In 1918 God Destroys the Churches Wholesale
Watch Tower Book Schedules God to Destroy 'the Churches Wholesale'; the Churches Outlast the Book
The seventh volume of Studies in the Scriptures, issued after Russell's death, set the fall of Christendom for 1918, starting in the spring. The churches outlasted the book.
What was said
“Also, in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church members by millions, it shall be that any that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russell to learn the meaning of the downfall of 'Christianity.'”
— International Bible Students Association / Watch Tower Society (The Finished Mystery, Studies in the Scriptures vol. 7, 1917) · said 1917 · due 1918, beginning in the spring
1918 ended with Christendom's churches standing and their members, by the millions, still in the pews.
The fine print
Page 485 of the 1917 edition. Page 62 set the start: 'the Spring of 1918 will bring upon Christendom a spasm of anguish greater even than that experienced in the Fall of 1914.' The same book pushed the end of the republics to 1920.
Sources
As of Oct 9, 2026
since it didn't happen
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