The Origin of the Name Jehovah’s Witnesses

In the previous post “Did the Apostles Proclaim the Name Jehovah?” a careful review of the scriptures clearly demonstrated a shift in the degree of prominence given to the divine name from the Old Testament to the New. The apostles, instead of bearing witness to the Father and emphasizing his name, in obedience to God and to the commission given to them by their Lord and Master bore witness to Jesus as God’s means of salvation. In light of this the question was raised as to why the Watchtower organization places such importance on the divine name and why the need to call themselves Jehovah’s Witnesses?

This very prominent milestone in their history was reached in 1931. On July 24th-30th of that year a general convention was held at the State Fair Grounds at Columbus, Ohio. Sunday afternoon, July 26, at 4 p.m., there was presented and read before the convention a lengthy resolution. A portion of it was as follows:

NOW, THEREFORE, in order that our true position may be made known, and believing that this is in harmony with the will of God, as expressed in his Word, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows, to wit:

THAT we have great love for Brother Charles T. Russell, for his work’s sake, and that we gladly acknowledge that the Lord used him and greatly blessed his work, yet we cannot consistently with the Word of God consent to be called by the name “Russellites”; that the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and the International Bible Students Association and the Peoples Pulpit Association are merely names of corporations which as a company of Christian people we hold, control and use to carry on our work in obedience to God’s commandments, yet none of these names properly attach to or apply to us as a body of Christians who follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Master, Christ Jesus; that we are students of the Bible, but, as a body of Christians forming an association, we decline to assume or be called by the name “Bible Students” or similar names as a means of identification of our proper position before the Lord; we refuse to bear or to be called by the name of any man;

THAT, having been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer, justified and begotten by Jehovah God and called to his kingdom, we unhesitatingly declare our entire allegiance and devotion to Jehovah God and his kingdom; that we are servants of Jehovah God commissioned to do a work in his name, and, in obedience to his commandment, to deliver the testimony of Jesus Christ, and to make known to the people that Jehovah is the true and Almighty God; therefore we joyfully embrace and take the name which the mouth of the Lord God has named, and we desire to be known as and called by the name, to wit, Jehovah’s witnesses. (The Watchtower September 15, 1931 pg. 279)

Thereafter, the October 1^st issue of the Watchtower contained an article setting out the scriptural reasoning behind the presenting and adopting of that new name. What follows is a review of portions of that article.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence

October 1, 1931

A NEW NAME

“So shall nations see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory; and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah will name.‘,-Isa. 62: 2, Roth.

JEHOVAH has emphasized the fact that he will “take out . . . a people for his name” and that, when taken out, these must “show forth [his] praises”, and not show forth the praises of some creature or organization formed by men. Manifestly the purpose of Jehovah is to set the truth in the earth while his remnant or faithful servant is still on the earth, and that the truth must be told by his anointed remnant to the glory and praise of his great name. It does not seem reasonable that Jehovah would permit the last members of his church to die or be translated from earth to heaven while evil men speak in the name of God and declare error to the dishonor of his name.

It seems far more reasonable that God would have some one class distinctly marked as his witnesses, and that at the very end of Satan’s organization. God will destroy that wicked one and those who speak hypocritically in the name of God, in order that the people of good will may know what is the truth and where they may take their stand on the right side.

2 In the early days of the church certain bodies of ecclesias desired to call themselves by the name of some favored teacher or apostle of Christ. Paul emphasizes the great error in taking such a course and warns against it. (1 Cor. 3:4,5) When the apostles passed from the stage of earthly action men of the church quickly fell into the same error in calling themselves by the name of men or by names manufactured for the purpose or occasion. Many nations have taken the name of Christ, but no one is a Christian unless he is anointed by Jehovah God ; and therefore the nations have erroneously taken the name “Christian”. There are many divisions and names in such nations. There are Roman and Greek Catholic, Calvinist and Lutheran, Baptist and Methodist, Campbellite and Millerite, and numerous others, all calling themselves Christian and all claiming to teach the truth, and none of them giving honor to the name of Jehovah God. In recent years there came into action a faithful man of God who proclaimed the truth as then revealed by the Lord, and those who were with him in the work were called “Russellites “, “Millennial Dawnists,” “International Bible Students,” and other like names. Since the death of Charles T. Russell there have arisen numerous companies formed out of those who once walked with him, each of these companies claiming to teach the truth and each calling themselves by some name, such as “Followers of Pastor Russell”, “those who stand by the truth as expounded by Pastor Russell,” “Associated Bible Students,” and some by the names of their local leaders. All of this tends to confusion and hinders those of good will who are not better informed from obtaining a knowledge of the truth.

Right away it can be seen that what Rutherford views as a problem is that there are and have been many groups claiming to be Christian. So the aim of this article is to put forth his suggestion of how this situation can best be remedied so that true Christians can be identified.  But previous to this, Charles Taze Russell, opposed the adoption of any distinguishing name, viewing this as a form of sectarianism.

The following is taken from Zion’s Watchtower April 1882 pgs 7-8:

“Ques. Please let me know by what name you people call yourselves? What denomination?

Ans. We are strictly unsectarian, and consequently recognize no sectarian name, believing with Paul, (read 1 Cor 3:1-4) that where one saith I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, or I am a Baptist, or I a Methodist, etc., it is an evidence of carnality, and consequently in opposition to the Spirit of Christ. Did Paul or Apollos die for us? If so, let us call ourselves theirs. Were we baptized into the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, or other denominational churches? If so, we are members of it, and should be properly recognized by those names. But if we were baptized into the one body or church of which Jesus is the one and only Head, then we are members in particular of his body, and the only name appropriate would be his; Scripturally called the “Church of Christ,” “Christians,” “Church of the first born,” and such like general names. Again we would remark that ours is the only Scriptural basis of Christian union, viz: We have no creed (fence) to bind us together or to keep others out of our company. The Bible is our only standard, and its teachings our only creed, and recognizing the progressive character of the unfolding of Scriptural truths, we are ready and prepared to add to or modify our creed (faith-belief) as we get increase of light from our standard.

We are in fellowship with all Christians in whom we can recognize the Spirit of Christ, and especially with those who recognize the Bible as the only standard. We do not require, therefore, that all shall see, just as we do in order to be called Christians; realizing that growth in both grace and knowledge is a gradual process. Nor do we see reason to expect that any but the watchmen of Zion will see “eye to eye” (Isa. 52:8) until that which is perfect is come, when “that which is in part shall be done away.” (1 Cor. 13:10)

If all Christians were to thus free themselves of prescribed creeds, and study the Word of God without denominational bias, truth and knowledge and real Christian fellowship and unity, would result. The Spirit of the Head would pervade the unfettered members of the body, and sectarian price would vanish. Thus we believe, thus we practice, and thus we teach. It becomes our duty to denounce sectarianism and the God-dishonoring creeds of men which while contradicting each other, unite in misrepresenting God’s Word and character. Because these are bonds which hinder God’s children from rendering him the homage due unto his name, hinder their knowing him, hinder their worshipping in spirit and truth, and also hinder them from enjoying that joy and peace which their Father designed they should have. We “cry aloud and spare not.”

Because we believe sectarianism to be a snare of the devil. And in opposition both to God and his saints. Therefore we labor to set them free, and bring them into the liberty of Christ. That this has been so accounted before the present day by holy men of God, we quote you from the words of John Bunyan, whose name is a household word, and one of whose books has been more read than any other ever written except the Bible-“Pilgrim’s Progress.” He wrote:-

“Since you would know by what name I would be distinguished from others, I tell you I would be, and hope I am, a Christian; and choose, if God should count me worthy, to be called a Christian, a believer, or other such name which is approved by the Holy Ghost. And as for those factious (or sect” titles of Anabaptist, Presbyterian, Independent, or the like. I conclude that they came neither from Antioch nor from Jerusalem, but from Hell and Babylon, for they tend to divisions: you may know them by their fruits.” – John Bunyan. (Zion’s Watchtower April 1882 pgs 7-8)

I personally don’t see a problem with John Bunyan’s statement. But clearly, Rutherford has a problem with just being called a Christian. Why? In Acts chapter 20 Paul makes a prophetic statement that I believe gives the answer:

“I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts 20:29, 30)

In order for one to draw away the disciples after themselves one would have to have a distinctive name so as to set them apart from the rest. This is the very thing C.T. Russell wanted to avoid by stating clearly in the April 1882 Watchtower:

“We are in fellowship with all Christians in whom we can recognize the Spirit of Christ, and especially with those who recognize the Bible as the only standard. We do not require, therefore, that all shall see, just as we do in order to be called Christians”.

I don’t know whether those who called themselves Bible Students, Associated Bible Students, Russellites, or Stand Fasters,  abided by this or not. But it is clear that Rutherford wanted to distinguish the followers of his teachings from followers of Russell or anyone else he considered part of Christendom. But to call them Rutherfordites would obviously be out of harmony with Paul’s counsel in 1 Corinthians 3:4,5 that he has ironically cited to support his argument. The article continues:

3 If there is to be a clear-cut, clean and positive witness of the truth given in the earth to the name and glory of Jehovah God it seems reasonable that Jehovah would make it plain who is telling the truth. Is it not also reasonable that those who give testimony to the truth must honor and vindicate the name of Jehovah God and not the name of some creature or organization formed by men?

 Twice he uses the expression “it seems reasonable” as if human opinion should be the basis for coming to a conclusion of what God’s actions may or should be. The man just cannot stop injecting his opinion. It really amounts to painting a picture of what God must do from his own imagination and then building upon that as if God must have indeed done it just as he has imagined it. If it makes sense to him, then it must be true. Jesus prophesied that the very situation of true and false Christians would develop.

He presented another illustration to them, saying: “The Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to a man who sowed fine seed in his field. ²⁵ While men were sleeping, his enemy came and oversowed weeds in among the wheat and left. ²⁶ When the stalk sprouted and produced fruit, then the weeds also appeared. ²⁷ So the slaves of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow fine seed in your field? How, then, does it have weeds?’ ²⁸ He said to them, ‘An enemy, a man, did this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go out and collect them?’ ²⁹ He said, ‘No, for fear that while collecting the weeds, you uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest season, I will tell the reapers: First collect the weeds and bind them in bundles to burn them up; then gather the wheat into my storehouse.’” (Matthew 13:24-30)

But what did Jesus say would be done about it?

Therefore, just as the weeds are collected and burned with fire, so it will be in the conclusion of the system of things. The Son of man will send his angels, and they will collect out from his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and people who practice lawlessness, and they will pitch them into the fiery furnace. There is where their weeping and the gnashing of their teeth will be. At that time the righteous ones will shine as brightly as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Let the one who has ears listen. (Matthew 13:40-43)

Nowhere does Jesus ever say it would be important for his disciples to be identified by calling themselves by the name of his Father. If he did, there would no doubt be many religions called by some form of that name. But they could just as easily be weeds under that name as well. Rather than attempting to gather all the Christian “wheat” together in one place by creating some man made organization, genuine Christians would be known and separated only by Jesus and his angels. In fact, according to the illustration, any attempt to gather the wheat together would be in disobedience to the master of the harvest. Hence what is important is that each individual Christian work to manifest Christ-like qualities both inwardly and outwardly so as to stand approved by the master at his arrival. (Isa. 11:2-4)

“By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35)

“You are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid when located on a mountain. People light a lamp and set it, not under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it shines on all those in the house. Likewise, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens. (Matthew 5:14-16)

The article continues:

4 Up to the present time the clergy and teachers of the various denominational branches of so-called “organized Christianity’, have caused much confusion and turned many persons away from God and his Word by their discordant doctrines. Many people now, however, are beginning to see that “organized Christianity” is hypocritical, and yet there are many others who are still in confusion. Those who are actually doing the work of giving the witness to the name and honor of Jehovah God are known by many people of the world as “Russellites”, “International Bible Students Association,” or “Watch Tower people”. There are a number of other companies who are called by like names, and who are also known as “Associated Bible Students”, and who are openly opposing the witness work that is being done against Satan’s organization for the vindication of Jehovah’s great name. Such opposers claim to be ‘seated in the temple of God’ and are exalting themselves and their leaders and at the same time making open warfare against a company that is publishing the message of truth, even as the apostle foretold it would be done. (2 Thess. 2:1-5) These opposers advise the people to refuse to have anything to do with the literature published and distributed by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and the International Bible Students Association, and thereby cause confusion. Such opposers not only fail to tell the people of the day of the vengeance of our God against Satan’s organization, and fail to tell of God’s kingdom as a means for destroying the wicked organization, but, on the contrary, make open war against those who are thus proclaiming the truth.

All this brings dishonor and reproach upon the name of Jehovah God. If those opposers are right, then we are wrong; and if we are right, then they are wrong; and does it not seem reasonable that God would make it clear as to which one of these companies constitutes his witnesses and who are delivering the truth, and that he would do so before he destroys “Christendom” and Satan’s entire organization?

Again, rather than presenting scriptural statements whereby God himself declares what he plans to do, the foundation for the argument is laid on human reasoning, what he feels would be reasonable for God to do. Bold claims of being the ones proclaiming the truth are not sufficient proof that such is the case. Any group can claim to be the only ones teaching the truth while at the same time denouncing all others as teaching falsehoods. It is also possible that they all can be wrong in one way or another. (Ps. 14:2,3)

Rather than boastful claims it should be God’s word that determines who in reality is faithfully adhering to truth. (1 John 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:13-17)

5 There were false and true witnesses in Israel ; and what was then written by the prophets of God concerning Israel was written for the special benefit of the faithful servant class on earth at the end of the world. Of this we are absolutely certain. (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11) Since the coming of the Lord to the temple of God those of the temple class have had a clearer vision of Jehovah’s purposes than ever before, and no one outside of the temple has had such a vision. Those who oppose the witness work that has been done and is being done do not even believe that Christ Jesus came to the temple of God in 1918, and therefore manifestly they have no vision of what is his revelation to the temple class. They do not have an understanding of present truth. On the other hand, those who are joyfully engaged in the service work of the Lord today have spread before them the bountiful table of the Lord and are feeding therefrom. They are drinking deep at the well of truth; they are rejoicing, while others are turning pale. Concerning this condition which we now see before us Jehovah caused his prophet to write : “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry ; behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.“-Isa. 65:13,14.

While it is true that important lessons can be learned from observing how God dealt with humans in the past, it is wrong go beyond the things written by making a scriptural account into a type-antitype parallel unless the Bible specifically says there is a greater fulfillment. Where does the Bible say that the Lord came to the temple of God in 1918? We also see in this paragraph that a major part of the issue centers around Rutherford’s view that the house to house preaching work is an absolute Christian requirement.

6 To be sure, we have no fight with anyone ; and the only reason we could have for giving consideration to or even making mention of those who are opposing present truth is that our position may be well defined, and such seems clearly to be the will of God. We know that the physical facts which God’s anointed remnant are today experiencing exactly fit the words of the prophet set forth by Isaiah above. We know that as servants of God we are being abundantly supplied by the Lord, while the opposers are not. Then the Lord indicates that he will dispose of the false professors or “evil servant” class, and all those who have made confusion, when he says: “And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen; for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name. ,’ -Isa. 65:15.

The aim of this article is to clearly identify who really are the true Christians. A major part of that is that they must be teaching in line with truth. Is the teaching that Jesus foretold the future coming of an “evil slave class” in harmony with truth?

Since this teaching was later corrected, it obviously was not true in Rutherford’s day.

“Jesus warned about an evil slave who concludes in his heart that the master is delaying and who starts to beat his fellow slaves. When the master arrives, said Jesus, he will punish that evil slave “with the greatest severity.”—Read Matthew 24:48-51.

  Was Jesus foretelling that there would be an evil slave class in the last days? No. Granted, some individuals have manifested a spirit similar to that of the evil slave described by Jesus. We would call them apostates, whether they were of the anointed or of the “great crowd.” (Rev. 7:9) But such ones do not make up an evil slave class. Jesus did not say that he would appoint an evil slave. His words here are actually a warning directed to the faithful and discreet slave.

  Notice that Jesus introduces the warning with the words “if ever.” One scholar says that in the Greek text, this passage “for all practical purposes is a hypothetical condition.” In effect, Jesus was saying: ‘If the faithful and discreet slave were ever to mistreat his fellow slaves in these ways, this is what the master will do when he arrives.’ (See also Luke 12:45.) (The Watchtower July 15, 2013 pg. 24)

But this is not the only false teaching presented in this magazine article.

Other teachings were corrected in 1957:

“What is the “new name” mentioned at Revelation 2:17? Is it the name “Jehovah’s witnesses”? And what about similar references at Isaiah 62:2 and 65:15?—M. N., United States.

Isaiah 62:2 (AS) reads: “And the nations shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory; and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah shall name.” As shown in “New Heavens and a New Earth”, pages 232-234, the children of Zion were brought back from bondage to antitypical Babylon and joyfully united with their “mother” in 1919. From then on God caused their condition to prosper and their “land” to become populated. It was at this time that God gave his “woman” or heavenly organization a new name, as noted at Jeremiah 33:16 (AS), namely, “Jehovah our righteousness.” It is a name that befits her, a name that Jehovah himself composed. This change of name is in keeping with her changed condition and fittingly describes it; especially as respects her earthly things that have to do with her spiritual sons on earth.

As for the prophecy at Isaiah 65:15 (AS): “And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen; and the Lord Jehovah will slay thee; and he will call his servants by another name.” These words are directed to the forsakers of Jehovah, whose name becomes a symbol or illustration of God’s punishment of the wicked. On the other hand (as noted also in the Bible study aid mentioned above), Jehovah’s chosen ones, the spiritual children of Zion who faith fully serve him, he calls by a name different from that of the evil apostate servants. “It is a name or reputation representing the divine favor and blessing upon one and denoting membership in his universal theocratic organization with honorable privileges of service to God.”—“New Heavens and a New Earth”, p. 233.

Thus we see that these texts in Isaiah do not specifically refer to the name “Jehovah’s witnesses,” but rather to the blessed condition and honor enjoyed by God’s woman or heavenly organization and by her spiritual children since 1919. However, harmonizing with all the foregoing, the remnant of Zion’s children did, on July 26, 1931, embrace the new name “Jehovah’s witnesses” as being descriptive of their testifying to Jehovah’s greatness and supporting his side of the issue of universal sovereignty. This they did in harmony with the Scriptural reference at Isaiah 43:10-12 (AS): “Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; . . . and there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God.”

Referring now to Revelation 2:17, which tells that Christ will give to him that conquers “a little white stone, and upon the little stone a new name written which no one knows except the one receiving it.” Commenting on this little white stone, McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopædia tells that it ‘has been variously regarded as referring to the pebble of acquittal used in the Greek courts, to the lot cast in elections in Greece, to the stones of the high priest’s breastplate and to the custom of writing on stones.’

Relative to the thought of writing on stones, there was a custom among the Romans and Greeks of ancient times to use a white stone as a token of friendship. It was divided into halves and each wrote his name on one half and then the halves were exchanged. The producing of either half was sufficient to prove friendship and to secure aid if needed, and that even on the part of members of a succeeding generation. Thus the divided stone became a symbol of identification and friendship.

The new name mentioned at Revelation 2:17 does not seem to apply specifically to the name “Jehovah’s witnesses.” Why not? For one thing, note that it is given as a reward to the members of Christ’s body for having conquered Satan and the world. It would therefore apply only to something received upon their being rewarded in the first resurrection. This is in keeping with the rewards mentioned in the same and in the succeeding chapter, such as being given a place with Christ on his throne, being given the crown of life, being given power over the nations, etc. Again, no one knows the new name except the ones receiving it.

It would therefore seem that the new name mentioned at Revelation 2:17 refers to a new position of intimate relationship that will be enjoyed by those sharing in the first resurrection, that cannot be appreciated by others or even known by the overcomers themselves until they receive their heavenly reward for having conquered. (The Watchtower October 1, 1957 pg. 607 Questions From Readers)

What originally was meant by Isaiah’s prophecy of a new name? Did it involve a new designation or label? From that point on did the Israelites cease to be called Jews but become known as Jehovah’s Witnesses?

 “A New Name” Given by Jehovah

What does Jehovah have in mind for Zion, his heavenly “woman,” represented by ancient Jerusalem? He states: “The nations will certainly see your righteousness, O woman, and all kings your glory. And you will actually be called by a new name, which the very mouth of Jehovah will designate.” (Isaiah 62:2) As the Israelites act in righteousness, the nations are forced to look on attentively. Even kings are forced to acknowledge that Jehovah is using Jerusalem and that any rulership they exercise pales into insignificance beside Jehovah’s Kingdom.—Isaiah 49:23.

Jehovah now confirms the changed condition of Zion by giving her a new name. That new name signifies the blessed condition and honored status enjoyed by Zion’s earthly children beginning in 537 B.C.E. [ftn. In Bible prophecy “a new name” can signify a new position or privilege.—Revelation 2:17; 3:12.] It shows that Jehovah acknowledges Zion as belonging to him. (Isaiah’s Prophecy Light for All Mankind vol. 2 pgs.337-338)

Where does the Bible say that the words of the prophet Isaiah would have a fulfillment in the 20^th century?

“Jehovah continues to address those who have forsaken him: “You men will certainly lay up your name for an oath by my chosen ones, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will actually put you individually to death, but his own servants he will call by another name; so that anyone blessing himself in the earth will bless himself by the God of faith, and anyone making a sworn statement in the earth will swear by the God of faith; because the former distresses will actually be forgotten and because they will actually be concealed from my eyes.” (Isaiah 65:15, 16) All that will remain of those who have forsaken Jehovah is their name, which will be used only in an oath, or a curse. This may mean that those who wish to bind themselves in a solemn manner by an oath will, in effect, say: ‘If I do not fulfill this promise, let me experience the punishment that those apostates received.’ It may even mean that their name will be used illustratively, like Sodom and Gomorrah, as a symbol of God’s punishment of the wicked.

¹⁹ How different the lot of God’s own servants will be! They will be called by another name. That signifies the blessed condition and honor they will enjoy back in their homeland. They will not seek a blessing from any false god or swear by any lifeless idol. Instead, when they bless themselves or swear an oath, they will do so by the God of faithfulness. (Isaiah 65:16, footnote) The inhabitants of the land will have reason for complete confidence in God, for he will have proved himself to be true to his promises. Safe in their homeland, the Jews will soon forget the former distresses. (Isaiah’s Prophecy vol. 2 pp. 380-381 pars. 18-19)

Hence, to say that this prophecy denotes an action by Jehovah God to identify a specific religious group as his servants by giving them a new name is to go beyond the things that are written in his inspired word. This was clearly stated in The March 15, 2015 Watchtower:

“As we might expect, over the years Jehovah has helped “the faithful and discreet slave” to become steadily more discreet. Discretion has led to greater caution when it comes to calling a Bible account a prophetic drama unless there is a clear Scriptural basis for doing so. Additionally, it has been found that some of the older explanations about types and antitypes are unduly difficult for many to grasp. The details of such teachings—who pictures whom and why—can be hard to keep straight, to remember, and to apply. Of even greater concern, though, is that the moral and practical lessons of the Bible accounts under examination may be obscured or lost in all the scrutiny of possible antitypical fulfillments. Thus, we find that our literature today focuses more on the simple, practical lessons about faith, endurance, godly devotion, and other vital qualities that we learn about from Bible accounts. (The Watchtower March 15, 2015 pgs. 9,10 par. 10)

Paragraphs 11 and 12 further denounce the so called “evil slave class”:

11 “Organized religion, ” called “Christianity”, has done much damage to the proclamation of the truth of the kingdom of God and its work ; but the “evil servant” class, the “man of sin”, is in a position to do much more pernicious damage, None but a Judas class taking the same name of God’s “faithful servant” could be in a position calculated to cause so much damage to the truth and so much confusion to the people. At the present time those companies who call themselves “Bible Students”, “Associated Bible Students,” and “followers of Pastor Russell”, and who claim to be “grounded in the basic features of the truth as expounded by Brother Russell”, are speaking against the class that is proclaiming the message of the kingdom. Such opposers denounce the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and its organization as a “book-selling scheme”, and that it is doing a “great work falsely in the name of the Lord”. (pg. 293)

12 There are many in the earth who have heard something of present truth and who by reason of the conflict between those who are called by the name of “Bible Students” are uncertain as to just what to do. That such may have no occasion to be uncertain it seems that God will mark as his own those who are his true servants and who will prove it by the rendering of true fealty and devotion to Jehovah God.

Again, with all this opposition to the self- proclaimed “faithful servant” it “seems” appropriate for God to make known to all those who are his true servants. It is not hard to imagine that by the rendering of true fealty and devotion to Jehovah God, the door door preaching is what should serve as the determining factor, even though nowhere does participation in this activity appear in Isaiah’s prophecy as a means of identifying God’s true servants.

Regarding the importance placed on the preaching work A.H. MacMillan states:

With the birth of the New World society in 1919 a new spirit had come into us and we were eager to carry our message of Jehovah’s established kingdom to the ends of the earth. This meant we must close up our ranks and unify our efforts. Russell had left it much to the individual as to how we were to fulfill our responsibilities. When we were sent out as speakers to visit the congregations we had our own way about it. We selected our own subjects for our talks and, as a result, there was considerable confusion as to what was said. Rutherford wanted to unify the preaching work and, instead of having each individual give his own opinion and tell what he thought was right and do what was in his own mind, gradually Rutherford himself began to be the main spokesman for the organization. That was the way he thought the message could best be given without contradiction. At the same time we began to realize that each one of us had a responsibility to go from house to house and preach. We were shown that it was a covenant-keeping arrangement. We had a duty to God, as well as a privilege and a duty to our fellow-men to see that they were informed of God’s purposes. God’s favor and approval was not to be won by developing “character.” In 1927 we were shown that the way each individual was to serve was to go from door to door. (A.H. MacMillan Faith on the March pg. 152)

But not all agreed that this was a scriptural responsibility.

Joseph Rutherford admitted that most of the Early Watchtower Bible Students left the Organization.

Alan Rogerson in his book (as well as some other books) gives the 1925 Memorial attendance as 90,434, and 1926 as 89,278.  However, the 1928 Memorial attendance was only a little over 19,000.  With so many of the Anointed now gone, Joseph Rutherford soon turned the message away from the heavenly calling to the earthly hope.

Joseph Rutherford admitted that most of the Early Watchtower Bible Students left the Organization.  We learn much from his own words.  He said that those who had left the Society were in number larger than those who stayed.  Notice this 1927 Watchtower:

During the past fifty years God has been causing his light to shine with increasing power upon his Word.  He has not given his people new truths, but illuminated the truths already given.  During that short period of time many have separated themselves from all organized systems of religion and have tried to walk in the way that Jesus and the apostles walked.  For a time they made progress; and then many became tired and weary in well doing or thought more highly of themselves than they should think or became lawless, while others became offended.  These turned away, so that today the larger percent of those who withdrew from so-called organized Christianity have turned aside and again gone back into the world. — The Watchtower December 1, 1927 pg 355 col 1 par 4

Notice how he says that “the larger percent” of Bible Students have gone back into the world.  In the next article, he again admits that the Bible Students who left the organization are “comparatively large,” but this time, rather than saying they have gone into the world, he admits that they formed into many groups, all claiming to be God’s little flock.

Those who tremble at God’s Word are the ones who are diligent to keep and obey his commandments.  They have no fight, to be sure, with the opposers, and mention is here made of it, not for the purpose of controversy, but that God’s people may be encouraged in seeing the fulfillment of prophecy, as it is manifested by the will of God they shall be encouraged.  When it is clearly seen that the opposition to God’s work was long ago foretold by his prophet, and that the prophecy is now being fulfilled, such is a great encouragement to the faithful and is an evidence that the Lord is dealing with them and that they are in his favor.  It is therefore clear that it is the will of God that attention of the faithful shall be called to these things at this time.  The total number of those who have withdrawn from the Society and now oppose its work is comparatively large, when such are taken all together.  These are now divided into many companies, all claiming to be followers of Christ and claiming to be God’s little flock, while at the same time they speak evil things concerning those who are faithful endeavoring to serve God. — The Watchtower November 15, 1930 pg 342 col 1 pars 1-2

Most JWs are unaware that the reason Rutherford proposed the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” was to draw a clear line of distinction from those who had left the Society and those who remained.  It is usually thought that it was strictly due to “new light”, but the resolution adopted at that Columbus Ohio convention in 1931 centers around the need for a new name due to the divisions. (http://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/2011/11/25/joseph-rutherford-admitted-that-most-of-the-early-watchtower-bible-students-left-the-organization/)

Hence, the reason for the new name begins to reveal itself in paragraph 13:

“It now seems that the time has come when the “faithful servant” class must be definitely identified as Judeans, or the people who honor and praise Jehovah God and who are faithful and true to him and to his service. Therefore Jehovah declares: ‘My servant shall be called by another name.’ It is certain from the text above cited that the name must be the one which the mouth of Jehovah God will name or has named.

This is all finally brought to a climax in paragraphs 29-31:

“ Many persons claim to be servants of Jehovah God; but there is one Servant whom Jehovah chooses and names, and the identity of such is proven by what they who compose the Servant do. This class comes to the front at the time when Jehovah will have a positive, clear-cut and emphatic witness given in the earth, and which is the present time. Jehovah commands saying: “Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.” (Isa. 43: 8) The time has come for notice to be served upon the rulers and the ruled. Therefore says Jehovah : “Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled ; who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them hear, and say, It is truth. “–Isa. 43:9.

30 In other words, let each class prove their claim that they represent the Lord and justify themselves, or else let the ones failing so to do admit that they are wrong and that the testimony by God’s witnesses is true. Then to the remnant or faithful servant class Jehovah gives a plain and positive name which is the new name, and it is the same name which he gave to Christ Jesus, ‘The Amen, the true and the faithful witness.’ To the remnant who must deliver the testimony of Jesus Christ and who must make known that Jehovah is the only true God, the Most High, Jehovah says : “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen ; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he; before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you; therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.”

31 As faithful servants of God and followers of Christ Jesus we will continue to use the instruments the Lord has placed in our hands. Among these instruments are The Watch Tower, the corporations the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, the International Bible Students Association, and the Peoples Pulpit Association ; and these are used only as instruments to prepare and publish a proclamation or message. We refuse, however, to bear the name of a corporation or to bear the name of any man. By the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and of our heavenly Father we joyfully receive and bear the name which the mouth of Jehovah God has named and given to us, to wit, Jehovah’s witnesses. Henceforth may it be known that we are Jehovah’s witnesses; and by his grace we will be his true and faithful witnesses and bear the message of his great name to the nations of the earth.

Even though Jehovah in Isaiah 43:10 calls upon the Israelites to be his witnesses, were they thereafter known as Jehovah’s Witnesses? Did they have the responsibility to bear the message of his great name to the nations of the earth?

“Jehovah appointed Israel as his witness to the nations. (Isaiah 43:10) However, only a few Israelites were divinely commanded to go and preach to non-Israelites, and this was usually in order to announce Jehovah’s judgments. (Jeremiah 1:5; Jonah 1:1, 2) (The Watchtower September 1, 1995 pg. 17 par. 15)

In his book “In Search of Christian Freedom” Raymond Franz comments:

“At Acts 11:26, we read that “the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” That was the name by which they were known and which they themselves used, as is shown in the texts at Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16. The New World Translation even renders Acts 11:26 as saying “it was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.” Whether such rendering is accurate or not, the question remains, by what right does any man or group of men decide to adopt a name other than the one used by first century Christians? Where is there the divine authorization or direction to do so? Among the last recorded words that God’s Son spoke on earth to his disciples is the command: You will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant parts of the earth. By what right, then, do men who claim to be footstep followers of God’s Son select a name which does not even bear witness to the Christ? How do they justify choosing a name that reaches back some 700 years before his appearance as the Messiah, back to words spoken to the Jewish people under the Law Covenant?” (Raymond Franz In Search of Christian Freedom pg. 491)

“When the angels of God carry out the final part of the parabolic picture in effecting the harvest of the wheat from the weeds, labels in the form of denominational names surely will play no part.” (pg. 492)