The Watchtower
Encyclopedia
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom is an illustrated religious magazine
, published semi-monthly in 194 languages by Jehovah's Witnesses
via the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
and printed in various branch offices around the world. Along with its companion magazine, Awake!
, Jehovah's Witnesses distribute The Watchtower—Public Edition in their door-to-door ministry; The Watchtower—Study Edition is used at congregation meetings. The Watchtower—Public Edition is the most widely circulated magazine in the world, with an average print run of over 42,000,000 copies per month.
The publication was started by Charles Taze Russell
on July 1, 1879 under the title Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. According to its first issue, the magazine's purpose was to draw attention to Russell's belief that people of the time were "living "in the last days" "the day of the Lord"—"the end" of the Gospel age," and that "the dawn of the "new" age, are facts not only discernible by the close student of the Word, led by the spirit, but the outward signs recognizable by the world bear the same testimony."
In 1908 the name was changed to The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. In 1920, the Watch Tower Society reprinted all issues from 1879–1919 in seven volumes, known as the Watchtower Reprints, which have since been reprinted through the years by other groups. On 15 October 1931, the magazine was renamed The Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Presence, in January 1939, The Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Kingdom, and from March 1939 until the present, its full name has been The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom.
, which Jehovah's Witnesses believe is a real government that will soon replace all earthly governments. According to the magazine's mission statement, "The purpose of ... The Watchtower is to honor Jehovah
God
, the Supreme Ruler of the universe. Just as watchtowers in ancient times enabled a person to observe developments from afar, so this magazine shows us the significance of world events in the light of Bible
prophecies. It comforts people with the good news that God's Kingdom, which is a real government in heaven, will soon bring an end to all wickedness and transform the earth into a paradise. It promotes faith in Jesus Christ, who died so that we might gain everlasting life and who is now ruling as King of God's Kingdom."
prophecy, Christian
conduct and morals, as well as the history of religion and the Bible.
The Witnesses' worldwide "Field Service" report appeared each year in the January 1 issue of The Watchtower from 1882 until 2004, and in the February 1 issue from 2005 to 2007. As of 2008, the "Field Service" report does not appear in The Watchtower but continues to appear in the annual Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses., and on the official website
Previously, each issue of the Watchtower contained study articles and other regular features and was distributed to the general public. As of 2008, two editions of The Watchtower are produced each month. The issue dated the first of each month is offered to the general public as part of Jehovah's Witnesses door-to-door preaching. The issue dated the fifteenth of each month is a Study Edition, primarily for use at Jehovah's Witnesses' congregation meetings and is distributed only upon request.
Congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide discuss the same article each week at the Watchtower Study. In this meeting, each paragraph is read aloud by a designated reader, after which the conductor asks the question printed at the bottom of the page for that paragraph; members of the congregation are then called upon to answer the questions based on the printed information. They are encouraged to put the information in their own words and to "draw attention to scripture application, supporting arguments, or practical application of the material."
Many study articles in The Watchtower are based on outlines from discourses presented at District Conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Other regular sections of the Study Edition are:
The November issue of each year contains an article outlining the various ways that donations can be made to support the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses.
The monthly Public Edition has an average print run of about 42,000,000 copies, making it the magazine with the largest circulation in the world. The print run of the monthly Study Edition is not stated.
The magazine is distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses, who consider their preaching work to be a public service
. Witnesses commonly offer these magazines in the course of their house-to-house ministry. They are also distributed by approaching people in public places, or given informally to doctors, academics, politicians and acquaintances. The Watchtower may also be seen left as reading material in public places, including bus terminals, or laundromats. The Watch Tower Society advises against distribution practices such as mailbox drops and placing large stacks in public places, which they consider to be less effective methods of arousing interest compared to personal presentation of the literature.
include:
ruled that sales of religious literature were subject to taxation, which introduced ambiguity into the formerly tax-free practice of suggesting a specific amount in exchange for the magazines. The Watch Tower Society filed an amicus curiae
("friend of the court") brief arguing that the perceived sale of religious literature should be exempt from taxation.
From March 1, 1990, the journals were made available at no cost, on a freewill donation basis in the United States, with the stated purpose of simplifying their Bible educational work and distinguishing themselves from those who commercialize religion. The article "Use Our Literature Wisely", which appeared in the May 1990 issue of Our Kingdom Ministry, stated that "there are growing pressures against all religious elements" and went on to say that their main concern was to move ahead in the worldwide preaching work, "without hindrance."
The sale of Jehovah's Witnesses' literature was gradually phased out in other countries, and The Watchtower has been distributed free of charge worldwide since January 2000, its printing being funded by voluntary donations from Jehovah's Witnesses and members of the public.
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
, published semi-monthly in 194 languages by Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. The religion reports worldwide membership of over 7 million adherents involved in evangelism, convention attendance of over 12 million, and annual...
via the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is a non-stock, not-for-profit organization headquartered in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, United States. It is the main legal entity used worldwide by Jehovah's Witnesses to direct, administer and develop doctrines for the religion...
and printed in various branch offices around the world. Along with its companion magazine, Awake!
Awake!
Awake! is a monthly illustrated magazine published by Jehovah's Witnesses via the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and printed in various branch offices around the world. It is considered to be a companion magazine of The Watchtower, and is distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses in...
, Jehovah's Witnesses distribute The Watchtower—Public Edition in their door-to-door ministry; The Watchtower—Study Edition is used at congregation meetings. The Watchtower—Public Edition is the most widely circulated magazine in the world, with an average print run of over 42,000,000 copies per month.
History
Charles Taze Russell
Charles Taze Russell , or Pastor Russell, was a prominent early 20th century Christian restorationist minister from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, and founder of what is now known as the Bible Student movement, from which Jehovah's Witnesses and numerous independent Bible Student groups emerged...
on July 1, 1879 under the title Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. According to its first issue, the magazine's purpose was to draw attention to Russell's belief that people of the time were "living "in the last days" "the day of the Lord"—"the end" of the Gospel age," and that "the dawn of the "new" age, are facts not only discernible by the close student of the Word, led by the spirit, but the outward signs recognizable by the world bear the same testimony."
In 1908 the name was changed to The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. In 1920, the Watch Tower Society reprinted all issues from 1879–1919 in seven volumes, known as the Watchtower Reprints, which have since been reprinted through the years by other groups. On 15 October 1931, the magazine was renamed The Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Presence, in January 1939, The Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Kingdom, and from March 1939 until the present, its full name has been The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom.
Purpose
The stated purpose of The Watchtower, as suggested by its subtitle, Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom, is to draw attention to the kingdom of GodKingdom of God
The Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven is a foundational concept in the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.The term "Kingdom of God" is found in all four canonical gospels and in the Pauline epistles...
, which Jehovah's Witnesses believe is a real government that will soon replace all earthly governments. According to the magazine's mission statement, "The purpose of ... The Watchtower is to honor Jehovah
Jehovah
Jehovah is an anglicized representation of Hebrew , a vocalization of the Tetragrammaton , the proper name of the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible....
God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, the Supreme Ruler of the universe. Just as watchtowers in ancient times enabled a person to observe developments from afar, so this magazine shows us the significance of world events in the light of Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
prophecies. It comforts people with the good news that God's Kingdom, which is a real government in heaven, will soon bring an end to all wickedness and transform the earth into a paradise. It promotes faith in Jesus Christ, who died so that we might gain everlasting life and who is now ruling as King of God's Kingdom."
Content
The Watchtower is the primary means of disseminating the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses, and includes articles relating to BibleBible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
prophecy, Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
conduct and morals, as well as the history of religion and the Bible.
The Witnesses' worldwide "Field Service" report appeared each year in the January 1 issue of The Watchtower from 1882 until 2004, and in the February 1 issue from 2005 to 2007. As of 2008, the "Field Service" report does not appear in The Watchtower but continues to appear in the annual Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses., and on the official website
Previously, each issue of the Watchtower contained study articles and other regular features and was distributed to the general public. As of 2008, two editions of The Watchtower are produced each month. The issue dated the first of each month is offered to the general public as part of Jehovah's Witnesses door-to-door preaching. The issue dated the fifteenth of each month is a Study Edition, primarily for use at Jehovah's Witnesses' congregation meetings and is distributed only upon request.
Public Edition
The Public Edition of The Watchtower contains biblical articles relating to a monthly theme shown on the cover. Other regular sections are:- Did You Know?, a consideration of questions relating to specific biblical accounts;
- Our Readers Ask, a consideration of beliefs specific to Jehovah's Witnesses;
- Draw Close to God, an article about an aspect of God's personality;
- Would You Welcome a Visit?, a request to solicit a visit from Jehovah's Witnesses;
- The Bible Changes Lives, a couple of brief life stories of Jehovah's Witnesses with a down point in life the Bible changed;
- For Our Young People (four times each year, from Jan. 2012), an exercise for children to answer questions about a biblical account based on illustrations and cited scriptures;
- My Bible Lessons (four times each year, from Feb. 2012), a series for parants to use with children three years old and younger in teaching Bible ideas;
- Teach Your Children (four times each year, from March 2012), a moral lesson for children based on a specific Bible character;
- A Letter From... (four times each year), a first-person account from a Jehovah's Witness in a specific country;
- Imitate their Faith (four times each year), an article about a Bible character;
- Keys to Family Happiness (four times each year), advice on how to deal with family problems;
- Life Story (four times each year), a first person account of a long-term member of Jehovah's Witnesses;
- What We Learn From Jesus... (four times each year), a collection of questions suggesting how a chosen theme relates to JesusJesusJesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
.
Study Edition
The Study Edition contains study articles written for the Watchtower Study, as well as other intra-organizational information directed to current and prospective members.Congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide discuss the same article each week at the Watchtower Study. In this meeting, each paragraph is read aloud by a designated reader, after which the conductor asks the question printed at the bottom of the page for that paragraph; members of the congregation are then called upon to answer the questions based on the printed information. They are encouraged to put the information in their own words and to "draw attention to scripture application, supporting arguments, or practical application of the material."
Many study articles in The Watchtower are based on outlines from discourses presented at District Conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Other regular sections of the Study Edition are:
- Cover art, (monthly, from January 2012) an artist's rendition of a photograph of Jehovah's Witnesses preaching, with the original photogragh and facts of the preaching work in the nation depicted on page 2;
- From Our Archives (monthly, from January 2012), an article about the organization's history;
- Questions From Readers (bi-monthly), a consideration of a doctrinal question based on a specific scripture;
- Do You Remember? (three times each year), a brief summary of points from recent issues of the magazine.
The November issue of each year contains an article outlining the various ways that donations can be made to support the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Authorship
The Writing Committee of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses oversees the research, editing, and development of the articles. The articles are mostly contributed by writing committees from worldwide branch offices, which are then checked by editors and translated into the languages of publication; all involved are volunteers. Women are permitted to write articles that are not of a spiritual nature. The names of the authors (except in first-person life stories), and other publishing staff are never included in the magazine. All articles are produced under the authority of the Governing Body; the content is therefore considered the official position of the organization. The Watchtower is published in 194 languages.Distribution
Since the first issue of The Watchtower in 1879, with 6,000 copies printed, circulation of The Watchtower continued to increase, and the magazine has not missed an issue. The magazine is printed in nineteen different countries; about 25% of the total is printed at one of the organization's printeries in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The monthly Public Edition has an average print run of about 42,000,000 copies, making it the magazine with the largest circulation in the world. The print run of the monthly Study Edition is not stated.
The magazine is distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses, who consider their preaching work to be a public service
Common good
The common good is a term that can refer to several different concepts. In the popular meaning, the common good describes a specific "good" that is shared and beneficial for all members of a given community...
. Witnesses commonly offer these magazines in the course of their house-to-house ministry. They are also distributed by approaching people in public places, or given informally to doctors, academics, politicians and acquaintances. The Watchtower may also be seen left as reading material in public places, including bus terminals, or laundromats. The Watch Tower Society advises against distribution practices such as mailbox drops and placing large stacks in public places, which they consider to be less effective methods of arousing interest compared to personal presentation of the literature.
Accessibility
In addition to printed editions, The Watchtower has been published in other forms. Since 1997, Jehovah's Witnesses' official web sites have carried articles formatted for the Internet, and began hosting digital downloads in 2008. Specific accessibility effortsAccessible publishing
Accessible publishing is an approach to publishing and reading whereby books and other texts aren't only available in one standard format. Other formats that have been developed to aid different people to read include varieties of larger fonts, specialised fonts for certain kinds of reading...
include:
- Braille: In 1976, The Watchtower became available in Grade II English BrailleBrailleThe Braille system is a method that is widely used by blind people to read and write, and was the first digital form of writing.Braille was devised in 1825 by Louis Braille, a blind Frenchman. Each Braille character, or cell, is made up of six dot positions, arranged in a rectangle containing two...
. - Audio: In 1988, articles from The Watchtower were recorded on audio cassette, and later on audio CDCompact DiscThe Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
; audio cassettes are no longer produced. From 2004 until 2009, The Watchtower was released on CD in MP3MP3MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
format; digital files are now available for download in MP3MP3MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
and AACAdvanced Audio CodingAdvanced Audio Coding is a standardized, lossy compression and encoding scheme for digital audio. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves better sound quality than MP3 at similar bit rates....
/M4BMPEG-4 Part 14MPEG-4 Part 14 or MP4 is a multimedia container format standard specified as a part of MPEG-4. It is most commonly used to store digital video and digital audio streams, especially those defined by MPEG, but can also be used to store other data such as subtitles and still images...
formats. - Sign language: Since 2003, study articles have been released in American Sign LanguageAmerican Sign LanguageAmerican Sign Language, or ASL, for a time also called Ameslan, is the dominant sign language of Deaf Americans, including deaf communities in the United States, in the English-speaking parts of Canada, and in some regions of Mexico...
on videocassette. Since 2004 The Watchtower has been made available monthly in American Sign Language on DVD, and in other sign languages as the publishers consider practical. Sign language videos of selected past articles are available for download. - PDF: As of 2010, study articles from The Watchtower—Study Edition have been made available as PDFPortable Document FormatPortable Document Format is an open standard for document exchange. This file format, created by Adobe Systems in 1993, is used for representing documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems....
files. PDF files of the public edition of The Watchtower have been available for download since August 1, 2010, and the complete study edition is available as of the February 15, 2011 issue. - EPUB: As of the September 2011 issues, The Watchtower in English has been made available in EPUBEPUBEPUB is a free and open e-book standard by the International Digital Publishing Forum...
format. - Simplified English: As of the July 2011 issue, the The Watchtower—Study Edition will also be published in simplified English on a trial basis.
Cost
Until March 1990, The Watchtower and its companion Awake! were available for a small charge that varied over time and in different countries. For example, in the United States, the suggested donation per issue was $0.05 in 1950, gradually increasing to $0.25 in 1989. On January 17, 1990, the Supreme Court of the United StatesSupreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
ruled that sales of religious literature were subject to taxation, which introduced ambiguity into the formerly tax-free practice of suggesting a specific amount in exchange for the magazines. The Watch Tower Society filed an amicus curiae
Amicus curiae
An amicus curiae is someone, not a party to a case, who volunteers to offer information to assist a court in deciding a matter before it...
("friend of the court") brief arguing that the perceived sale of religious literature should be exempt from taxation.
From March 1, 1990, the journals were made available at no cost, on a freewill donation basis in the United States, with the stated purpose of simplifying their Bible educational work and distinguishing themselves from those who commercialize religion. The article "Use Our Literature Wisely", which appeared in the May 1990 issue of Our Kingdom Ministry, stated that "there are growing pressures against all religious elements" and went on to say that their main concern was to move ahead in the worldwide preaching work, "without hindrance."
The sale of Jehovah's Witnesses' literature was gradually phased out in other countries, and The Watchtower has been distributed free of charge worldwide since January 2000, its printing being funded by voluntary donations from Jehovah's Witnesses and members of the public.
See also
- Jehovah's Witnesses publicationsJehovah's Witnesses publicationsThe Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society produces a large amount of literature for use by Jehovah's Witnesses; their best known publications are the magazines, The Watchtower and Awake!. The Watchtower was first published by Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Bible Student movement, in 1879,...
- List of Watch Tower Society publications
- List of magazines by circulation
External links
- "Official Web Site of Jehovah's Witnesses": Watchtower.org Watchtower and Awake! articles adapted for the Internet
- "Worldwide Association of Jehovah's Witnesses": JW.org Official downloadable files of audio recordings, sign language videos, and PDFs of The Watchtower, Awake!, and other literature
- "Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site": JW-Media.org Press release that Watchtower translation efforts surpass 500 languages
- Watch Tower Reprints (1879–1916)