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Predictions and dates · Claim record

In October 1917 The Watch Tower said the parallel with the Jewish harvest 'would establish definitely that the harvest would close... in the spring of A.D. 1918', so that 'we have only a few months in which to labor'; the year-end report added that 'in all probability the Spring of 1918 will mark the beginning of the closing up of all activities of the kingdom class on this side the veil'.

Claim ID claim-predictions-1917-watch-tower-1918-few-monthsConcerns October 1917Strong implication
Strong implication · October 1917 Verified

In October 1917 The Watch Tower said the parallel with the Jewish harvest 'would establish definitely that the harvest would close... in the spring of A.D. 1918', so that 'we have only a few months in which to labor'; the year-end report added that 'in all probability the Spring of 1918 will mark the beginning of the closing up of all activities of the kingdom class on this side the veil'. The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, October 1917The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, 15 December 1917

The organisation’s position or later explanation: Not specifically addressed; Proclaimers treats 1918 within the general 'expectations' discussion.

Show the evidence (2 sources)
Primary JW publication Verified

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, “(article on the parallel between the Jewish and Gospel harvests)”

October 1917 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

“The parallel, therefore, would establish definitely that the harvest would close forty years thereafter; to wit, in the spring of A.D. 1918. If this be true, and the evidence is very conclusive that it is true, then we have only a few months in which to labor before the great night settles down when no man can work.”

Builds on 1878 as the start of the harvest and the Great Pyramid measurements.

Scan of original

Provenance and verification note

Confidence note. Wording confirmed; nearest legible page header is 'October 1, 1917'. Commonly cited as 15 October 1917 (Reprints 6149); exact issue supported, not verified.

Scan provenance. Internet Archive upload by Veillez.org of the 1917 volume. Public domain.

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-wt-1917-1000-harvest-closes-1918

Primary JW publication Verified

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, “Annual report of the Society's activities for 1917”

15 December 1917 · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

“We count this as another one of the strong proofs that the harvest is nearing the end, and that in all probability the Spring of 1918 will mark the beginning of the closing up of all activities of the kingdom class on this side the veil.”

Said of the publication of Volume Seven (The Finished Mystery) in the year-end report.

Scan of original

Provenance and verification note

Confidence note. Wording confirmed in the 1917 bound-volume OCR; the DECEMBER 15, 1917 issue header precedes the passage and Reprints marker 6183 follows it (the passage is on R6182).

Scan provenance. Internet Archive upload by Veillez.org of the 1917 volume. Public domain.

Corroborated by. src-wt-1917-1000-harvest-closes-1918

Notes. The same volume prints a reader letter: 'it is thought that 1918 may be the year that the church will be taken from the world' (member expectation).

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-wt-1917-1215-annual-report-1918

Claim page

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