretation of the meaning of current political and historical happenings. It points the by the problem of why the way through the present suffering and total chaos toward those things ure very harsh suffering and that will "devolve from the mighty works of God. "23 ~ goodness of God lies in his What types of people, or groups, have tended to array behind these story and the imminent kinds of literary expectations of time, history and God? Apocalyptic lCteristics of apocalyptic thinking movements almost always: 1) Have had a charismatic leader (s), 2) Have established clear boundaries between truth and falsehood and see : or relating to design or the world as essentially evil territory to be avoided at all costs, 3) Have members which hail from among the sociologically and psychologically unsettled masses. In times of unusual social stress apocalyptic preludes to the realization of the movements create a "lively sense of group identity." "Urbanization and industrialization furnished a social context for the emergence of such ·destroyed before the new world groups as the Seventh-Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses. The same milieu also set the stage for refining other variants of the d of historical transfonnation, apocalyptic vision which helped to assure the place of hope for a 'new 29 https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/6 6 Gray '86: Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and heaven and a new earth' within mainstream protestantism. "24 Converts . of the world. When propheci to the new religions are concerned about their personal, physical and "spiritualized," or abandoned moral survival and because of this are very negatively oriented toward All of this prediction and ' the established society which is "sunk in materialism and headed scripture and involved, comr for disaster. "25 study, based upon examples t This brief summary of the tradition of apocalyptic is drawn from and month and day) are assigned is descriptive of very old religious traditions, which began to develop beginning of the existence oj during the first century Two thousand years later the conditions B.c. Nebuchadnezzar, baptism of I which made this type of movement possible still exist and still find also given significance: 1914 receptive personalities and mindsets willing to embrace and perpetuate beginning of the end times; : even the extremes of the apocalyptic lifestyle. The organization known the birth of the New Nation as the Jehovah's Witnesses provides an excellent contemporary example 6,000 years of human exister of the degree to which apocalyptic can thrive in American culture. earth will be completed; 291, In 1869, at the age of seventeen, Charles Taze Russell, heard a will be restored to mankind.: sermon by an Advent Christian preacher that restored his faith in the Jehovah's Witnesses hold t Bible. He did not become a Second Adventist, but gathered a few the sixty six books of the stal friends to meet weekly for systematic Bible study. "We came to as the only scripture, but rna recognize," wrote Russell, "the difference between our Lord as 'the man truthful than others. They hI who gave himself,' and as the Lord who would come again, a spirit only one that is completely ( being. We saw that spirit-beings can be present, and yet invisible to Bible was conducted by a cOl men.... we felt greatly grieved at the error of the Second Adventists, Bible "scholars. "29 Througho who were expecting Christ in the flesh ... "26 To counteract these plethora of Bible study aids, erroneous teachings Russell wrote and published at his own expense, in explain the Bible to its mem' 1873, 50,000 copies of "The Object and Manner of the Lord's Return," these Watchtower printings t the first publication of what would later be known as the Jehovah's importance of the Bible and Witnesses. Throughout the history of the Witnesses there has been a Witnesses were expected to I very confusing number of leadership associations made and dissolved, but only 197 pages of the Btl due usually to disagreements in theology, prophecy and prediction. My status of tradition and became discussion of the history and organization of Jehovah's Witnesses will were to be understood. 30 therefore be very simple and existent only to the extent necessary to "The Watchtower Society understand some of their teachings. it has held to a particular po The motivating factor behind the Jehovah's Witnesses development speculation or otherwise. TI as a sect (a religious movement alienated from the world, which stresses doctrine in question was un1 that it alone possesses the truth) and their insistence on remaining one that Watchtower leaders are has been their millenarian eschatology. No major Christian movement light. "31 For years "God's pe· has been so insistent on prophesying the end of the world in such the end of the Gentile Time: definite ways or such specific dates. They have consistently looked to when the faithful would be = specific dates-1874, 1878, 1881, 1910, 1914, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1975 1914 receded further into th and others - as having specific eschatological significance. 27 Russell identify that date as "the be originally believed that 1874 would mark the beginning of Christ's In 1975 an attempt was I'I "invisible presence," that 1878 and then 1881 would see the "change" Witness community on a IlL of members of the church from fleshly bodies to spiritual bodies, and hope that the Society's Ger that 1910 would be the beginning of global troubles leading to the end surrounding 1914 would be ,
30 Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986 7 Undergraduate Review, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [1986], Art. 6 ,tream protestantism. "24 Converts . of the world. When prophecies failed they had to be re-interpreted, )ut their personal, physical and "spiritualized," or abandoned. very negatively oriented toward All of this prediction and "prophecy" is based upon in-depth study of in materialism and headed scripture and involved, complicated chronologies developed from this study, based upon examples from the past. Specific dates (often to the of apocalyptic is drawn from and month and day) are assigned to historic biblical events--creation, the itions, which began to develop beginning of the existence of Israel, the fall of Jerusalem to JSalld years later the conditions Nebuchadnezzar, baptism of Christ, etc. Recent and future dates are lssible still exist and still find also given significance: 1914 as the end of the Gentile Times and the 'illing to embrace and perpetuate beginning of the end times; 1918 as the fall of Babylon the Great and ifestyle. The organization known the birth of the New Nation of Jehovah's Witnesses; 1975 as the end of Iexcellent contemporary example 6,000 years of human existence; 2875 as when the restitution of the '\ thrive in American culture. earth will be completed; 2914 as the date when dominion of the earth narles Taze Russell, heard a will be restored to mankind. 28 ler that restored his faith in the Jehovah's Witnesses hold that "all scripture is of God." They accept .dventist, but gathered a few the sixty six books of the standard Protestant Old and New Testaments 3ible study. "We came to as the only scripture, but maintain that some translations are more lce between our Lord as 'the man truthful than others. They hold that the New World Translation is the 10 would come again, a spirit only one that is completely error-free. Translation of the New World e present, and yet invisible to Bible was conducted by a committee composed of Watchtower Society error of the Second Adventists, Bible "scholars. "29 Throughout its history the Society has published a l ... "26 To counteract these plethora of Bible study aids, commentaries and other materials to published at his own expense, in explain the Bible to its members. Due to the emphasis placed upon ld Manner of the Lord's Return," these Watchtower printings there has occurred an inversion of er be known as the Jehovah's importance of the Bible and the "supplementary teachings." In 1981 the Witnesses there has been a Witnesses were expected to read 3,178 pages of Watchtower literature, 5SOciations made and dissolved, but only 197 pages of the Bible. Russell's teachings quickly attained the gy, prophecy and prediction. My status of tradition and became the only medium by which the scriptures ion of Jehovah's Witnesses will were to be understood. 30 mly to the extent necessary to "The Watchtower Society had been extremely doctrinaire whenever it has held to a particular position, whether relating to prophetic ~hovah's Witnesses development speculation or otherwise. Then, later, when it became obvious that the ted from the world, which stresses doctrine in question was untenable, it would retreat to the assertion heir insistence on remaining one that Watchtower leaders are not infallible and must progress with the r. No major Christian movement light. "31 For years "God's people" had anticipated October 1, 1914, as he end of the world in such the end of the Gentile Times, the end of all things and the moment ley have consistently looked to when the faithful would be lifted off the earth heavenward. As October , 1914, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1975 1914 receded further into the past, members of the society began to logical significance. 27 Russell identify that date as "the beginning ofthe end.,,32 Irk the beginning of Christ's In 1975 an attempt was made to get the governing body to set the en 1881 would see the "change" Witness community on a more open, less dogmatic course. There was bodies to spiritual bodies, and hope that the Society's Gentile Times chronology and the teaching .obal troubles leading to the end surrounding 1914 would be ditched, or at least re-examined. The
31 https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/6 8 Gray '86: Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and of the details of the end time a: closest they came to abandoning that teaching was a proposal to shift has been resurrected in spirit al the date from 1914 to 1957; from the generation that saw World War I midst of his enemies and prepa: to the generation that witnessed Sputnik and the beginning of the brought about by the sinfulness Space Age. 33 The latest spectacular date that has come and gone Satan. Eventually Christ shall. without fireworks is 1975, the end of 6,000 years of human history and 20:3 and destroy all wicked del: the probable beginning of the millenium. The "Stay alive till '75" serve as king-priests over mank. campaign proved to be a lot of hype, and caused serious chaos within paradise earth during his 1000- the power structure of the society and the falling away of many who The human soul is the perso 34 were weak in the faith. The preceding examples are enough to give us is the human soul that dies. T} a taste of the doctrinal integrity that has been practiced throughout the "life force" present in both mer entire history of the Watchtower Society. It would be unfair to assert spirits are in no sense conscioll that the leadership conciously engages in deceptions. The type of hellfire or purgatory. Hell is sir: person that reaches the upper tiers of leadership in the society is individuals can be resurrected I thoroughly steeped in millenial thinking and really believes that God Gehenna and the lake of fire rc; will work in the ways they have distilled from the scriptures-the inspired not indicate eternal torment, 1: word of God. die because Adam and Eve's wi Jehovah's Witnesses have always accepted and believed the perfection, and imperfect bein~ traditional Christian concept of the linear progression of history. raised up to make God's will kr History began with the fall of Adam and Eve in Eden. Jehovah people of the last days another destroyed the first world of man and wicked angels by flooding them accept it. 38 out. He smiled upon Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and gave their In its formative years the W~ descendants a divine law to live by. However, the law only made Israel's sense that it believed that othe innate sinfulness more apparent. Jesus Christ was sent to die in order to Protestants, were part of the c~ ransom Israel and humankind in general from sin and death. At that But as time passed Russell and point God revealed his will for men and the way in which they could be had a special role. He was the saved. At the same time Christ began to choose a "church class of 24:45-47 who was to provide ". 144,000 spiritual Israelites from among all sorts of men and women." faith. Though he originally ass This "little flock", "bride of Christ," etc. eventually will receive a teachings of, clergymen of varL heavenly resurrection to reign and rule with Jesus as king-priests for grew more negative towards, al 1000 years. Except for the people who have been "wilfully wicked" the pastors and priests. In 1919 Jud dead will be ressurected during the 1000-year reign of Christ and given president of the Society, began the opportunity to learn God's will and then accept or reject it. Those world in which business, gover living during the end times will either pass through Armageddon, into a Devil's chief instruments." He new earth which will eventually become an Eden-like paradise, or will had sided with Satan in opposi be completely destroyed by God's wrath. The dead who are resurrected Christian Witnesses. The Cat~ will be raised to that paradise. At the end of the 1000 years Satan and disfavor, with Protestant and J. his demon hordes will be released to deceive the nations. Then Satan, were all depicted as deliberatel his spirit comrades and those men and women that joined him in "Religion is a Snare and a Rad rebellion will be destroyed by the fire of God's wrath. Those left The formal organizational st alive will be declared justified and granted the loving reward of Jehovah's Witnesses are govern everlasting life. 35 government of God on earth. I This brief outline of the entire history of the world has appeared in hierarchial. The structure of rr Watchtower publications since 1884. We'll now take a glimpse at some mirrors the organization of the
32 Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986 9 of the detailsUndergraduate of the end time Review, as apprehended Vol. 1, Iss. 1 by[1986], Witness Art. 6 beliefs. Christ eaching was a proposal to shift has been resurrected in spirit and is now invisibly present, ruling in the ~neration that saw World War I midst of his enemies and preparing for Armageddon, which will be lik and the beginning of the brought about by the sinfulness and folly of mankind, influenced by te that has come and gone Satan. Eventually Christ shall cast Satan into the abyss of Revelation ,000 years of human history and 20:3 and destroy all wicked demons and men. He and his church will m. The "Stay alive till '75" serve as king-priests over mankind to bring them to perfection on a nd caused serious chaos within paradise earth during his 1000-year reign. 36 the falling away of many who The human soul is the person himlher self. When the person dies it .g examples are enough to give us is the human soul that dies. The soul is not eternal. The spirit is the as been practiced throughout the "life force" present in both men and animals, so when people die their tv. It would be unfair to assert spirits are in no sense conscious. Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in in deceptions. The type of hellfire or purgatory. Hell is simply man's common grave from which ~adership in the society is individuals can be resurrected to either a heavenly or an earthly life. 19 and really believes that God Gehenna and the lake of fire referred to by Jesus and in Revelation do d from the scriptures-the inspired not indicate eternal torment, but the second death---eternal. Humans die because Adam and Eve's willful sinning caused them to lose .epted and believed the perfection, and imperfect beings die. 37 Jehovah's Witnesses have been lear progression of history. raised up to make God's will known before Armageddon-to give 1d Eve in Eden. Jehovah people of the last days another opportunity to know God's will and ieked angels by flooding them accept it. 38 and Jacob and gave their In its formative years the Witness movement was fairly 'liberal' in the )wever, the law only made Israel's sense that it believed that other Christians, particularly some of the Christ was sent to die in order to Protestants, were part of the church of Christ and could gain salvation. al from sin and death. At that But as time passed Russell and his followers became convinced that he .d the way in which they could be had a special role. He was the special servant referred to in Matthew to choose a "church class of 24:45-47 who was to provide "meat in due season" for the household of all sorts of men and women." faith. Though he originally associated with, and borrowed from the :c. eventually will receive a teachings of, clergymen of various denominations, Russell gradually with Jesus as king-priests for grew more negative towards, and critical of, other churches, their have been "wilfully wicked" the pastors and priests. In 1919 Judge Rutherford, Russell's successor as 10-year reign of Christ and given president of the Society, began a campaign of condemnation of the I then accept or reject it. Those world in which business, government and religion "were labelled as the pass through Armageddon, into a Devil's chief instruments." He claimed that the clergy of all religions Ie an Eden-like paradise, or will had sided with Satan in opposition to the Lord, his Christ and his 1. The dead who are resurrected Christian Witnesses. The Catholic church was seen with the greatest ~nd of the 1000 years Satan and disfavor, with Protestant and Jewish clergy faring little better. They ~ceive the nations. Then Satan, were all depicted as deliberately misleading the children of God. women that joined him in "Religion is a Snare and a Racket."40 . ,f God's wrath. Those left The formal organizational structure, the theocracy, by which Ited the loving reward of Jehovah's Witnesses are governed is very important. To them it is the government of God on earth. In this case theocratic can be defined as ry of the world has appeared in hierarchial. The structure of the Witness government almost exactly le'll now take a glimpse at some mirrors the organization of the Roman Catholic Church (see charts). 33
https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/6 10 Gray '86: Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and Organizational Structure
The Organizational Structure of Jehovah's Witnesses JERe Jesl
~~Faithfr. Governing Body Slave" C
GOVl
;-L-L---L.....L-.1.....o~ ",, Chainnan's Writing Teac r------L....z...-_---, \ " '"' / Watchtower Society \ , , Committee Committee CODJJ / of New York \,' ffi es ~ The Watchtower's idea cJ' L6 D D 6 b 2; b '0 of 6 6 ~OWC;Ci[1;rnno' ~0'2:J 6 (from The Wi .---~__..;tL..'" Solid lines indicate the ordinaty , lines of communication within , the organizational structure of Jehovah's Wimesses; broken STRUCTURE OF ROMAl" , lines indicate more uncommon, CATHOLIC CHURCH but sanction~d, means of commUnication. , The Pope of Rome ' The College of Cardinals , The Papal Curia The Vatican Archbishops \\ Bishops ....--C-o-n-gr-'e'-ga-t-io-n----. t---L--, Priests Deacons Publishers ~ Regular Orders The Catholic laity
34 Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986 11 Undergraduate Review, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [1986], Art. 6 l Structure Apocalypse Delayed tal Structure Witnesses JEHOVAH GOD Jesus Christ
"Faithful and Discreet Slave" Class,Matt. 24:45,47 GOVERNING BODY ~.~ t~, ~// \~~ I1Ima , ' \ ,', Chainnan's Writing Teaching Service Publishing Personnel 50ciety I\ , , Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee ork \,' l \ COffi"}ittees' , ~oDLJD The Watchtower's idealized view of the theocratic government of Jehovah's Witnesses 5r~scr6 6 (from The Watchtower, 1 January 1977, 16)
Solid lines indicate the ordinary t \\ lines of communication within TS \ the organizational structure of b Jehovah's Witnesses; broken STRUCTURE OF ROMAN STRUCTURE OF JEHOVAH'S \ lines indicate more uncommon, CATHOLIC CHURCH ~TNESSGOVERNMENT but sanctioned, means of rs \ commUnication. J The Pope of Rome The President of the Watch Tower Society \ The College of Cardinals The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses The Papal Curia The Committee Structure of the Governing Body The Vatican The Brooklyn Bethel Archbishops District Overseers :J\\ Bishops Circuit Overseers Priests Elders Deacons Ministerial Services EJB Regular Orders Pioneers The Catholic laity The Jehovah's Witness community
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https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/6 12 Gray '86: Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and The theocracy is a bureaucracy of which the president, until 1971, was a 4) Appreciation for a religion, complete spiritual autocrat. After 1971, what is known as the governing mankind's ultimate question body came into existence reducing the role of the president to that of 5) An equal appreciation for a "first among equals. "41 The society exercises great control over the which the life of the individ Witness community through 1) the preaching work, and 2) the system Consequently most Witnesses tene of judicial committees. It is difficult for an ordinary Witness to own community as decadent and ( challenge the authority of an elder in his congregation, a circuit and military crisis is seen as anoth overseer or especially any aspect of the national leadership. 42 "Jehovah's to its end and is beyond repair. TIl Witnesses are, if anything, twentieth century sectarian Puritans with themselves (except for preaching, many of the same taboos and social attitudes as seventeenth century system of things. "47 English and New England forbears, along with more than a touch of Since the present evil world is F Victorian pietism. "43 For years the society has had a very negative any thing except the preaching we attitude toward anyone who has wanted to study the Jehovah's Witnesses exert time and energy on building in depth. The society has a policy of discouraging individual Witnesses charitable institutions. "The preac from publishing anything relating to their faith. If something needs to is seen as the 'touchstone' of their be published, the society will do it. Watchtower officials have an etre. "48The governing body has pl~ idealized history of the movement, created by suppressing or distorting through a work, through preaching. unflattering historical facts, to which they are dedicated to preserving. 44 that both the apocalypse and the e The society has been anti-intellectual since the early days. Russell therefore to Witnesses in general" instructed members not to send children to universities, college or high is not the grave"-it is rather to pI school. Though Knorr, the third president, raised the educational levels by reading Watchtower literature a up to the point of stressing the importance of basic education, it has Since almost the very beginning never been believed that higher education was necessary for the training use of the printed word has been IT of preachers and evangelists. Circuit overseers and elders have often over 53,500,000 Bibles, books and preached against higher education and made life unpleasant for any 460,072,000 copies of Awake! and Witness students who insisted on attending a university. 45 much evidence to the contrary, \V:; There are no prohibitions against any foods (except those containing believe that it is an effective mean blood) or any beverages, no peculiar dress styles and no absolute rate, the literature is a major sourc prohibitions against most forms of entertainment for members of the considered a most important factOl Jehovah's Witnesses. Yet every Witness feels constantly alienated from and is the basic means of inculcati the world by the many things he must not do and the many others that ordinary Jehovah's Witnesses. The he should not do. A Witness may not serve in the military, work for the view of James Penton, the Wat: another religious organization, hold an elected public office, produce, written articles, especially when d. sell or consume tobacco, stand for the national anthem, salute the flag, But it often repeats in tiresome fas use hallucinogens, celebrate hoidays, engage in improper sexual have been printed again and again relations, etc. 46 So why does anyone became a Witness? Some reasons rather low grade version of Reader'_ given include: hammers on the themes of sociall: 1) Disillusionment with chaotic political, social and economic Kingdom Ministry is a dull monthly conditions throughout much of the world. congregational service meetings ar: techniques. 50 2) Strong feelings of disillusionment with the religious groups with which they were formerly associated in both the Christian and There are currently about 2,700 non-Christian worlds. 34,500 congregations around the V' 3) Admiration for both Witness moral values and behavior. adherents. There has continued t()
36 Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986 13 4) AppreciationUndergraduate for a religion Review, which Vol. 1, claims Iss. 1 [1986], ultimate Art. answers 6 for ch the president, until 1971, was a mankind's ultimate questions. l, what is known as the governing 5) An equal appreciation for a social and organizational structure in ~ role of the president to that of which the life of the individual can become eternally meaningful. ~rcises great control over the Consequently most Witnesses tend to think of society outside their eaching work, and 2) the system own community as decadent and corrupt. Every political, economic )r an ordinary Witness to and military crisis is seen as another sign that the world is fast coming his congregation, a circuit to its end and is beyond repair. This means that they must keep to ~ national leadership. 42 "Jehovah's themselves (except for preaching work); apart from Satan's "doomed century sectarian Puritans with system of things. "47 titudes as seventeenth century Since the present evil world is passing away there is little time for ong with more than a touch of any thing except the preaching work. It makes no sense to them to :iety has had a very negative exert time and energy on building schools, hospitals, or any other ~ to study the Jehovah's Witnesses charitable institutions. "The preaching work of the Jehovah's Witnesses :liscouraging individual Witnesses is seen as the 'touchstone' of their lives, central to their very raison d' heir faith. If something needs to etre."48The governing body has placed a great deal of stress on salvation latchtower officials have an through a work, through preaching. The Watchtower society still teaches eated by suppressing or distorting . 44 that both the apocalypse and the dawning of a new age are at hand, they are dedicate d to preservmg. therefore to Wimesses in general "life is real; life is earnest; and its goal l since the early days. Russell is not the grave"-it is rather to praise Jehovah and vindicate his name ren to universities, college or high by reading Watchtower literature and placing it at doors. 49 . ident, raised the educational levels Since almost the very beginning of the Witness movement, extenSive tance of basic education, it has use of the printed word has been made. In 1983 alone they distributed ation was necessary for the training over 53,500,000 Bibles, books and booklets around the world plus over overseers and elders have often 460,072,000 copies of Awake! and Watchtower magazines. In spite of d made life unpleasant for any . . 45 much evidence to the contrary, Watch Tower leaders continue to ~nding a UniVersity. believe that it is an effective means of spreading their message. At any my foods (except those containing rate, the literature is a major source of income for the society, is dress styles and no absolute considered a most important factor in door~to~door preaching work, tertainment for members of the and is the basic means of inculcating ideas into the heads and hearts of 5S feels constantly alienated from ordinary Jehovah's Wimesses. The quality of the literature varies. In t not do and the many others that the view of James Penton, the Watchtower has some reasonably well~ serve in the military, work for written articles, especially when dealing with moral or social issues. m elected public office, produce, But it often repeats in tiresome fashion old doctrines or themes which e national anthem, salute the flag, have been printed again and again since World War I. Awake! is "a engage in improper sexual rather low grade version of Reader's Digest, is dated, pedestrian and became a Witness? Some reasons hammers on the themes of social breakdown and moral decay." Our Kingdom Ministry is a dull monthly bulletin outlining weekly olitical, social and economic congregational service meetings and repetitively discusses proselytizing fthe world. techniques. 50 ~nt with the religious groups with There are currently about 2,700,000 Jehovah's Witnesses comprising :iated in both the Christian and 34,500 congregations around the world, plus several million more adherents. There has continued to be a growth in numbers, but the loral values and behavior. 37
https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/6 14 Gray '86: Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and turnover rate has been very high. Policies of headquarters and the ideals and philosophy ext: governing body has led to the loss of many intellectuals and the Eklal Kueshana, pen nam defection of many of the movements formerly most loyal and able explanation of the organi members. 51 "In effect, then, while it is always dangerous to predict the man's position therein. T future, it is reasonable to believe that while in the short term Jehovah's telling of Richard's contal Witnesses will maintain their 'unworldly' sectarian style, eventually Brotherhoods. Through tl they will be forced to come to terms with the world which today they nature of man and what i would like so much to see destroyed. That is, unless mankind as a advancement, assuring so whole is overtaken by that great apocalypse or battle of Armageddon world as it currently exist which not only Jehovah's Witnesses but many others as well see as a some of the main points ( real possibility during the last years of the twentieth century. "52 Over a million years ag For the sake of recognizing the diversity of the American apocalyptic Individually each human experience, we will also take a brief glance at the Stelle Group whose through the course of tho approach to apocalypse contrasts sharply with the Jehovah's Witnesses, of existence, to gain coml but also parallels some of the basic underlying themes. The purpose of existence-the physical, I life is "Ultimate advancement to the pinnacle of existence-to be one this goal the Ego is knoW! with God! You cannot become one with God until you are His equal in to helping other Egos att~ knowledge of everything. God has provided the means and intermediate Master, the whole life wa steps to do so. It is the very meaning of our presence here. God created existence. Those beings 0 us in order to glorify Him in the greatest way imaginable, which is to those on that level progre elevate ourselves to his very level. 1153 where they become one \\ The Stelle Group was founded March 5, 1963, as not.for-profit It should only take one religious/educational corporation to provide a way for people to attain Mastership, but dUi consciously work toward the goal mentioned above. In January of 1970 the Egos on Earth have ta the Stelle Group bought 240 acres of land about 60 miles south of only a very small percent~ Chicago and began construction of a community, Stelle, lllinois, Egos are supposed to be ~ which it is hoped will eventually mushroom in growth. 54 Stelle is the members of one plane different from other intentional communities in that it pursues a other Egos on other plam balanced, holistic upgrading of all aspects of living, which includes the Egos that have become ~ conscious evolution of economics, politics, social structure, art, years ago to destroy the e: asthetics, education, health, technology, spiritual and psychological society that develops will growth, commerce, construction, agriculture and futuristic advancement. In this wa! undertakings. Its people are practical enough to use anything that has goal of perfection will ha proven workable in improving their lives and the environment of their and thus advance with d community. It is an ongoing community of people working to establish 7, 000 years before the pr a culture that transcends the mediocrity of mass-man. 55 The Stelle gets on 'the right track to Group provides an organization for persons to achieve the greatness just a few lifetimes; but f intended of human beings. But there are no recruiting drives or the path. "56 evangelism efforts, it is seen as far more appropriate that the people There are twelve degre who are naturally ready for the great work should actively seek a place first degree requires spirit there by their own volition. body, controlled clairvo',i The formation of the Stelle Group and the building and continued a long record of good wo existence of the Stelle community were inspired and guided by the profession and a burning Published38 by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986 15 ides of headquarters and the T ideals and philosophyUndergraduate expressed Review, in Vol.the 1,book Iss. 1The [1986], Ultimate Art. 6 Frontier by many intellectuals and the Eklal Kueshana, pen name of Richard Kieninger. This book is an formerly most loyal and able explanation of the organization and the workings of the universe and is always dangerous to predict the man's position therein. The book takes the form of an autobiography while in the short term Jehovah's telling of Richard's contacts with an organization known as the dIy' sectarian style, eventually Brotherhoods. Through these contacts Richard was instructed in the with the world which today they nature of man and what is being done to promote mankind's That is, unless mankind as a advancement, assuring some amount of preparation for the end of the alypse or battle of Armageddon world as it currently exists. What follows is a very brief summary of lut many others as well see as a some of the main points of this philosophy. f the twentieth century. "52 Over a million years ago the current human life-wave was created. ~rsity of the American apocalyptic Individually each human is called an Ego. The goal of an Ego is, :lance at the Stelle Group whose through the course of thousands of incarnations on the physical plane -ply with the Jehovah's Witnesses, of existence, to gain complete knowledge of the first four planes of lderlying themes. The purpose of existence-the physical, etheric, astral and mental. Upon attaining pinnacle of existence-to be one this goal the Ego is known as a Master and then dedicates all his energy ith God until you are His equal in to helping other Egos attain Mastership. After everyone has become a ovided the means and intermediate Master, the whole life wave advances to the fifth, or angelic plane of of our presence here. God created existence. Those beings on the angelic progress to the archangelic, and test way imaginable, which is to those on that level progress to the seventh level; the celestial plane where they become one with God. rch 5, 1963, as not-for-profit lt should only take one million years for all Egos in a life wave to lrovide a way for people to attain Mastership, but due to a number of factors and evil influences, \tioned above. In January of 1970 the Egos on Earth have taken one million ten thousand years so far and land about 60 miles south of only a very small percentage have made good progress. Although, all community, Stelle, lllinois, Egos are supposed to be Masters before progression to the fifth plane, hroom in growth. 54 Stelle is the members of one planet are not allowed to delay indefinitely all the nunities in that it pursues a other Egos on other planets in the universe. With this in mind, those >ects of living, which includes the Egos that have become Masters, developed a plan several thousand ,litics, sodal structure, art, years ago to destroy the earth and remake it, so that the culture and Jgy, spiritual and psychological society that develops will be conducive to spiritual and Egoic iculture and futuristic advancement. In this way, Egos who have been working toward the enough to use anything that has goal of perfection will have a better chance of attaining Mastership, ives and the environment of their and thus advance with the rest of the life wave. There are only about lity of people working to establish 7,000 years before the progression of the life waves, but once an Ego 'ity of mass-man. 55 The Stelle gets on 'the right track toward Mastership, they can make the grade in ~rsons to achieve the greatness just a few lifetimes; but the world today is not conducive to starting on are no recruiting drives or the path. "56 lre appropriate that the people There are twelve degrees of advancement toward Mastership. The work should actively seek a place first degree requires spiritual and emotional balance, control over one's body, controlled clairvoyant ability, a cheerful and willing personality, and the building and continued a long record of good works, a high level of skill in at least one trade or :re inspired and guided by the profession and a burning desire to be a Brother and work diligently for
39
https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/6 16 Gray '86: Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and the advancement of mankind. Degrees one through seven indicate the arrayed in practically a straight degree of control over oneself and one's environment. Attainment of to enough gravitational distort the seventh degree means that the Ego no longer must function on the Armageddon and Doom's D: physical plane, and is known as an Adept. The twelfth degree is Master in heart will be spared; the car, and indicates a complete understanding of everything possible on the Less than one tenth of the war first four planes of existence; a high proficiency in at least 144 trades, year 2001. Those who survive 1 arts, and professions; and that one is perfectly free from hate, fear, their convictions and civilizad envy, lust, and pride. t Kingdom of God. After Octob Those Egos who have already attained Adeptship or Mastership have formed upon "The Great Isle a ~ organized into twelve Brotherhoods dedicated to aiding the rest of . Pacific Ocean. The Brotherh()( mankind in their advancement. Five of the Brotherhoods are composed civilization was scheduled arou only of Masters who function strictly on the mental plane. The other Kieninger was given the task 0 seven are composed of Masters, Adepts and other advanced human major preliminary step for this Egos who have been carefully selected for special attention and the Chicago area for the traini instruction so that they may also be elevated to Adeptship. A Kingdom of God. This commu Brotherhood will never interfere in the affairs of a nation and will not Though given the guidance operate in the environment of any individual without expressed together by the highest ideals I invitation to do so, and then only if the person has done his very best been faced with the same diffi< to help himself and can go no further without aid. Students of the struggles, schisms, economic u Brotherhoods have included Moses, Socrates, Jesus, John the Baptist, slower growth than expected. 1 Buddha, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin. group gathered in Chicago; de' The Great Pyramid of Gizah was built under the supervision of the directed by Kieninger's wife; st Brotherhoods in order to record in stone the plan for the evolution of a land; constructed a woodworki superior society. The dates and events foretold in the pyramid were Stelle. There were a number 0 accurately predicted, usually to the minute, and the Brotherhoods have leadership styles, whether or n adhered to this established timetable. However, with the advent of the wife gained a large amount of I Aquarian Age in August of 1953, the period of the pyramid's prophecies husband exiled from the comIT came to a close. However, Chapter 16 of Revelation foretells the and she voluntarily quit the gr nature of the final years of the twentieth century. In The Ultimate concentrate on establishing an Frontier Armageddon and Doom's Day are two distinct occurrences. leadership at Stelle was vested Armageddon "is a series of wars, or more exactly one war with pauses, necessary for a person to be a I which began in 1914 and will grow more destructive and vicious as this Stelle. Now anyone who wish. century draws to its close. Armageddon's violent culmination will take It is a group of people who I place about a year before the tum of the century. It is a major responsibility for their own liV' instrument of the Judgment."s7 thought and talk among the rr Doom's Day will be the result of natural geological transformation. concerned with daily living b\ The Earth's crust is continually in the process of rising and falling, ,I would have them do unto you becoming alternately ocean and continent producing the stratified H someone has a complaint, t layers of rock that are easily observed in mountainous areas. The crust .~ working to correct the situatic is currently out of equilibrium; the continental arches are ripe for improvement and personal re~ buckling, and the ice caps are unbalanced. The trigger for the great There are about 100 people:
seismic re-shifting of the Earth's surface will come from an outside reside in surrounding towns, &. source. On May 5, 2000 A.D., the planets of the solar system will be another couple of hundred pe
40 Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986 17 - 5 one through seven indicate the arrayed in practicallyUndergraduate a straight Review, line Vol. across 1, Iss. space. 1 [1986], This Art. will 6 subject earth :'s environment. Attainment of to enough gravitational distortion to tip the balance. 58 ) no longer must function on the Armageddon and Doom's Day are the Judgment. Those who are pure lept. The twelfth degree is Master in heart will be spared; the careless and thoughtless will be removed. Ig of everything possible on the Less than one tenth of the world's population will be alive to see the 'Oficiency in at least 144 trades, year 2001. Those who survive these two catastrophes and can retain lerfectly free from hate, fear, their convictions and civilization to rebuild the world will comprise the t Kingdom of God. After October, 2001 A. D., the kingdom will be ,ed Adeptship or Mastership have formed upon "The Great Isle of the West" which will arise out of the :dicated to aiding the rest of J Pacific Ocean. The Brotherhood's plan for maintaining the best of )f the Brotherhoods are composed civilization was scheduled around the date of Doom's Day. Richard >n the mental plane. The other Kieninger was given the task of establishing the Kingdom of God. The s and other advanced human major preliminary step for this was the founding of a community near for special attention and the Chicago area for the training of perspective candidates for the evated to Adeptship. A Kingdom of God. This community is Stelle. 59 e affairs of a nation and will not Though given the guidance of the great Brotherhoods and brought jvidual without expressed together by the highest ideals known to mankind, the Stelle Group has le person has done his very best been faced with the same difficulties as any other group--power without aid. Students of the struggles, schisms, economic uncertainty, and a rockier and much )Crates, Jesus, John the Baptist, slower growth than expected. Under the direction of Kieninger, the Ijamin Franklin. group gathered in Chicago; developed a school for the children, ilt under the supervision of the directed by Kieninger's wife; started Stelle Woodworking; bought farm ne the plan for the evolution of a land; constructed a woodworking factory and houses on the site of foretold in the pyramid were Stelle. There were a number of schisms over democratic and oligarchic nute, and the Brotherhoods have leadership styles, whether or not to permit drug use, etc. Kieninger's However, with the advent of the wife gained a large amount of power and succeeded in getting her period of the pyramid's prophecies husband exiled from the community. In 1975 he was allowed to return of Revelation foretells the and she voluntarily quit the group. Kieninger then began to th century. In The Ultimate concentrate on establishing another community in Texas. The are two distinct occurrences. leadership at Stelle was vested in a chairman. Until 1981 it was )re exactly one war with pauses, necessary for a person to be a member of the Stelle Group to reside in re destructive and vicious as this Stelle. Now anyone who wishes to may live there. 60 n's violent culmination will take It is a group of people who have come together to recognize le century. It is a major responsibility for their own lives. There is a degree of apocalyptic thought and talk among the members, but the majority are mostly :ural geological transformation. concerned with daily living by the rules of "do unto others as you process of rising and falling, would have them do unto you" and "what you sow, so shall you reap." :lent producing the stratified .1 If someone has a complaint, they realize that they are responsible for .n mountainous areas. The crust OJ working to correct the situation. Great emphasis is placed on personal ltinental arches are ripe for improvement and personal responsibility. 61 tced. The trigger for the great There are about 100 people who live in Stelle, another 30 or 40 who :e will come from an outside reside in surrounding towns, 40 or 50 in the Dallas, Texas, area, and mets of the solar system will be another couple of hundred people across the country who support the
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https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/6 18 Gray '86: Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and group. Though minuscule compared to the size of the Jehovah's B Witnessess, Stelle provides a good comparison to them in regard to the forms that American apocalyptic expression is currently taking. Though Bergoffen, Debra. "The Apocalyptic they both fulfill all seven characteristics of apocalyptic thinking noted America. Ed. Lois P. Zamora. Bow early in this paper, the differences are quite striking. The Witnesses are Jorstad, Erling. The Pohtics of Doomsd: a more widespread organization with congregations in many locations. New York: Abingdon Press, 1970. Stelle is a residential community mostly withdrawn from the predominant culture and society, but they tend to be more open Kreuziger, Frederick A. Apocalypse an: Secular Soteriologies. Chico, CA: S minded and accepting of other people and do not insist on a conformity of thought to be a resident of their project. Jehovah's Witnesses Kueshana, Eklal. The Ultimate Frontie- eschatology is more strictly Judeo-Christian in background, contains Lang, Andrew. "The Politics of Arma- lots of questionable applications of scripture and numerous unfulfilled prophecies. Stelle's philosophy draws from many traditions but seems to Lippy, Charles H. "Waiting for the Er make a great deal more sense than the Jehovah's Witnesses. The dates Religion." In The Apocalyptic VisiOl' that have been predicted are yet to come, but preparation for the end University Popular Press, 1982. requires a refining of one's whole life, but The Ultimate Frontier allows Morris, Leon. Apocalyptic. Wm. B. Ee for more incarnations in the future to perfect oneself~ompared to the Witnesses' one life in which to find the truth. Nelson, John Wiley. "The Apocalypti Apocalyptic Vision in America. Ed. L This paper does not claim to reach any conclusions regarding the Press, 1982. validity of apocalyptic, but merely to identify some of its characteristics and current manifestations. Its persuasiveness and influence is quite Penton, James M. Apocalypse Delayed: Buffalo, London: University of Ton widespread, and in this day and age of earthquakes, terrorism, and reprisal, and the constant threat of nuclear annihilation, its influence Plank, Robert. "The Lone Survivor." : and message need to be taken into consideration. Martin H. Greenberg, Joseph D. C Southern Illinois Univetsity Press,
Rabkin, Eric S. "Introduction: Why D Eric S. Rabkin, Martin H. Greenbe Edwardsville, IL: Southern Illinois -
Wagar, Warren W "Roundtrips to Do Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Witnesses. New York: Watchtower B Zamora, Lois P., ed. The Apocalyptic W and Culture. Bowling Green Univer 42 Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986 19 Undergraduate Review, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [1986], Art. 6 red to the size of the Jehovah's Biblography :I comparison to them in regard to the expression is currently taking. Though Bergoffen, Debra. "The Apocalyptic Meaning of History." In The Apocalyptic Vision in ~ristics of apocalyptic thinking noted America. Ed. Lois P. Zamora. Bowling Green University Popular Press, 1982. s are quite striking. The Witnesses are Jorstad, Erling. The Politics of Doomsday: Fundamentalists of the Far Right. Nashvil1e & 'ith congregations in many locations. New York: Abingdon Press, 1970. mostly withdrawn from the but they tend to be more open Kreuziger, Frederick A. Apocalypse and Science Fiction: A Dialectic of Religious and ople and do not insist on a conformity Secular Soteriologies. Chico, CA: Scholars Press, 1982. r project. Jehovah's Witnesses Kueshana, Eklal. The Ultimate Frontier. 6th ed. Quinlan, TX: The Stel1e Group, 1984. Christian in background, contains f scripture and numerous unfulfilled Lang, Andrew. "The Politics of Armageddon." Convergance, Fall 1985, pp. 3, 12, 16. iWS from many traditions but seems to Lippy, Charles H. "Waiting for the End: The Social Context of American Apocalyptic L the Jehovah's Witnesses. The dates Religion." In The Apocalyptic Vision in America. Ed. Lois P. Zamora. Bowling Green J come, but preparation for the end Universiry Popular Press, 1982. !ife, but The Ultimate Frontier allows Morris, Leon. Apocalyptic. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1972. ~ to perfect oneself--eompared to the d the truth. Nelson, John Wiley. "The Apocalyptic Vision in American Popular Culture." In The lch any conclusions regarding the Apocalyptic Vision in America. Ed. Lois P. Zamora. Bowling Green University Popular Press, 1982. to identify some of its characteristics 'Suasiveness and influence is quite Penton, James M. Apocalypse Delayed: The Story ofJehovah's Witnesses. Toronto, e of earthquakes, terrorism, and Buffalo, London: Universiry of Toronto Press, 1985. f nuclear annihilation, its influence Plank, Robert. "The Lone Survivor." In The End of the World. Ed. Eric S. Rabkin, consideration. Martin H. Greenberg, Joseph D. Olander. Carbondale and Edwardsville, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1983. Rabkin, Eric S. "Introduction: Why Destroy the World?" In The End of the World. Ed. Eric S. Rabkin, Martin H. Greenberg, and Joseph D. Olander. Carbondale and Edwardsville, IL: Southern Illinois Universiry Press, 1983. Wagar, Warren W. "Roundtrips to Doomsday." In The End of the World. Ed. Eric S. Rabkin, Martin H. Greenberg, and Joseph D. Olander. Carbondale and Edwardsville, IL: Southern Illinois Universiry Press, 1983. Watchtower Bible and Tract Sociery of Pennsylvania. 1975 Yearbook and Jehovah's Witnesses. New York: Watchtower Bible and Tract Sociery of Pennsylvania, 1974. Zamora, Lois P., ed. The Apocalyptic Vision in America: Interdisciplinary Essays on Myth and Culture. Bowling Green Universiry Popular Press, 1982. 43 https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/6 20 Gray '86: Terminal Visions: ApocalypticNotes Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and 24 Lippy, pp. 48, 50, 52 I Lois P. Zamora, ed., The Apocalyptic Vision in America (Bowling Green University Popular Press, 1982). 25 Bergoffen, p. 33. Eric S. Rabkin, Martin H. Greenberg and Joseph D. Olander, eds., The End of the 26 1975 Yearbook of the Jehovah's Witne.. World (Carbondale and Edwardsvil1e: Southern Illinois University Press, 1983). Society of Pennsylvania, 1974), pp. Erling Jorsted, The Politics of Doomsday (Nashville and New York: Abingdon Press, 27 James M. Penton., Apocalypse Dela: 1980). Toronto Press, 1983), p. 3. Frederick A. Kreuziger, Apocalypse and Science Fiction (Chico, CA: Scholars Press, 28 Penton, pp. 196-201. 1982). 29 Penton, pp. 172-173. 2 Andrew Lang, "The Politics of Armageddon," Convergance, (Fall 1985), p. 16. 30 Penton, pp. 160, 231. 3 Zamora, p. 1. 31 Penton, pp. 169. 4 Charles H. Lippy, "Waiting for the End: The Social Context of American 32 1975 Yearbook, pp. 72-74. Apocalyptic Religion," in The Apocalyptic Vision in America, ed. by Lois P. Zamora (Bowling Green University Popular Press, 1982), pp. 37, 39. 33 Penton, pp. 218-219. 34 Penton, pp. 91-96. 5 John Wiley Nelson, "The Apocalyptic Vision in American Popular Culture," in The Apocalyptic Vision in America, ed. by Lois P. Zamora (Bowling Green University 35 Penton, pp. 179-180. Popular Press, 1982), p. 179. 36 Penton, p. 187. 6 W. Warren Wagar, "Roundtrips to Doomsday," in The End of the World, ed. by Eric S. Rabkin, Martin H. Greenberg, and Joseph D. Olander (Carbondale and 37 Penton, p. 190. Edwardsville: Southern Illinois University Press, 1983), p. 73. 38 Penton, p. 181. 7 Robert Plank, "The Lone Survivor," in The End of the World, ed. by Eric S. Rabkin, 39 Penton, p. 5. Martin H. Greenberg, and Joseph S. Olander (Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern Illinois Press, 1983), p. 45. 40 Penton, pp. 127-130. 41 Penton, pp. 211-214. 8 Zamora, p. 2. 42 Penton, pp. 245-250. 9 Leon Morris, Apocalyptic (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1972), pp. 19, 20. 43 Penton, p. 155. 10 Morris, p. 32. 44 Penton, pp. 104-108. 11 Zamora, p. 2. 45 Penton, pp. 271-273. 12 Morris, pp. 23, 25-26. 46 Penton, p. 280. 13 Wm. A. Beardslees in Morris, p. 25. 47 Penton, pp. 260, 280. 14 Zamora, p. 5. Morris, p. 34. 15 Morris, p. 32. 48 Penton, pp. 154, 206. 49 Penton, p. 279. 16 Kreuziger, p. 2. 50 Penton, pp. 231-232. 17 Morris, p. 59. 51 Penton, pp. 7, 302. 1975 Yearbook, 18 Debra Bergoffen, "The Apocalyptic Meaning of History," in The Apocalyptic Vision in America, ed. by Lois P. Zamora (Bowling Green University Popular Press, 1982), pp. 52 Penton, p. 306. 25, 29-30. 53 Eklal Kueshana, The Ultimate Fran 19 Morris, p. 47. 25-26. 20 Zamora, pp. 3, 4. 54 Kueshana, pp. 265, 270. 21 Bergoffen, pp. 16, 21. 55 Kueshana, p. 282. Z2 Morris, pp. 42, 43. 56 Kueshana, p. 43. 23 Kreuziger, pp. 138, 183-184. 57 Kueshana, p. 47. 58 Kueshana, p. 131. 44 Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986 21 Notes Undergraduate Review, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [1986], Art. 6 24 Lippy, pp. 48, 50, 52 lision in America (Bowling Green University 25 Bergoffen, p. 33. :and Joseph D. Olander, eds., The End of the 26 1975 Yearbook of the Jelwvah's Witnesses (New York: Watchtower Bible and Tract : Southern Illinois University Press, 1983). Society of Pennsylvania, 1974), pp. 35, 36. y (Nashville and New York: Abingdon Press, 27 James M. Penton., Apocalypse Delayed (Toronto, Buffalo, London: University of Toronto Press, 1983), p. 3. dScience Fiction (Chico, CA: Scholars Press, 28 Penton, pp. 196-201. 29 Penton, pp. 172-173. :eddon," Convergance, (Fall 1985), p. 16. 30 Penton, pp. 160, 231. 31 Penton, pp. 169. ld: The Social Context of American J2 1975 Yearbook, pp. 72-74. lyptic Vision in America, ed. by Lois P. Zamora 'ress, 1982), pp. 37, 39. 33 Penton, pp. 218-219. : Vision in American Popular Culture," in The 34 Penton, pp. 91-96. Lois P. Zamora (Bowling Green University 35 Penton, pp. 179-180. 36 Penton, p. 187. lmsday," in The End of the World, ed. by Eric S. loseph D. Olander (Carbondale and 37 Penton, p. 190. ersity Press, 1983), p. 73. 38 Penton, p. 181. n The End of the World, ed. by Eric S. Rabkin, 39 Penton, p. 5. Olander (Carbondale and Edwardsville: 40 Penton, pp. 127-130. 41 Penton, pp. 211-214. rdmans Publishing Co., 1972), pp. 19, 20. 42 Penton, pp. 245-250. 43 Penton, p. 155. 44 Penton, pp. 104-108. 45 Penton, pp. 271-273. 46 Penton, p. 280. 47 Penton, pp. 260, 280. 48 Penton, pp. 154, 206. 49 Penton, p. 279. 50 Penton, pp. 231-232. .1eaning of History," in The Apocalyptic Vision in 51 Penton, pp. 7, 302. 1975 Yearbook, p. 3. ling Green University Popular Press, 1982), pp. 52 Penton, p. 306. 53 Eklal Kueshana, The Ultimare Frontier, (Quinlan, TX: The Stelle Group 1984) pp. 25-26. ' , 54 Kueshana, pp. 265, 270. 55 Kueshana, p. 282. 56 Kueshana, p. 43. 57 Kueshana, p. 47. 58 Kueshana, p. 131. 45 https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/rev/vol1/iss1/6 22 Gray '86: Terminal Visions: Apocalyptic Thought of Jehovah's Witnesses and 59 Kueshana, pp. 22-23, 26, 42-43, 47, 61, 63, 66, 73, 129, 130, 132, 133, 282. 60 Kueshana, p. 283. 61 Interview with Robert Frothingham, 15 year member of the Stelle Group, April 15, 1986. From Midd to Holmes The Joumey 0 a The Life of 1 limy Dan Gray - is from West Lafayette, Indiana, where he attended West Lafayette High School. Dan studied History and Religion and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History in May 1987. Dan intends to go to seminary in the fall of 1987. 46 Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 1986 23