📘 Our Incoming World Government—God’s Kingdom (1977) – The First Post-1975 Book from Jehovah’s Witnesses
🔹 Title:
Our Incoming World Government—God’s Kingdom
🔹 Author:
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
🔹 Publication Year:
1977
🔹 Purpose of the Book:
Released just two years after the failed prophetic expectations surrounding 1975, this book was carefully crafted to redirect focus toward Jehovah’s Kingdom as the only true solution for humanity’s problems. Rather than acknowledge the widespread disappointment among Jehovah’s Witnesses at the time, the book doubled down on the urgency of the times, emphasizing global instability and the need for obedience to God’s incoming government. It attempted to reassure readers that the organization was still on the right course, while shifting attention away from specific time-based prophecies.
🆓 Copyright Disclaimer
Our Incoming World Government—God’s Kingdom (1977) is not in the public domain and remains under copyright protection by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. This analysis is provided under fair use for the purposes of historical review, commentary, and educational reflection.
https://archive.org/details/watchtowerbooks/1977_Our_Incoming_World_Government_-_God%27s_Kingdom
This link is for research and educational purposes. Hosted externally on archive.org.
❗ Doctrinal Issues & Revisions
| 🔍 Topic | 📖 What the Book Taught (1977) | ⚠️ Later Concern or Change |
|---|---|---|
| No Mention of 1975 | Carefully avoids acknowledging the 1975 failed expectations, though it was released soon after. | Critics note the lack of accountability or transparency from leadership. |
| Jehovah’s Kingdom Government | Reinforced the teaching that God’s Kingdom is a real, incoming government that will replace all earthly rule. | Still core doctrine, though tone has since shifted to emphasize loyalty over urgency. |
| World Conditions as Proof | Pointed to worsening global conditions as “proof” we are deep into the last days. | This argument has been used continuously for decades with no fulfillment. |
| Obedience to the Organization | Implied that loyalty to Jehovah’s Kingdom meant loyalty to the organization itself. | This doctrine hardened over time, leading to increased control by the Governing Body. |
| No Specific Prophetic Dates | Avoided setting new dates; focused on general end-times messaging. | Marked a turning point from specific date-setting to more ambiguous language. |
Final Thoughts
Dear brothers and sisters,
Our Incoming World Government—God’s Kingdom came at a time when many were quietly wrestling with disappointment. While the book did not mention 1975 directly, its tone suggested a reset—reaffirming our focus on Jehovah’s Kingdom without addressing the confusion many felt. For some, this brought reassurance; for others, it deepened the feeling that expectations had been quietly shifted without explanation.
As we reflect on these publications with love for truth and a heart loyal to Jehovah, we do so not to cast blame, but to understand. This book reflects a turning point—away from time-specific predictions and toward long-term obedience and trust in Jehovah’s direction. Even now, our desire remains the same: to serve Jehovah with sincerity and to be guided not by the fear of missing prophecy, but by the light of His Word.