God's Kingdom and the start of heavenly rule in 1914

What it is: A central belief of the religion is that Jesus Christ began ruling as Messianic King in heaven in 1914. This date is used to interpret the last days and the final phase of the present system of things.

How the religion understands it: The doctrine is built through a chronological reading of Daniel 4, connected with Luke 21:24 and the idea of the appointed times of the nations. Thus, 1914 marks the beginning of Christ's heavenly rule, not the immediate end of human history.

Context: Historically, this chronology arose in the environment of the Bible Students and was refined over time. In the current official formulation, 1914 remains one of the religion's most characteristic doctrinal axes.

Supportive

Apocalipse 12:10

biblia,novo-testamento,1914,reino-de-deus,apocalipse

Texto usado em conexão com o entronamento celestial e a queda de Satanás.

Referência: Apocalipse 12:10.

Conteúdo: A visão anuncia salvação, poder, reino e autoridade do Cristo em contexto celestial.

Uso no debate: É usado em conjunto com outros textos para apoiar leituras escatológicas sobre o início do governo celestial de Cristo.

Daniel 4:16-17

bible,old-testament,1914,daniel,chronology

Passage used as a remote basis for the chronology of the seven times.

Reference: Daniel 4:16-17.
Content: In the account about Nebuchadnezzar, the symbolic period of seven times appears within a context of royal humiliation and divine sovereignty.
Use in debate: The religion applies the text in an expanded way to build the chronology that culminates in 1914, a reading not accepted by most Christian interpreters.

Luke 21:24

bible,new-testament,1914,eschatology,nations

Text about the appointed times of the nations.

Reference: Luke 21:24.
Content: Jesus speaks of Jerusalem being trampled by the nations until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled.
Use in debate: The verse is associated with the chronological reading of 1914, serving as a bridge between Daniel and the movement's eschatology.

What Does Bible Chronology Indicate About the Year 1914?

jworg,1914,chronology,kingdom-of-god

Official explanation of the date 1914 in Jehovah's Witness interpretation.

Reference: Bible question on jw.org about the year 1914.
Content: The material connects the prophecy of the seven times in Daniel 4 to a decisive turning point in human rule and the beginning of the last days.
Use in debate: It is a primary source for the doctrine of 1914 and for the way the organization summarizes its chronological argument.

What Is God's Kingdom? Why Pray for God's Kingdom to Come?

jworg,kingdom-of-god,1914,144000,paradise

Official material summarizing the doctrine of the Kingdom, 1914, and the earthly paradise.

Reference: Teaching chapter and article on jw.org about God's Kingdom.
Content: The material describes the Kingdom as a heavenly government, associates 1914 with the start of its rule, and states that 144,000 govern with Christ while the earth will be turned into a paradise.
Use in debate: It is a very useful official source because it gathers several eschatological points in a simple and didactic formulation.