The Pyramid and the Watchtower

pyre

ˈpī(ə)r/

noun

1. a heap of combustible material, especially one for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony.

a·mid

əˈmid/

preposition

1. surrounded by; in the middle of.

Charles Taze Russell (February 16, 1852 – October 31, 1916), was an American Christian restorationist minister from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and founder of what is now known as the Bible Student movement.

After his death, Jehovah's Witnesses and numerous independent Bible Student groups developed from this base.

His father was an elite Freemason.

He left traditional Christianity on account of being troubled by the churches’ teachings of hell.

The Adventists believed that the soul is put to rest after death awaiting resurrection. Therefore, no Hell. By the age of 18, he participated in a reunion by the Second Adventists, held by Jonas Wendell. What he heard resurrected his faith in the Bible. The Adventists believed that the soul is put to rest after death awaiting resurrection. Therefore, no Hell. Russell studied the Bible and was greatly influenced by many Adventists such as George Storrs, Jonas Wendell, George Stetson and Nelson Barbour. Many of Russell’s doctrines came from the Adventists of the first hour including William Miller’s predictions because of his calculations of date for the return of Christ.

Inclusion of pagan symbols in its worship until the 1930's raises the question as to why God directed, or even allowed, symbols of this kind to identify his people, even well after the claimed cleansing of his spiritual temple in 1919.

The term Watchtower and Watch Tower Society are a namesake from the Adventist Movement.

Russell had great interest in the pyramid of Giza and its relationship with Bible prophecy. Rutherford continued to use the pyramid of Giza as part of prophecy until the 1930's.

In 1859, John Taylor published The Great Pyramid: Why Was It Built? And Who Built It? He put forward the idea that the architect and supervisor of the Great Pyramid was not an Egyptian but Noah.

Other pyramidologists believe it was Melchizedek.

Piazzi Smyth published an article on the Pyramid and its prophetic significance.

Joseph Seiss published a book on the pyramid entitled Miracle in Stone. Russell attributed his knowledge on pyramids to Smyth.

Prof. Smyth found the first of these measures to be 1874 Pyramid inches, the second, 1881 Pyramid inches, and the third, 1910 Pyramid inches. Thus reduced, they would give the dates October, 1874, October, 1881 and October, 1910 A.D. These three dates were important in early Watchtower prophetic doctrine.

Pyramids are a major aspect of Freemason teaching and many pagan religions. They were generally used as temples and played an important part in the belief of the afterlife.

Pyramids have been built at various times in Egypt, The Sudan, Ethiopia, western Asia, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, India, Thailand, Mexico, South America, and on some islands of the Pacific Ocean. Those of Egypt and of Central and South America are the best known.

Russell's interest was particularly in the Great Pyramid of Giza. Its base points are accurately oriented to the four cardinal points of the compass.

Russell's belief in the message of the pyramids was based on passages from Isaiah 19 and Jeremiah 32. "In that day there shall be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, for a sign and for a witness." (Isaiah 19: 19, 20.) Not only did God mention prophetically the great Pyramid in Isaiah, but also in Jeremiah 32:20, where we read that "He set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day."

He believed that the sign of Egypt was related to the dimension of the pyramid of Gizeh. He went to Egypt to measure the pyramid and claimed that the passage of the great pyramid of Gizeh was 2170 inches.

Russell: "The Great Pyramid in Egypt is a Witness to all these events of the ages and of our day; testifying in symbols? The Pyramid's downward passage under "A Draconis" symbolizes the course of Sin? Its First Ascending Passage symbolizes the Jewish age? Its grand Gallery symbolized the Gospel age? Its Upper Step symbolized the approaching period of tribulation and anarchy, "Judgments," upon Christendom? Its King's Chamber the Divine Nature, etc., of the Overcoming Church -- the Christ, Head and Body? Its Ante-Chamber the Correction in Righteousness of the "Great Company" etc.? Its Queen's Chamber those of Israel and the world who attain Restitution?"

He updated his pyramid measurements in later editions of Thy Kingdom Come to suit his new interpretation. Russell originally used the size of a pyramid to prove that 1874 A.D. marked the beginning of the period of trouble, as shown below in the 1891 edition of Thy Kingdom Come. In the 1911 edition of Thy Kingdom Come, Russell changed the pyramid measurements by 41 inches, to show that 1914 would be the beginning of the time of trouble.

Charles Taze Russell is buried in a family owned grave at the Rosemont United Cemetery, 226 Cemetery Lane, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Next to his grave is a pyramid erected as a memorial. It is complete with symbols of the knight's templar, All-Seeing-Eye and the inscription Watch Tower Bible And Tract Society. This cemetery contains the remains of known Masons, and it is claimed that Russell was embalmed at death. A Masonic temple, built after Russell's death, overlooks his grave.

"AT THE GRAVE On Monday, our last lingering look upon the scene recalled the peaceful manner of our Pastor's 'passing beyond the veil.'

The Watchtower Society burial lots in Rosemont United Cemeteries.

Watchtower belief in pyramidology continued under the leadership of Rutherford as late as 1925.

"In the great Pyramid of Egypt, standing as a silent and inanimate witness of the Lord, is a messenger; and its testimony speaks with great eloquence concerning the divine plan." Watchtower 1925 May 15 p.148

"Then Satan put his knowledge in dead stone, which may be called Satan's Bible, and not God's stone witness. In erecting the pyramid, of course, Satan would put in it some truth, because that is his method of practicing fraud and deceit." Watchtower 1928 Nov 15 p.344

Watchtower 2012 Aug 15 p.31

Though Rutherford claims it was from Satan's Bible, he himself had written about it, and Russell had introduced it under the guise of being directed by Holy Spirit as God's chosen "mouthpiece."

Cross and Crown

Watchtower used the Cross and Crown symbol for over half a century, until 1931. The crown symbolises the heavenly reward and the cross is for the trials of life endured as a Christian. Bible Students wore Cross and Crown pendants, and the image adorned the cover of The Watch Tower magazine.

In 1928 it was emphasized that not a decorative symbol but one's activity as a witness showed he was a Christian.

In 1936 it was pointed out that the evidence indicates that Christ died on a stake, not a two-beamed cross.

Whilst Proclaimers mentions that the Bible Students wore a cross and crown, this brief reference fails to explain what this symbol represented, and why they used the Cross and Crown.

The Cross and Crown is a symbol synonymous with Christian sects and secret societies such as the Illuminati and Christian Scientists, and also appears on some Catholic Churches.

The Cross and Crown is also referred to as the Knight's Templar, as it is used to identify the Freemasonry group the Knight's Templar, in honour of the 12th century Knights that are said to have devoted their lives to the crusades, protecting pilgrims to Jerusalem, and guarding the Holy Grail.

A Wreath surrounds the Cross and Crown that appeared on The Watch Tower cover. The wreath symbol also is used in the United Nations and Star Trek logos, both heavily influenced by Freemasons.

In 1933, the Cross and Crown was identified as an idol, and in 1934 the cross started to be described as pagan.

"All idols of character development and foolish hobbies, such as the pyramid of Egypt, chronology, tabernacle in the wilderness, cross-and-crown pins, and all like things, must be cut off and put away." Preparation 1933 p.239

The Cross and Crown were used for over 50 years, and appear on each side of the pyramid monument that adorns Russell's grave. If Watchtower is Jehovah's Organisation and directed by his holy spirit, why would Jehovah allow Watchtower for decades to promote what it now claims is pagan symbology?

The Winged Sun Disk, an Egyptian religious symbol used by Freemasons and occult groups, appeared on the cover of some editions of Studies In the Scriptures Series.

The 4000 year old Winged Sun Disk is found in Egypt and Mesopotamia, and associated with the sun and sun deities.

The sixth century Iranian religion Zoroastrianism adopted it with inclusion of a human figure under the term Faravahar.

A Masonic reference work describes the winged sun disk it this way; "The Winged-Disk, with the Uraei of Egypt, the original of which we find in the text summarized by Naville in the "Myths of Horus. Horus commanded Thoth that the Winged-Sun-Disk, with Uraei, should be brought into every sanctuary wherein he dwelt, and into every sanctuary of all the gods of the lands of the South and the North, and in Amentet, in order that they might drive away evil from therein." This is what is meant by the Winged-Disks, with the Uraei, which are seen over the entrances of the courts of the temples of all the gods and goddesses of Egypt."

The Rosicrucian Order, AMORC (Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis) is an occult organization that uses the Winged-Disk as their logo.

Rosicrucians are said to have existed for millennium and the AMORC organization started in 1915. As stated on their website;

"The goal of the Council is to bring cosmic help to all those in need of it. The Council does this by putting certain spiritual energies into motion and directing them in accordance with mystical law and natural principles." The Rosicrucian Order, AMORC (30 Mar 2005)

A Rosicrucian reference work, The Rosicrucians Their Teachings, (Swinburne, Clymer, Quakertown, PA.: The Philosophical Pub. Co., 1923 p. 112), says this about the winged-disk or globe;

"The Winged Globe is pre-eminently a Rosicrucian symbol, although the Illuminati may lay claim to it, and it may be admitted that it is of Egyptian origin. The Winged Globe is the symbol of the perfected soul making its flight back to the source of its creation in the Elysian fields beyond."

This was an unchristian symbol solely of pagan origins.

Watchtower has described this symbol as pagan avoiding mention that this symbol was used by Watchtower itself.

Crowning Russell's pyramid is the All Seeing Eye, a symbol used by Egyptians, Buddhism, occult worship, Freemasonry, Mormons, and appears on the American dollar bill.

The All-Seeing Eyes of Buddha

On Mormonism’s Salt Lake City Temple

On the Iron Cross

Aerial View of Jehovah's Witness Property in Denmark

Other names for this are Eye of Horus or Utchat Eye, as it is associated with both the Egyptian God Horus (god of war) and his father Osiris (who along with Isis comprise the Egyptian Triad).

Russell had an interest in the All Seeing Eye, we can look to the meaning Freemasons bestowed upon it.

Among the Egyptians, Osiris, their chief deity was symbolized by an open eye."

The eyes of Jehovah are in every place," beholding and watching, the evil and the good.

The "All-Seeing Eye" is a symbol of watchfulness and the eye of the Grand Architect.

It is the symbol of his Divine watchfulness and care of the Universe. The All-Seeing Eye, whom the Sun, Moon, and Stars obey, and under whose watchful care even comets perform their stupendous revolutions, pervades the inmost recesses of the human heart, and will reward us according to our merits.

The "Rays" represent "Light".

Freemasons are emphatically called "The Sons of Light" because they are entitled to be in possession of the true meaning and knowledge of this symbol. It is the first of all symbols presented to the initiate and continues to be presented to him in various forms throughout his Masonic career. But as Light not only came from God, it also makes man's way clear before him, so it is employed to signify moral truth. The All-Seeing Eye is another, and a still more important, symbol of the same great Being. The All-Seeing Eye may, then, be considered as a symbol of God manifested in his omnipresence-his guardian and preserving character-to which Solomon alludes in the Book of Proverbs when he says, "The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding (watching) the evil and the good." It is a symbol of the Omnipresent Deity.

The reason Freemasons use this symbol invokes Biblical connotations, yet has pagan origins.

YHWH: The Tetragrammaton and word Jehovah have been used by Freemasons over the centuries.

"Another important symbol is the Ineffable Name: The Tetragrammaton, or Ineffable Word, the Incommunicable Name. It is a symbol that has more than any other pervaded the rites of antiquity.

The triangle: there is no other symbol which is more various in its application or more generally diffused throughout the whole system of both the Spurious and the Pure Freemasonry.

The equilateral triangle appears to have been adopted by nearly all the nations of antiquity as a symbol of the Deity. Among the Hebrews, it has already been stated that this figure, with a yod in the centre, was used to represent the tetragrammaton, or ineffable name of God.

The star on the original Watchtower seal has Masonic connotations, being used on Masonic Seals.

Two columns appeared on the invitation to The Photo Drama of Creation, and some editions of Studies in the Scriptures.

"You entered the Lodge between two columns. They represent the two which stood in the porch of the Temple, on each side of the great eastern gateway. These pillars, of bronze were eighteen cubits high, with a capital five cubits high. The capitals were enriched by pomegranates of bronze, covered by bronze net-work, and ornamented with wreaths of bronze and appear to have imitated the shape of the seed-vessel of the lotus or Egyptian lily, a sacred symbol to the Hindus and Egyptians. The pillar or column on the right, or in the south, was named JACHIN. On the left BOAZ.

The first word means "He shall establish" and the second "in it is strength."

These columns were imitations by the Tyrian artist of the great columns consecrated to the Winds and Fire, at the entrance to the famous Temple of Malkarth, in the city of Tyre. It is customary, in Lodges of the York Rite, to see a celestial globe on one, and a terrestrial globe on the other.

The English noun tyrant appears in Middle English use, via Old French, from the 1290s. The word derives from Latin tyrannus, meaning "illegitimate ruler", and this in turn from the Greek τύραννος tyrannos "monarch, ruler of a polis"; tyrannos in its turn has a Pre-Greek origin, perhaps from Lydian.

The traditional king-list of Tyre, the ancient Phoenician city in what is now Lebanon, is derived in 42 BC. Marion was the Roman tyrant of Tyre.

After the battle is over
And the sands drunken the blood
All what there remains
Is the bitterness of delusion

The immortality of the gods
Sits at their side
As they leave the walls behind
To reach the jewel's gleam

The days have come
When the steel will rule
And upon his head
A crown of gold

Your hand wields the might
The tyrant's the precursor
You carry the will
As the morning is near

I sing the ballads
Of victory and defeat
I hear the tales
Of frozen mystery

Your hand wields the might
The tyrant's the precursor
You carry the will
As the morning is near

The new kingdoms rise
By the circle of the tyrants
In the land of darkness
The warrior that was me
Grotesque glory
None will ever see them fall
And hunts and wars
Are like everlasting shadows

Where the winds cannot reach
The tyrant's might was born
And often I look back
With tears in my eyes
Grotesque glory
None will ever see them fall
And hunts and wars
Are like everlasting shadows..