Studies in the Scriptures is a seven-volume series authored by Charles Taze Russell, foundational to the Bible Student movement, which later evolved into Jehovah’s Witnesses. Originally titled Millennial Dawn, the series was later renamed and became central to early Watch Tower teachings
📚 Overview of the Volumes
- The Divine Plan of the Ages (1886)
Introduces Russell’s vision of a progressive divine plan, emphasizing themes like redemption, the role of evil, and the promise of a future golden age. - The Time is at Hand (1889)
Examines biblical chronology and prophecies, highlighting the urgency of a new era and the imminent fulfillment of end-time events. - Thy Kingdom Come (1891)
Focuses on the establishment of God’s Kingdom, contrasting it with human political systems, and includes discussions on the Great Pyramid of Giza. - The Day of Vengeance (1897)
Analyzes scriptures concerning divine judgment and the spiritual conflict leading to the dissolution of the current order. - The At-One-Ment Between God and Man (1899)
Explores humanity’s relationship with God, emphasizing righteousness and personal commitment as essential for divine favor. - The New Creation (1904)
Discusses the transformation promised in biblical prophecies, envisioning a future marked by renewal, peace, and everlasting life. - The Finished Mystery (1917)
Published posthumously, this volume was compiled by Russell’s associates and delves into interpretations of Ezekiel and Revelation.
🔍 Key Themes and Doctrines
- Progressive Revelation: The belief that God’s plan unfolds gradually through different ages.
- Divine Justice and Mercy: Emphasizes both God’s righteous judgment and His boundless love.
- Role of Prophecy: Detailed analysis of biblical prophecies as a guide to understanding past and future events.
- Reformation of Belief: A call to return to what Russell viewed as the pure message of the Bible, free from human traditions.
🕰️ Historical Impact
At the time of publication, Studies in the Scriptures captivated Bible students and laid the groundwork for a new movement. Its influence is evident in the development of religious thought that would later be institutionalized by Jehovah’s Witnesses. The series was discontinued by the Watch Tower Society in 1927, but independent Bible Student groups continue to publish and study these volumes.
📜 Public Domain Use
All seven volumes of Studies in the Scriptures (1886–1917) are in the public domain.
This means:
- The copyright has expired under U.S. and international law.
- These works were published more than 100 years ago (between 1886 and 1917).
- No individual, religious organization, or publishing company holds exclusive rights over them.
⚠️ Major Doctrinal Issues to Be Aware Of
Here are just a few examples where current JW doctrine directly contradicts what Russell taught—yet both were presented as “God’s truth at the time.”
| Doctrine | What Russell Taught (1886–1917) | What Jehovah’s Witnesses Teach Today |
|---|---|---|
| Second Coming of Christ | Occurred invisibly in 1874; Christ has been present since then | Occurred invisibly in 1914; Christ has ruled from heaven since |
| Start of “Last Days” | Began in 1799, ending with Armageddon expected shortly after 1914 | Began in 1914, still ongoing |
| End of the World | 1914 was expected to mark the full end of the system of things | 1914 marks beginning of “last days”; end is yet future |
| Faithful and Discreet Slave | Charles Taze Russell was the “faithful and wise servant” of Matthew 24:45 | The collective Governing Body is now said to be the “faithful slave” since 1919 |
| Ransom and Salvation | Christ’s ransom will give all mankind a second chance during the Millennium | Only those who respond now (or in the New World) benefit; no universal second chance |
| Resurrection | All people (even the wicked) would be resurrected to learn righteousness | Only some will be resurrected; many will stay dead forever |
| The Great Pyramid | Called “God’s Stone Witness” and a confirmation of Bible chronology | Now labeled as pagan and “Satanic”; completely rejected |
| Higher Education | Accepted and respected; early Bible Students included doctors, teachers, engineers | Discouraged; considered a threat to spirituality and loyalty |
| Structure of the Organization | No Governing Body; congregations were autonomous and independent | Highly centralized under the Governing Body in Warwick, NY |
| Use of “Jehovah” | Used occasionally; not emphasized | Use of “Jehovah” is central; claimed as a requirement for salvation |
| Blood Transfusions | Not condemned; no teaching against medical blood use | Considered a disfellowshipping offense since 1945 |
| Birthday Celebrations | Permitted; no objection noted in early teachings | Now viewed as pagan and condemned |
| War and Military Service | Some early Bible Students served in WWI or accepted alternative service | Strictly forbidden; results in disfellowshipping if not repented of |
| Trinity Doctrine | Rejected; strongly opposed as unscriptural | Still rejected; this teaching has remained consistent |
Final Thoughts
Dear brother or sister,
If you’ve found yourself on this page, maybe something inside you has started to stir. Maybe you’ve been carrying questions for a while. Maybe it’s just a quiet sense that something in the organization isn’t sitting right anymore—but you can’t say it out loud. I’ve been there too.
I was raised to love Jehovah with all my heart. I believed in the promise of the Paradise, in loyalty to the organization, and that we had the “truth.” I still believe in the importance of love, honesty, and a relationship with our Creator. But I’ve also come to a place of honesty—with myself—about the things that don’t add up.
You might already be aware of some of the things that changed—like how Charles Taze Russell, our founder, taught that Christ returned invisibly in 1874, not 1914. Or that he believed all mankind would be resurrected during the Millennium, even the “unrighteous.” Or that he called the Great Pyramid “God’s Stone Witness,” but now it’s labeled as Satanic. You might not have known that blood transfusions weren’t always banned. That birthdays and military service weren’t always condemned. That Russell himself was considered the “faithful and wise servant” before that doctrine quietly changed.
These aren’t little footnotes. These were once presented as “Jehovah’s truth.” And now they’re not. That should matter.
What’s hard isn’t just that the doctrines changed. It’s how we were told to never question the changes. It’s how questioning feels like disloyalty, even when it’s done out of a sincere heart. But if “truth” requires that we shut off our critical thinking, isolate ourselves from facts, and ignore our conscience—then is it really truth?
I’m not writing this letter to attack your faith. I’m writing because if you’re still reading, then maybe you’ve felt it too. That quiet discomfort. That longing for clarity. That ache for something real.
You don’t have to have all the answers right now. I don’t. But I know this: Jehovah is not afraid of our questions. Jesus never silenced those who wanted to understand. If the organization is really “the truth,” it should be able to withstand honest examination. And if it’s not… don’t you want to know?
Wherever you are on this journey, you’re not alone.