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Jehovah's Witnesses Proclaimers of God's Kingdom
Jehovah’s Witnesses are a people widely known. Their preaching and way of worship have penetrated national and racial groups worldwide and have been embraced by people young and old, at every economic and educational level. Their zeal as proclaimers of God’s Kingdom has impressed even their critics. Their love toward one another makes some non-Witnesses wish that more people acted that way.
Yet, many still wonder, ‘Who really are Jehovah’s Witnesses?’ Others have written about them, not always impartially. Probably they were not aware of all the facts. Certainly, no one knows their modern-day history better than they themselves do. The editors of this volume have endeavored to be objective and to present a candid history. To all who are aware of what the Bible foretells for the last days, this history of a people who intensely believe and preach what the Bible says will be especially enlightening.
The Publishers
Yet, many still wonder, ‘Who really are Jehovah’s Witnesses?’ Others have written about them, not always impartially. Probably they were not aware of all the facts. Certainly, no one knows their modern-day history better than they themselves do. The editors of this volume have endeavored to be objective and to present a candid history. To all who are aware of what the Bible foretells for the last days, this history of a people who intensely believe and preach what the Bible says will be especially enlightening.
The Publishers
750 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
893 books697 followersThe Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1884 under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. It is used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to support their worldwide work, which includes publishing Bibles and Bible-based literature.
According to its charter, the corporation’s purposes are “religious, educational, and charitable,” in particular, to “preach and teach the gospel of God’s Kingdom under Christ Jesus.” Membership in the corporation is by invitation only and is not based on how much a person has donated. The corporation members and directors assist the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
According to its charter, the corporation’s purposes are “religious, educational, and charitable,” in particular, to “preach and teach the gospel of God’s Kingdom under Christ Jesus.” Membership in the corporation is by invitation only and is not based on how much a person has donated. The corporation members and directors assist the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 30, 2018
This is what one might call a "weighty tome." It is not a history, as I had anticipated (and was looking for), though it does contain some history of its beginnings (it is, after all, a fairly new organization; not 100 years old yet). It is more an "explanation" of JW. It is a pretty thorough laying out of what they believe, why and how they came to believe it, and how it has spread throughout the world. There is a center-fold with its main tenets. Though I looked in vain for an Organizational Chart (they do not "elevate" one person to "head"). But to me the most fascinating part is the incredibly in-depth and detailed Biblical scholarship they have done, culminating in their New World Bible, an extensive Study Bible which compares favorably and well with the Schofield Study Bible, which I have long admired. Bible "translation," meaning really "interpretation," has always fascinated me! The New World Study Bible and its appendices has been a wealth of elucidation and interest. (And it is free to download, as is a KJV on their website, which are both appreciated; I have downloaded several KJVs over the years and none of them have been all that easy to peruse or search or move around in quickly. This one is. It is quick and easy to compare the KJV to the New World, and then contemplate the different words used in translating familiar or significant (to me) passages.
I do not at this point understand, or agree with, all of their basic principles. But I do admire their faithfulness and their Biblical scholarship, and I appreciate the loving friendship of those few who have in the past few years become my friends and neighbors (thus sparking my interest and search).
I do not at this point understand, or agree with, all of their basic principles. But I do admire their faithfulness and their Biblical scholarship, and I appreciate the loving friendship of those few who have in the past few years become my friends and neighbors (thus sparking my interest and search).
May 31, 2018
Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom is easily in my top five best publications ever from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
It is divided into Seven sections:
“You Are My Witnesses,” Says Jehovah, Gaining Accurate Knowledge of God’s Word and Applying It, An Association of Brothers, Proclaiming the Good News in All the Inhabited Earth, Kingdom Preaching Furthered by Production of Bible Literature, Exposed to Reproaches and Tribulations, and A People Distinctively His Own, Zealous for Fine Works".
I believe that in my opinion, this is the definitive modern history of Jehovah's Witnesses. Even if you are not a Witness, and you are writing a report, or are researching them, here is where you start.
There are some wonderful experiences in this book. Wonderfully illustrated, this would make for some very good source material for family worship.
I read this book through twice. Once in my own personal Bible study, and once with the congregation.
It is divided into Seven sections:
“You Are My Witnesses,” Says Jehovah, Gaining Accurate Knowledge of God’s Word and Applying It, An Association of Brothers, Proclaiming the Good News in All the Inhabited Earth, Kingdom Preaching Furthered by Production of Bible Literature, Exposed to Reproaches and Tribulations, and A People Distinctively His Own, Zealous for Fine Works".
I believe that in my opinion, this is the definitive modern history of Jehovah's Witnesses. Even if you are not a Witness, and you are writing a report, or are researching them, here is where you start.
There are some wonderful experiences in this book. Wonderfully illustrated, this would make for some very good source material for family worship.
I read this book through twice. Once in my own personal Bible study, and once with the congregation.
May 22, 2026
I was told this was a history book when I borrowed it. It is, but it is very fragmented, it is repeating itself in every chapter, talking about the same things and events over and over again. It does not seem to have been written as one book, but rather as separate instalments that have been collected.
Yet it does not really go into depth about anything, except how many hours the witnesses spent talking to people, how many books or pamphlets they delivered, how big the printing facilities are, how many witnesses exists at any given time in one place or how many people attended the meetings and how many got baptized. And it talked a lot about harassment and prohibitions against Jehovah's witnesses, that is part of their history though.
I had hoped for a better explanation of the origin and development of the Jehovah's witnesses, but this book continues to be just as vague and alluding to things but never telling it all, exactly like all the other literature and everything my witness neighbour tells me. It lacks substance, and that takes some doing in a book as thick as this one. I keep wondering what it is that they are not telling, what are they hiding? I cannot put my finger on it, I just have an uneasy feeling that something is being held back.
Also, the fact that the book states: It is Gods kingdom, not any organization created by man, that is humanity's only hope. Then further down on the same page: Jehowah's witnesses is the only true Christian organization today. And from what I read in this book the Jehowah's witnesses organization was clearly created by a man. Even if they believe that god rules their organization, that Jesus is an invisible king in an invisible heaven, the tangible and hard fact is that humans are running the Jehowah's witnesses organization. Yeah, that baffles me. I am sure it can be explained away in some vague way without actually saying anything or by circular reasoning.
I read a norwegian translation, and it had some bad grammar now and again.
Yet it does not really go into depth about anything, except how many hours the witnesses spent talking to people, how many books or pamphlets they delivered, how big the printing facilities are, how many witnesses exists at any given time in one place or how many people attended the meetings and how many got baptized. And it talked a lot about harassment and prohibitions against Jehovah's witnesses, that is part of their history though.
I had hoped for a better explanation of the origin and development of the Jehovah's witnesses, but this book continues to be just as vague and alluding to things but never telling it all, exactly like all the other literature and everything my witness neighbour tells me. It lacks substance, and that takes some doing in a book as thick as this one. I keep wondering what it is that they are not telling, what are they hiding? I cannot put my finger on it, I just have an uneasy feeling that something is being held back.
Also, the fact that the book states: It is Gods kingdom, not any organization created by man, that is humanity's only hope. Then further down on the same page: Jehowah's witnesses is the only true Christian organization today. And from what I read in this book the Jehowah's witnesses organization was clearly created by a man. Even if they believe that god rules their organization, that Jesus is an invisible king in an invisible heaven, the tangible and hard fact is that humans are running the Jehowah's witnesses organization. Yeah, that baffles me. I am sure it can be explained away in some vague way without actually saying anything or by circular reasoning.
I read a norwegian translation, and it had some bad grammar now and again.
December 31, 2020
I read it all the way through for a second time as a teenager.
March 7, 2021
An excellent history of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the work they do and have done.
May 2, 2023
Singular valuable takeaway: religious freedom is worth fighting for. So thanks, I guess.
May 19, 2023
A História das Testemunhas de Jeová.
April 24, 2024
Run. Run far and fast. This "religion" ru1ns lives. The world is not an awful place. I hope you can one day be truly free.
June 6, 2020
I am glad I still own this. So far, I have only read this once. It contains color photos and black and white photos.
I own the first printing from 1993.
I own the first printing from 1993.
April 5, 2013
Excellent history book.
April 14, 2013
Truth is good.
May 15, 2016
An history of Jehovahs Witnesses
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews