The creation of a theocracy - Joseph Franklin Rutherford - The Watch Tower Schism of 1917 - The bible students and the first world war - Post-war reorganization - Millions now living will never die - Rutherford's ministry - Conventions - Rutherford's growing power - The new name - The development of theocratic government - Growing social alienation - The growth of the bible student-Jehovah's Witness community - The vindication of Jehovah's name - The attack on religion - The great multitude - Rutherford's personal life and last days - Rutherford's death and legacy - 4. Charles Russell and the Bible student movement - The Bible Students' Association - The 'conspiracy' of 1894 - Russell as the faithful and wise servant - Russell's marital tribulations - The New Covenant Schism - Russell's external adversaries - Russell's last years and death - 3. Barbour and the Three Worlds - Russell breaks with Barbour - 2. Seiss - Russell and the object and manner of Christ's return - Dr. The doctrinal background of a new American religious movement - Charles Russell : the early years - George Stetson and George Storrs - The British Millenarian revival - The dispersion and development of Albury Park Eschatology - Dr. 'Thoroughly revised, the third edition of Penton's classic text includes substantial new information on the sources of Russell's theology and on the church's early leaders, as well as coverage of important developments within the sect since the second edition was published fifteen years ago.'- From publisher's website. Others involve internal controversies, including political control of the organization and the handling of dissent within the ranks.'- From publisher's website. Some of the issues he discusses are known to the general public, such as the sect's opposition to military service and blood transfusions. His book is divided into three parts, each presenting the Witnesses' story in a different context: historical, doctrinal, and sociological. As a former member of the sect, Penton offers a comprehensive overview of the Jehovah's Witnesses. James Penton's Apocalypse Delayed has been the definitive scholarly study of this religious movement. They distribute a billion pieces of literature annually, and continue to anticipate the end of the world.

Ever since that time, Jehovah's Witnesses have been predicting that the world would end 'shortly.' Their numbers have grown to many millions in over two hundred countries. The first prophecy was not fulfilled, but the outbreak of the First World War lent some credibility to the second.

Russell, their founder, advised his followers that members of Christ's church would be raptured in 1878, and by 1914 Christ would destroy the nations and establish his kingdom on earth. 'Since 1876, Jehovah's Witnesses have believed that they are living in the last days of the present world.

Apocalypse Delayed by M. James Penton