Did Jesus Invisible Presence Start in 1914?

Jehovahs Witnesses teach that Jesus’ presence started in 1914 invisibly. Other than some “numerical gymnastics”, the organization has no real evidence that this is true. As far as the Bible is concerned, there are scriptures that tell us not to be concerned with constantly seeking a sign of the end or Jesus’arrival.

No one can know the date of Jesus’ arrival because Acts 1:6,7 says it is not for us to know. Jesus’ presence also cannot be invisible because it is written in Matt. 24:27 that his presence will be “as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over to the west.”

Jesus also said that there will be no signs and those that constantly looks for signs of the end times are wicked

You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but the signs of the times you cannot interpret. A wicked and adulterous generation keeps seeking a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Joʹnah.”

Matthew 16:3,4

Jehovah’s Witnesses would say “haven’t we seen the proof that Jesus has been invisibly reigning?

Jehovah’s Witnesses say that according to Matthew 24, wars, reports of wars, food shortages, and earthquakes are signs of the end and that Jesus is invisibly present. However, this statement does not align with the context of the scripture. So let’s look at the scripture as a whole

In answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads you,+ 5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.+ 6 You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must take place, but the end is not yet.+
7 “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom,+ and there will be food shortages+ and earthquakes in one place after another.+ 8 All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress.

Matthew 24:4-8

The first words out of Jesus’ mouth was a warning not to be misled! Jesus said many will come on the basis of his name. He then says that we are going to hear of wars and reports of wars and that we should not be alarmed, the end is not yet.

He then goes on to say that nations will rise up against each other and there will be famines and earthquakes but these are just the beginnings of pangs of distress.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses will tell you, “look! There are wars, there are famines and earthquakes, Jesus is here! This is proof that he is present!”

But that is not what Jesus said. He said those exact words will be used by false teachers and they will lead people astray. This is a fear-based tactic that has been used by Jehovah’s Witnesses since their early days.

Is Jesus’ Presence Going to be Invisible as Taught by the Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus has been invisibly present since 1914 and that he is directing the organization, but let’s look at what the scriptures really say about Jesus’ presence.

23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. 25 Look! I have forewarned you. 26 Therefore, if people say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over to the west, so the presence of the Son of man will be.

Matthew 24:23-27

Instantly, we are warned. If anyone tells us that Christ is here, we are not to believe it. If anyone tells us that he is in the inner rooms, hidden from plain sight, (or invisible in the case of Jehovah’s Witnesses), we are not to believe them.

Jesus was clearly warning us about organizations like the Watchtower that claim they are here guide us on behalf of Jesus while he is invisibly present.


Here’s an analogy that helped me…

Imagine a Father dropping his child off at school. When he walks his child to the school gates, he says “I have to leave you now, but after school, I will be here to fetch you in person. I will not send anyone else. If someone else comes to pick you up, telling you that I am sitting in his car, or that I am running late, or any other crafty reason, do not believe them”

A person who may be trying to deceive the child during the father’s absence might have some convincing reason to be there on behalf of the father in the same way that an organization might “perform great signs and wonders” that seem very convincing, but we have been warned not to trust them. Trusting them will only lead to very serious consequences for us.

Jesus gave us a similar warning, and it is for our own good. Ignoring this can result in our injury in the same way that a child could be kidnapped or worse!


Jesus drove the point home what he said in his own words that his presence would be as obvious as a bolt of lightning flashing over from the east to the west. Lightning is incredibly loud and bright. In fact, it is so powerful that its shockwave can be felt if it strikes anywhere within a few kilometers of where you are standing, even if you’re deaf and blind.

Jesus did not use this example without reason. He was saying that his presence would not be in secret, or invisible, or that his presence would only be known through an organization or a select few.

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