Russell Says The Jews Are Superior Morally and Intellectually?

By Ronald R. Day, Sr.

The following is from "Bloodlines of the Illuminati," written by Fritz Springmeier.

Russell Says The Jews Are Superior Morally and Intellectually

Russell preached that the Jews are superior to Christians morally and intellectually.

"Judged in this broad, general way, who will dispute that the twelve million Jews are not in advance of the average of Christendom intellectually and morally?" C.T. Russell.

That's quite appropriate for a man who has turned the Messiah basically into a collection of Jews. Russell's hatred for Christianity could serve the interests of any group bent on Christendom's destruction.

The above contains a quote from a sermon of Brother Russell. Below is a link to the entire sermon:

Jews Not to be Converted to Christianity

If one reads what Russell actually said in context, it should become apparent that Russell had just described scripturally the mission of the true church and separateness of the world of the true church that is enrolled in heaven, and showing that the vast majority of those professing to be Christian are only Christian in name only. It is from this standpoint as related to the millions of professing Christians who were not giving in evidence of actually being consecrated to service of Christ that Brother Russell was speaking as being a broad general way of most Christians that Brother Russell compared the Jew to both "intellectually and morally." Russell was not saying that the Jew is inherently superior to those of Christendom, but he was speaking of his observation in which he could see that most Jews were far ahead of most professing Christians both morally and intellectually. 

Earlier in the study being quoted from above, Brother Russell criticizes the Jews:

The Jewish rabbis give practically all of their attention to the reading of prayers in the synagogue, which the people could do as well for themselves, and to the killing of the cattle, which can be done better by our great beef trusts -- which indeed do the most of it and then leave it for the rabbis to mark "kosher." God's Word through the Prophet applies to Jews as well as to Christians --"My people perish for lack of knowledge;" [Hosea 4:6] "There is a famine in the land, not for bread, but for the hearing (understanding) of the Word of the Lord." [Amos 8:11]

In this quote, he classifies both the Jew as well as the Christians as lacking in knowledge. 

Christendom

Christendom, as Brother Russell used it, refers to the alleged "Christian" kingdoms of the earth as supposedly the kingdom of Christ; Brother Russell stated in the study quoted above: 

But Christendom is not the Church of Christ at all. The term is a misnomer. It signifies Christ's Kingdom; whereas Christ's Kingdom, Messiah's Kingdom, is not yet, but is still waited for by the Jews and by the true Church --the saintly "little flock" of the New Testament. Both Jews and saintly Christians still pray, "Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done;" and both still recognize that Messiah's Kingdom is the need of the world, and the hope of the world--and both are waiting for it.

Being a false "Christ's kingdom," and filled with sectarianism, such must come to an end in order for the peoples of these so-called "Christian" nations to be freed so as to learn how to serve God with one consent in the millennium. -- Isaiah 2:2-4; 26:9; Zephaniah 3:9.

By the same line of reasoning, we should realize that what is now what is often called Judaism is not what is to be approved by God, but rather the true Judaism which is to eventually accept Jesus as their Messiah under the new covenant which Brother Russell believed was yet future (and we believe is still yet future).  However, one could say, however, that true Judaism is in harmony with true Christianity. Thus, Brother Russell stated, evidently speaking of true Judaism: "Jesus and his apostles expounded the harmony between Christianity and Judaism, nevertheless comparatively few Christians today seem to grasp the subject clearly." -- "Christianity and the Law." Watch Tower, April 1, 1912, page 117.

And yet, so must present-day traditional Judaism and its blindness (*** add references) must be taken away, thus freeing the Jewish people so that may be enlightened so as to serve Jehovah with one consent. (Isaiah 2:2-4; Zephaniah 3:9) This cannot be done without their acceptance of Jesus as being their Messiah. Brother Russell stated, ""We understand one of the first things of the new order of things will be pouring upon Israel their share of the blessings and their eyes will be opened to recognize Him whom they rejected more than eighteen hundred years ago." -- What Pastor Russell Said, page 94.

Illuminati Bloodline

Any approval of the idea of there being any such "Illuminati Bloodline," as described by various "conspiracy" theorists, automatically rejects the Bible, and the basis of the ransom for all as revealed in the Bible, since Christ died for all who are dying in Adam. Adam and all of Adam's descendants are condemned in Adam. (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22) We find nothing in the Bible about any special condemned bloodlines in our time. Russell only believed in one condemned bloodline (although he never used the word "bloodline"), that all races are descended from one blood (Acts 17:26), and that since all are condemned in one man, then only one sinless man is needed to redeem the entire human race. The Bible does not teach, nor did Russell teach, anything about any bloodlines today that are outside the power of the blood of Jesus to redeem.

It is the Bible itself, however, that shows that the Jewish people were alone chosen by God to receive the Law, and to the extent that any Jew would seek to keep that Law,  would, of course, result in better moral standards than all other nations. Was God being racist to do this? From the standpoint of the carnally-minded, it would seem so; it is only as one appreciates God's overall purposes that one can begin to comprehend the details of God's purposes.

Additionally, it is totally false that Russell turned the Messiah "into a collection of Jews." Jesus, of course, was indeed a Jew, but the body of Christ is mostly Gentiles, taken from all tribes and nations of the earth.

Russell's Alleged Hatred for Christanity

Russell had no hatred for Christianity. Only someone who is totally ignorant of what Russell taught or one who has a somewhat willful desire to misrepresent Russell would consider any idea that Brother Russell hated Christianity. In the sermon quoted above, Brother Russell stated:

The world misunderstands Christianity; so do the majority of Christians. The general misconception is, that the Church of Christ is in the world as a reformatory institution--to give the world correct moral ideas and to help keep them out of drunkard graves and from all kinds of licentiousness, brutality, profanity, etc. Indeed, the world measures Christianity by its success in fighting down these evils, and many Christians have the same false views.

This does not sound like Brother Russell was expressing a hatred for Christianity, but rather that he was defending Christianity, although he does point some false concepts of what many think that Christianity is supposed to be doing.

Russell, however, most often spoke of those who belong to Christ as being "Christian." Russell did, at times, refer to "nominal Christianity," noting an adherence to Christianity in name only. While one could say he hated the disobedience of Jesus as shown in actions and beliefs of nominal Christianity, he had no hatred for Christianity itself. In many cases, I would have quote extremely long portions of what Russell wrote in order for the reader to understand how Brother Russell spoke of a false or nominal Christianity as opposed to true Christianity. Here are a couple of short quotes from Russell regarding Christianity that could be easily understood:

Christianity is not selfish, but the reverse. -- Watch Tower, March 15, 1909, page 91.

This certainly doesn't sound like he hated Christianity.

True science has never contradicted the Bible; has never touched it but to confirm. The same God made both the world and the Word, so that there can be no contradiction. It is only false science that has seemed -- or been made to appear -- in conflict with Christianity. -- Watch Tower, September 1, 1904, page 262

If Russell hated Christianity, why would he seek to defend Christianity in relation to what he calls "false science"?

For more related to this see:
https://rlctr.blogspot.com/p/racist.html

The Color Line Found Necessary

 We are reproducing below a portion from an article from the Watch Tower, April 1, 1914, that is often misrepresented as proof that Brother Russell was a racist.

While it seems that Brother Russell gave a solid explanation of their decision, many still wish to force this into making it appear that Brother Russell was "racist" in choosing to have the colored seated separate from the whites.  It was standard at that time that white and blacks did not sit together in such meetings. In many places, it was even illegal for blacks and whites to congregate together.

This, however, was a public showing; it was not a meeting simply for the Bible Students. Please note that, as best as we can determine, it was not Brother Russell nor the Bible Students who were demanding not to be seated along with the blacks, it appears to be people from the public, many of whom certainly belonged to and/or attended various churches. Evidently, the situation was such that it appeared that these while people may have disrupted the showing of the Photo-Drama if the blacks were allowed to sit alongside them. Thus Brother Russell considered that he had to decide either to cancel the showing to avoid racial confrontation, or have blacks seated separately so that the Photo Drama could be shown. We do not believe that Brother Russell's decision to put God first makes him a "racist."

Nor should one judge Brother Russell according to later concepts related to racism. For instance, some have claimed that his usage of the term "colored" was itself racist. This would appear to be based on later concepts of offensive "racist" words some have created, which ideas did not exist when Russell was alive. Brother Russell certainly would not have been aware that anyone considered the word "colored" to be offensive to anyone, and as far we can determine none at that time objected to use of the word "colored." It would not be fair to think that Brother Russell should abide by later concepts that did not exist when he was alive.

Good sense makes one slow to anger,

and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11, English Standard Version.

Did Russell Separate From and Later Divorce His Wife?

 

A poster in a forum that appears to no longer exist, made the following claim::

"Charles Taze Russell separated from his wife Maria and later divorced…without a scriptural basis."

Another, among many other false claims concerning Russell, made the following statement: "In court he claimed to be a Greek scholar [The truth is that Russell never made any such claim in court or out of court], yet in court he could not identify the Greek alphabet.  He lied under sworn oath and proved himself a perjurer.  [Russell never proved himself to be a perjurer.] In court it was discovered that he divorced his wife and gave his wife alimony."

Another claims "There are transcripts of his trail when he divorced his wife, because she accused him of groping other women. And his tombstone is a pyramid with the masonic symbol. [The pyramid is not Russell's tombstone, nor does it have any masonic symbol.] You can google the images."

Did Russell separate himself from his wife? No!

Did Russell later divorce his wife? No!

Actually, it was Mrs. Russell who separated from her husband, and and it was she who later filed for divorce; the court decision actually amounted to a legal separation. Brother Russell, of course, had no control over what his wife sought to do.

Here is some pertinent information from Joseph Rutherford's A Great Battle in the Ecclesiastical Heavens concerning this matter:

Without notice, [Russell's wife] voluntarily separated herself from him in 1897, nearly eighteen years after their marriage. For nearly seven years she lived separate and apart from him, he furnishing her a separate home.

There is much more that could be said, but this gives a summation.

The Wikipedia article on Charles Taze Russell correctly reports:

Maria Russell filed a suit for legal separation in the Court of Common Pleas at Pittsburgh in June 1903 and three years later filed for divorce under the claim of mental cruelty.... She was granted a separation, with alimony, in 1908.

Rutherford, in his book mentioned before also stated:

It has been remarked by a number of lawyers who have read the record in this case that "no court has ever before granted a separation upon so slight testimony as appears in this case."

***

There never has been an absolute divorce of either of the parties.

While in Ireland in the year 1911, Russell reported an event that is related to this:

The questions were of the usual order and were answered fully and promptly and to the apparent satisfaction of all the audience except the "Y.M.C.A." rowdies. One of the questions was inspired by an attack made on me there recently by the Rev. Dr. Torry. It was, "Is it true that you are divorced from your wife?"

I replied that my topic was, "Which Is the True Gospel?" and that my home affairs and my relationship to my God were my personal affairs. Nevertheless I would answer the question. "I am not divorced from my wife. The decree of the court was not divorce, but separation, granted by a sympathetic jury, which declared that we would both be happier separated. My wife's charge was cruelty, but the only cruelty put in evidence was my refusal on one occasion to give her a kiss when she had requested it." I assured my audience that I disputed the charge of cruelty and believed that no woman was ever better treated by a husband. The applause showed that the audience believed my statements. -- Watch Tower, December 1, 1911, page 436.

At any rate, it is apparent that Mrs. Russell was never actually granted a full divorce. 

Russell Acknowledges Jesus as "Channel"

I am giving below some quotes from Brother Russell that shows that he believed Jesus to be the channel between God and man.

It was quite proper that these disciples did not follow the course that some are inclined to follow today, viz., to seek to learn of the Master all that he would communicate, and then go forth and pose as wise ones amongst their friends, giving them the information they had received in driblets, and avoiding the mention of Jesus as the Father's channel of communication of the truth to them. -- "We Have Found Him! Eureka!", Watch Tower, February 1, 1900.

None have life in a legal sense except those who have obtained it from God through His provided channel Christ Jesus. -- "From Death to Life in Christ", Harvest Gleanings III.

All resolutions against sin and in favor of righteous thinking and living are commendable and helpful. But I recommend a comprehensive resolution; namely, to get right with God through His appointed Channel, the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the instructions of His Word, the Bible. -- "A New Epoch Starts", Harvest Gleanings III.

God purposed to allow sin to demonstrate for six thousand years its awful fruitage, and then to bring in a great Sabbath Day, the great Millennial Sabbath of a thousand years, and in that time to do a work for mankind which they cannot do for themselves. He is to do this work through Jesus, His appointed Channel. -- "New Creatures Perfect in Holiness", Harvest Gleanings III.

Only as the Heavenly Father shall grant His blessing may fruits to our labors be expected. It is written, "As many as the Lord your God shall call," and "No man can come unto Me except the Father who sent Me draw him." (Acts 2:39; John 6:44) Hence we see that our present appreciation of Divine goodness implies three gifts: (1) The Divine provision of eternal life, (2) Christ the Channel, and (3) the knowledge by which we are enabled to appreciate both the Gift and the Channel. -- "Christ Our Propitiation", Watch Tower, December, 1882.

The channel of all of God's Mercy is Christ Jesus, who declared, "No man cometh unto the Father but by Me." Of Him also St. Peter said, "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under Heaven given amongst men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12.)  -- "Hope for the Sodomites", Watch Tower, February 1, 1913.

If anyone finds more that could be placed here, please respond in the comments below.

Related:

Who Did Russell Believe to be the "Only Authority" of the Church?

What Did Russell Teach About "Organization" as Related to the Watch Tower Society?

Cross and Crown References

This page presents some links to the works of Charles Taze Russell which demonstrate his usage of the cross and crown symbolism. We have included excerpts for many of the links. To read the entire articles, click on the title of the articles provided. We do not necessarily agree with all of the conclusions presented.

The New Creature's Resurrection Begun

The cross represents our faith in the death of Christ and our desire to walk in His steps; the crown represents the reward of glory, honor and immortality; and the wreath around the cross and crown represents the Restitution blessings coming to the world of mankind.

The above statement is most succinct in revealing exactly what the cross and crown meant to Brother Russell. All of this is in harmony with the Bible, and very directly shows that this was used as an illustration of what appears in the Bible itself. -- Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:6-9; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; Acts 3:21; Romans 3:20-22; 5:6,8,10; 1 Corinthians 15:3,21,22; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 2:8; 3:9; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10.

Self-Denial and Cross-Bearing Conditions

Cross-bearing is closely related to self-denial, and yet a distinction between them may be noted....  We exhort,... [that] they may learn the full meaning of self-consecration and immolation which our Lord's words signify: and that they be not content with the wearing of a cross as an ornament, but grasp fully and clearly the purport of the Master's words respecting the true cross-bearing, that in due time they may also attain to the crown-bearing promised as a reward to the faithful.

Brother Russell in the article linked to shows that he connects the cross with the Christian's bearing sufferings and reproach for Christ so that he may attain the crown, evidently referring to joint-heirship with Christ. Very few of those called will attain that prize.

Our point here is, however, that this usage of the cross and crown symbolism is simply Biblical; it symbolizes suffering with Christ if one wishes to receive the crown of joint-heirship with Christ. Such usage is not related to the Knights Templar and definitely offers no reason to imagine and assume that Russell's usage of the cross and crown has to mean that he was a member of an organization (Knights Templar) that teach almost the opposite doctrine from what Brother Russell presented. Many may not realize that in order to be a member of the Knights Templar, one has to accept the traditional trinitarian creeds. The message that Russell spent nearly his entire life preaching and defending is definitely not in harmony with those creeds.

Brother Russell's usage of the Biblical cross and crown illustration definitely has nothing at all to do with promoting heathen occultism, mysticism, spiritism, etc.

A Soldier of the Cross

Excerpt: WAS there ever a nobler soldier of the Cross than St. Paul – the Redeemer alone excepted? ... St. Paul, copying his Master, laid down his life for Jew and Gentile, bond and free, male and female, to assist in gathering the "elect" to be the Bride of Christ – that ultimately through the glorified King and his glorified Bride, all the families of the earth may receive the blessing which God waits to give to "all the families of the earth, through Abraham's Seed." – Galatian 3:29.

We should note that the Bible does not speak of being a soldier of the cross, but it does speak of being a soldier for Jesus.  -- 2 Timothy 2:3. 

Nevertheless, again, in this article, the use of the cross symbolism has nothing to do with heathenism, nor is the symbolism taken from the Freemasons or Knights Templar, but rather it is Biblical, being used as a symbol of service to God and Jesus. 

Christ Within (poem)

O WHAT, if we are Christ's,

Is earthly shame or loss?

Bright shall the crown of glory be

When we have borne the cross.

Brother Russell had this poem put in the book Poems of the Millennial Dawn, and it was also published in the pages of the Watch Tower. Evidently, he believed this to be a good use of the Biblical symbolism of the cross and crown. We do not know who wrote this poem, but it is obviously written only with the idea of bearing the suffering for Christ and finally receiving the reward of the crown, which is what the cross and crown symbolism represents.

The poem, however, shows the scriptural meaning behind that cross (bearing our cross) with the hope of obtaining the crown of glory. Again, this has nothing at all to do with the Knights Templar, except that they might have made use of similar Biblical symbolism. There usage of the Biblical cross and crown, however, offers no reason to imagine and assume that the usage of that symbolism by anyone else must mean usage of a "Knights Templar" symbol. It certainly doesn't offer reason to imagine and assume that such usage of a Biblical cross and crown means that we need to imagine and assume that anyone who makes use of such a Biblical illustration must be a member of the Knights Templar.

No Cross, No Crown (Poem)

Thou canst not hope to wear the Crown,

If thou refuse the Cross!"

The poem linked to above was written by Gertrude Woodcock Siebert.. Again, however, we find no hint in any of her poems that she used the cross and crown in any other setting than that of Biblical symbolism.

It should be obvious, however, that Brother Russell allowed this to be published in the Watch Tower, because he felt it expressed the Biblical usage of the cross and crown, not because of any similar usage by the Knights Templar.

St. Paul's Last Words

Excerpt: The crown mentioned, the Apostle had seen for many years with the eye of his faith as a part of the Lord's promise.... That crown had been his cause of rejoicing for many years, not because of pride or ambition, but because of love and benevolence. He would love to receive that crown because it would be the mark of Divine appreciation and love for him; and a mark of his faithfulness.

Again, in the article linked to, we find that the cross and symbolism is simply shown to be Biblical. Paul certainly provides an example of bearing one's cross in order to receive the crown of becoming joint-heirs with Christ. 

The New Creature's Resurrection Begun

Except: Some of us wear what is known as a Cross and Crown Pin. The cross represents our faith in the death of Christ and our desire to walk in His steps; the crown represents the reward of glory, honor and immortality; and the wreath around the cross and crown represents the Restitution blessings coming to the world of mankind.  -- Harvest Gleanings, Vol. 3, page 721.

Comments: These few words directly refer to the Biblical cross and crown symbolism, and Brother Russell gives a clear statement as to what this symbolism means, all of which is in harmony with the Bible. Nothing in it is referring to any Masonic rituals, the Knights Templar, nor any form of Satanism, heathenism, etc. 

The Refiner's Fire (Poem)

Excerpt: 

Ah, no! but He saw thro' the present cross

The bliss of eternal gain.

Indirectly, this poem also illustrates the Biblical usage of the cross and crown.

The Word Was Made Flesh  

When Crown is Ours

====================

The above is only a small sampling of articles and other material in Brother Russell's publications that in some way show Brother Russell's usage of the Biblical cross and crown.  Anyone truly familiar with the work of Brother Russell would know that it is simply nonsensical to think that Brother Russell made use of the Biblical cross and crown symbol because of any supposed ties with the Freemasons or the Knight Templar. From the above and many other statements in the publications of Brother Russell, it should be obvious that his usage of the cross and crown symbolism is strictly Biblical. We cannot produce all his references to the Biblical cross or crown, but the above is a small sample. Nevertheless, his usage of these Biblical symbols has nothing to do with any kind of heathen or spiritistic occultism; nor does such usage come from the Knights Templar, as many like to claim.

Other Research:

Links to our research: Cross and Crown

Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Russell, the Bible Hell, and Eternal Punishment

Many claim that Russell was a heretic because, as they often put it, he denied that hell existed. Such often also claim that Russell denied "eternal punishment". Walter Martin and Norman Klann list "eternal punishment" as a "cardinal doctrine of the Bible", and state that Russell denied this doctrine, along with some other doctrines claimed to be "cardinal doctrines of the Bible." (Jehovah of the Watchtower, page 24) Russell, however, never denied that the Bible hell exists, nor did he deny "eternal punishment" as such is mentioned in the Bible, but he did show from the scriptures what the Bible hell is, and what it is not. Since by doing this he exposed the false teachings presented by man's self-appointed "orthodoxy," Russell himself was thus labeled a heretic by those who held to man's "orthodoxy."

Likewise, Russell did not deny the Bible's teaching concerning "eternal punishment." He did show how this expression is used in the Bible.

Searches of Russell's works related to the Bible hell:

Google searches of mostholyfaith.com:

Click Here to search Russell's works for the word "Hell".

Click Here to search Russell's works for the word "Sheol".

Click Here to search Russel's works for the word "Hades".

Click Here to search Russell's works for the phrase "lake of fire".

Click Here to search Russell's works for the word "Gehenna".

Click Here to search Russell's works for the phrase "everlasting fire".

Click Here to search Russell's works for the phrase "eternal fire".

Click Here to search Russell's works for the phrase "eternal punishment".

Click Here to search Russell's works for the phrase "everlasting punishment".

Click Here to search Russell's works for the phrase "eternal torment".

Click Here to search Russell's works for the phrase "eternal torture".

Click Here to search Russell's works for the phrase "eternal hell".

Click Here to search Russell's works for the phrase "rich man and lazarus". Click Here to see our own study on the rich man and Lazarus.

Click Here to search Russell's works for the word "Tartarus".

Actually, the noun "tartarus" never appears in the Bible, although many translations do insert the word at 2 Peter 2:4. Peter used a Greek verb, often transliterated as tartaroo, to describe the debasement of the angels that had sinned. Peter did not say that these angels had been cast into the Greek mythological "Tartarus". CLICK HERE to see our study on this.

Many do not realize that if what man's orthodoxy says about "hell" is true, then what the Bible says about Christ's redemption of mankind is false, since the very basis of Christ's redemption as presented in the Bible is denied by man's self-appointed "orthodox" teaching concerning hell. Russell, however, did not go into much detail about many aspects of the imaginations that have been presented by so-call orthodox supporters to support their false views of hell (indeed, many seemingly take the attitude, "if I can imagine it, it must be true."); we have sought to address many of these details in our "Life Now and Hereafter" site.

Was Russell the Founder of What is Now Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Walter Martin and Norman Klann, in the their books, Jehovah of the Watchtower (page 13, 1974 edition) and Kingdom of Cults (page 49, 2005 edition), make the following statement: “Charles Taze Russell was the founder of what is now Jehovah’s Witnesses and the energetic administrator that brought about its far-flung organization.” In reality, Russell did not believe in an authoritarian kind of organization such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, nor did he believe in the “gospel” (allged "good news" of bad tidings of great misery that will be for most of the poeple that they and their children will be eternally destroyed in Armageddon) that the Jehovah’s Witnesses preach.

An author on one site states:

Here’s the facts. The Jehovah’s Witnesses were started by Charles Taze Russell, who was associated formerly with the Second Advent Millerites, who became the Seventh Day Adventists.

Another states: "The sect now known as the Jehovah’s Witnesses was started by Charles Taze Russell."

Here's the real facts: The Jehovah's Witnesses were not started by Charles Taze Russell. Russell did have some association with the Second Adventists; some Second Aventists followed Ethel G. White and adopted her teachings (7th Day Adventism), but Russell was never associated with 7th Adventist Church, nor did Russell ever believe in the "sabbath" teachings of the SDA, nor did he ever believe that the earth would be with inhabitants for a thousand years. While the 7th Day Adventists eventually became the largest group to come out of the Second Adventists, there were many Second Adventists in Russell's day who were not 7th Day Adventists, and who did not believe in the SDA doctrine.

However, unlike the JW leadership, Charles Taze Russell was a non-sectarian who believed that the true church could be found among all Christian denonimations and sects. Russell did, however, urge Christians to give up such sectarianism, recognizing that God is going to destroy all such denominationalism and sectarianism, since such will not be permitted in God’s kingdom. (No, Russell was not preaching the eternal destruction of members of the various sects, as do the Jehovah’s Witnesses. He did preach that sectarian organizations will eventually be destroyed, thus freeing those who belong to such organizations so that they might be united to God through Jesus.

Many may not realize that Brother Russell did not claim that only those associated with him are true Christians. I present below some statements from Russell regarding “the true church”:

Those in all denominations who have conformed to the conditions required of Christian discipleship, the saintly ones, constitute the True Church- “The Church of the First-born, whose names are written in heaven.” — Harvest Gleanings, Volume 3, page 498.

If we shall recognize these saintly Christians of every nation and denomination as being the one true Church, “whose names are written in Heaven,” and if we shall recognize all others as Gentiles, we shall be getting the eye of our understanding into true alignment with the mind of God as expressed in the Bible. From this standpoint only can the prophecies of the Bible be understood. — Harvest Gleanings, Volume 3, page 616.

Please read also the following:

The True Church (Sermon by C. T. Russell)
St..Peter's Keys (Sermon by. C. T. Russell)

Russell taught that the Gospel of Jesus Christ includes the preaching of the “ransom for all, to be testified (witnessed) in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5,6) Thus, he believed that every one who has been condemned by means of the sin of Adam will “in due time” benefit from that ransom for all, including Adam himself. In other words, Russell taught almost the opposite of what the Jehovah’s Witnesses preach.

Please see:

The Watchtower’s Self-Contradiction About the Ransom

The real founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization was Joseph Rutherford, who, after Russell died, almost immediately began laying foundations for his new “organization” doctrines. By 1928, more than 75% of the earlier Bible Students movement had rejected Rutherford’s new doctrine of a “God’s visible organization” and were carrying on their ministries totally separate from Rutherford’s new organization. In order to distinguish his new organization from the old Bible Students movement, Rutherford named his new organization “Jehovah’s Witnesses” in 1931.

See also:

Was Charles Taze Russell the Founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses' Organization? (Video)

Was Russell the Founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Pastor Russell Not the Founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses (North Seattle Bible Students)

Founder of a False Religion?

Written by Others

While we may be in general agreement with what presented by the authors below, we do not necessarily agree with all conclusions given.

Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Claim Pastor Russell as Their Founder?

Jehovah's Witnesses Founded in 1931

How and Why Jehovah's Witnessses Were Founded

Pastor Russell Not the Founder of Jehovah's Witnesses