Watchtower And Bible Students: What's The Connection?

The Bible Student movement, also known as the International Bible Students Association, was founded by Charles Taze Russell in 1881 as Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society. The movement is a Millennialist Restorationist Christian movement. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is a non-profit organisation that is the main legal entity used by Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide to direct, administer and disseminate doctrines. It is the parent organisation of a number of Watch Tower subsidiaries, including the Watchtower Society of New York and the International Bible Students Association.

The Bible Student Movement

In 1910, Russell introduced the name International Bible Students Association (IBSA) as a means of identifying his worldwide community of Bible study groups. The IBSA was a subsidiary of the Watch Tower Society, and all work done through the IBSA was considered the work of the Watch Tower Society. Russell explained that the IBSA would be directed and managed by the People's Pulpit Association, which represented the Watch Tower Society. Bible Student classes using Watch Tower Society publications could identify with the IBSA and were authorised to use the name in connection with their meetings and advertising.

In 1914, the IBSA was incorporated in Britain to administer its affairs in that country. The same year, the Bible Students began public showings of The Photo-Drama of Creation, which presented Russell's views of God's plan from the creation of the earth to the establishment of God's kingdom on earth. This was a significant advancement in film production, as it was the first major presentation to synchronise motion pictures with audio using phonograph records.

A number of schisms developed within the congregations of Bible Students associated with the Watch Tower Society between 1909 and 1932. The most significant split began in 1917, following the election of Joseph Franklin Rutherford as president of the Watch Tower Society two months after Russell's death. Rutherford introduced controversial changes, including replacing four of the Society's board of directors and publishing The Finished Mystery. In 1931, a group of Bible Students dissatisfied with these changes founded the Dawn Bible Students Association to resume publication of Studies in the Scriptures, which the Watch Tower Society had ceased printing in 1927.

The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

The Watch Tower Society is a major publisher of religious literature, including books, tracts, magazines and Bibles. By 1979, the society had 39 printing branches worldwide, and in 1990, it was reported that they printed 696 million copies of their magazines, "The Watchtower" and "Awake!", as well as another 35,811,000 pieces of literature, which are offered door-to-door by Jehovah's Witnesses. The society also operates schools for Bible instruction, such as the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, which has provided intensive training to Jehovah's Witnesses since 1943.

The Watch Tower Society has undergone several name changes throughout its history. It was originally formed as Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in 1881 by Charles Taze Russell, also known as Pastor Russell, who was the secretary-treasurer, with William Henry Conley serving as president. In 1896, the society was renamed the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and in 1955, it was renamed again to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.

The International Bible Students Association

Russell founded the Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in 1881, which later became known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania in 1896. It is headquartered in Warwick, New York, and is the parent organisation of a number of Watch Tower subsidiaries, including the Watchtower Society of New York and the International Bible Students Association. The Watch Tower Society has published and distributed religious literature worldwide, including Bibles, books, tracts, and magazines such as "The Watchtower" and "Awake!".

The Bible Student movement, of which Russell was a key influence, is a Millennialist Restorationist Christian movement that emerged in the United States. Members of this movement have referred to themselves as Bible Students, International Bible Students, Associated Bible Students, or Independent Bible Students. A significant schism occurred within the movement following the election of Joseph Franklin Rutherford as president of the Watch Tower Society in 1917, leading to divisions among the congregations.

The Dawn Bible Students Association

Over the years, there has been some controversy surrounding the Dawn Bible Students Association. In 1966, they published a booklet, "Oh, the Blessedness", which rejected many of Russell's views on Bible prophecy and end times. This caused a polarisation among Bible Students, with some continuing to accept Russell's views and forming an independent movement. In 1974, a group of Bible Students formally ceased their spiritual fellowship with the Dawn Bible Students Association due to their more liberal points of view.

In terms of the relationship between the International Bible Students and the Watchtower, there is some complexity. The Bible Student movement emerged from the teachings of Charles Taze Russell and his founding of the Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in 1881. Members of the movement referred to themselves as International Bible Students, among other names. However, between 1909 and 1932, several schisms developed within the congregations of Bible Students associated with the Watch Tower Society, with the most significant split occurring in 1917 after Joseph Franklin Rutherford became president.

While there are clear historical connections between the International Bible Students and the Watchtower, it is important to note that the specific relationship between the two groups has evolved over time and may have continued to change in ways that are not captured in readily available sources.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Bible Student movement, also known as the International Bible Students Association, was founded by Charles Taze Russell in 1881. Members of this Millennialist Restorationist Christian movement refer to themselves as Bible Students, International Bible Students, Associated Bible Students, or Independent Bible Students. The Watch Tower Society, also founded by Russell, is associated with the Bible Student movement.

Now, the Great Pyramid of Giza, located on the west bank of the Nile River in northern Egypt, is the largest of the three pyramids of Giza. It was built by Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops), the second king of Egypt's 4th dynasty, and completed in the early 25th century BCE. The pyramid, which originally stood at about 482 feet (147 meters), is made up of approximately 2.3 million large blocks of stone, weighing a total of 5.75 million tons. The sides of the pyramid rise at an angle of 51.87 degrees and are oriented towards the four cardinal points of the compass. The core is made of yellowish limestone blocks, while the inner passages and the interior burial chamber are made of finer light-coloured limestone and huge blocks of granite, respectively. The Great Pyramid is believed to have served as the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu and still contains his granite sarcophagus.

The construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza is considered a masterpiece of technical skill and engineering ability. The internal walls and the remaining outer-casing stones showcase finer joints than any other masonry constructed in ancient Egypt. The entrance to the pyramid is on the north side, about 59 feet (18 meters) above ground level. Inside, there are three known chambers. The lowest chamber, cut into the bedrock, remains unfinished. The other two chambers, known as the Queen's Chamber and the King's Chamber, are located above ground within the pyramid structure and contain a granite sarcophagus. From the King's Chamber, two narrow shafts run obliquely through the masonry to the exterior, though their purpose remains uncertain.

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