In 1894, the Watchtower organization predicted the world would end in 1914:
We see no reason for changing the figures — nor could we change them if we would. They are, be believe, God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble. We see no reason for changing from our opinion expressed in the view presented in the Watch Tower of January 15, ’92. We advise that it be read again. (WT 7/15/1894, p. 1677)
The book, The Harp of God stated proudly on its cover, “Proof Conclusive that Millions Now Living Will Never Die”. (The Harp of God, WTBTS, 1926, cover)
Later, 1914 became a time of Christ’s invisible presence on the earth:
The foretold events having begun A.D. 1914, the generation of mankind that is still alive from that year is the generation meant by Jesus Christ. Till now we have seen fulfilled the world-shaking features of the “sign of [Christ’s invisible] presence and of the consummation of the system of things.” (WT 4/15/1961, p. 236)
Soon, the people, the generation, who were around in 1914 became a tool of the Watchtower Organization to tell their followers the end was near. The Watchtower claimed this “generation” would not pass before the end:
If Jesus used “generation” in that sense and we apply it to 1914, then the babies of that generation are now 70 years old or older. And others alive in 1914 are in their 80’s or 90’s, a few even having reached a hundred. There are still many millions of that generation alive. Some of them “will by no means pass away until all things occur.”—Luke 21:32. (WT 5/15/1984 p. 5)
The Cover of the May 15, 1984 Watchtower showed a group of folks in their 60s, 70s, and 80, with the caption “1914 The Generation That Will Not Pass Away.”
In 2010, when the vast majority of those living in 1914 as Jehovah’s Witnesses had passed away, the Watchtower Organization changed it’s mind:
Although we cannot measure the exact length of “this generation,” we do well to keep in mind several things about the word “generation”: It usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6) How, then, are we to understand Jesus’ words about “this generation”? He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation. That generation had a beginning, and it surely will have an end. The fulfillment of the various features of the sign clearly indicates that the tribulation must be near. By maintaining your sense of urgency and keeping on the watch, you show that you are keeping up with advancing light and following the leadings of holy spirit
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