Jehovah's Witnesses. How would an unbiased person come to your 1914 date?

The major problem with the 1914 teaching is that it requires to many

'assumptions'. It must be 'assumed' that the seven periods of time

that Nebuchadnezzar was insane, were years—seven years exactly.

Otherwise the counting will not work.

It must be 'assumed' that the days in seven years are to be

stretched out on a year-for-a-day scale spanning centuries.

It must be 'assumed' that a year should be figured as 360

days—in order to obtain the number 2,520—but then a different

calendar, a solar calendar with 365 days, is used to measure to

1914!

It must be 'assumed' that the secular date of B.C. 536 that

Russell used (to which the 70 years of captivity are added), is

precisely correct, despite considerable present-day scholarship to

the contrary.

It must be 'assumed' that when Jesus spoke of the “times of the

Gentiles” he was referring to 2,520 years of Gentile rule.

The entire 1914 teaching hinges on the “seven times” of

Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity lasting seven YEARS. If those “seven

times” were not seven YEARS—and seven years exactly—the

whole teaching crumbles.

Were the seven “times” mentioned in Daniel 4 seven years?

The word translated “time” or “times” (‘iddan, H5732 in

Strong’s Concordance)—used only in Daniel* —is recognized

on all sides to mean simply a period of time. As Barnes’ Notes on

the Bible, says, “...the word may refer to any such period [of

time], however long or short—a day, a month, a year, or any other

measure of duration.”

It is generally believed that when ‘iddan is used in the phrase

“a time and times and half a time” (Dan. 7:25), it does indicate a

year, and so a period of three-and-a-half years. In the book of

Revelation the phrase appears to be used interchangeably with

1,260 days and 42 months (cf. Rev. 12:14; 11:2, 3).

There are reasons to believe this phrase is probably a

round number. In any case, to stretch 1,260 days into 1,260 years,

would require another step entirely, one that is NOT mentioned in the

text.

So while ‘iddan—meaning simply a period of time—could

mean a year, there is no indication this is the case in Daniel 4. The

odds of that, are slim.

If the writer had wanted to use a word that specifically means

year in Daniel 4:25, he could have done so. Indeed, he did use this

word in numerous other places: “In the third year of the reign of

Jehoiakim...three years of training...Daniel continued until the first

year of King Cyrus” (Dan. 1:1, 5, 21, etc.). That word, translated

“year,” is #H8141 in Strong’s Concordance.

Because ‘iddan is a word for time—regardless of length—the

period during which Nebuchadnezzar was insane is commonly

translated as “seven periods of time” or “seven seasons” (NLT,

ESV, NASB, HCSB, NET, GWT, NIV, etc.). Even the New World

Translation (published by the Watchtower Society), does not

insert the word “years,” but (quite honestly) uses “seven times,”

the same as the KJV, NKJV, etc.

The scholarly Pulpit Commentary (on Daniel 4:16)—with no

doctrine to uphold on this point, one way or another—says that

‘iddan means no more than “seasons” or “points” of time, adding

that “it is purely arbitrary to fix the meaning as years.”

If we count the “seven times” as seven seasons—figuring four

seasons in a year—this would work out to less than two years as the

length of Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity. That would be based on the

way we figure seasons today.

However, the Babylonians (as well as the Hebrews) figured

only two seasons in a year: summer and winter (cf. Gen. 8:22; Psa.

74:17; Zech. 14:8). By this counting, seven seasons would fit within

a period of four years. This brings us to the words of Nebuchadnezzar

found on an ancient inscription:

“For four years the residence of my kingdom did not delight my

heart. In no one of my possessions did I erect any important

building by my might. I did not put up buildings in Babylon for

myself and the honor of my name. In the worship of Merodach

my god I did not sing his praise, nor did I provide his altar with

sacrifices, nor clean the canals.”

While Nebuchadnezzar did not use the word “insanity” in this

quotation—perhaps because of his own personal ego—clearly, for

some reason, his activities were interrupted during four years. His

insanity would provide a reason.

In a comment on the above quotation, Halley’s Bible Handbook

(1924, p. 315) says the “seven times” should here be understood as

“seasons.” Because the Babylonians only counted summer and

winter, seven seasons or three-and-a-half years, would fall within

the four year timeframe indicated. Certainly—if correct—this

would rule out seven “times” meaning seven years.

The word ‘iddan was also used for a point in time. In Babylon,

for example, at whatever “time” [‘iddan] certain music was

played, all were to fall down and worship the Golden Image that

Nebuchadnezzar set up (Daniel 3:5,15). This, a mere point in time,

certainly did not mean a year.

Still another variation: The word translated “times” in Daniel is

from a root corresponding to H5708 in Strong’s Concordance. It

appears one place: Isaiah 64:6. Here—though euphemistically

translated “filthy rags” (KJV, NKJV, NIV)—other translations, including

The New World Translation, correctly say: “...all our

acts of righteousness are like a garment for periods of menstruation.”

Thus, this word is closely linked with a month.

After a discussion of Nebuchadnezzar’s illness from a medical

point of view, the Pulpit Commentary says, “The ‘seven times’

certainly did not mean seven years for recovery from that form

of insanity; that is, acute mania....Seven months is a far more

likely period.” In agreement, The International Standard Bible

Encyclopedia (article: “Nebuchadnezzar”), says it is likely that

the “seven times” of Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity were seven

months.

The point is: If the “seven times” were ANYTHING other

than seven full YEARS, the 1914 teaching will not work.

He wouldn't come to that date at all. If Jesus had returned in 1914, visibly OR invisibly, the history of the world since then would have been completely different, and World War II would never have happened. Nor would JWs have had to switch from 1914 to 1925, then to 1975, etc.

Well the man and women over in Indonesia still tell the tale of the night that the Stars fell from the sky. An unusually brilliant meteor shower and The story goes that as the falling stars came down cursing and swearing and obscene things could be heard all through the night. And then there came knocking upon the doors in the early morning and whoever opened the door. Became infected with the great plague of the 1914 to 1918 era. It's not only Jehovah's witnesses that talk about 1914 as a very significant year in Bible history most leading Bible theologians agree that 1914 was the beginning of the end

...by first becoming biased.

Revelation 6-- he receives his crown, peace will be taken from the earth( ww1)--many events occur after these event in revelation. Rev 6 = war in heaven, satan cast to earth, after ww1 millions died all over the earth( the riders rode) from starvation, disease from the filth of the slaughters, etc. 1914 and on.

If they believe Jesus, over dogma teachings they would become JW,S.

Everyone can find out that 1914 "the last Days" began.

The year 1914 is marked by Bible prophecy. The correctness of the date is shown by the fact that world conditions foretold to mark this time period have come to pass since 1914 exactly as foretold. The facts set out above illustrate this.

For details go to JW.org. :Dates and calculating the "seven times".

That's when the Federal Reserve was set up

An unbiased person wouldn't pick up a Bible and become a Christian of any kind. Not without a preacher.