The Watchtower Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
- This article is about the magazine. For information on watchtowers, see Fortification.
The inside of the cover page of each magazine has its own explanation: "The purpose of the Watchtower is to exalt Jehovah God as Sovereign Lord of the Universe. It keeps watch on world events as these fulfill Bible prophecy. It comforts all peoples with the good news that God's Kingdom will soon destroy those who oppress thier fellowman and that it will turn the earth into a paradise. It encourages faith in God's now-reigning King, Jesus Christ, whose shed blood opens the way for mankind to gain eternal life. The Watchtower, published by Jehovah's Witnesses continuously since 1879, is nonpolitical. It adheres to the Bible as its authority."
Its publication began in 1879. It was called by its full name Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. In 1909 the name was changed to The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. Later on, in October 1939, it was renamed The Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Presence, and, from March 1940 until now, its full name has been The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom. Its purpose is to exalt Jehovah God as Sovereign Lord of the universe. It encourages faith in Jesus Christ.
Today it has 32 pages and is published in 148 languages. The magazine usually includes topics such as Bible prophecy, Christian conduct and morals, as well as the history of religion and the Bible.
Each issue contains two or three study articles that are discussed at congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the world. Simultaneous printing in the vast majority of languages in which The Watchtower is published makes it possible for virtually all of the Jehovah's Witness communities throughout the earth to discuss the same information each week.
With an average printing of twenty-five million copies, The Watchtower is according to the Guinness Book of Records the most widely circulated religious magazine in the world.
Over the years, Jehovah's Witnesses have added a variety of editions of the magazine, with a view to making it available to a wider public. In 1976, The Watchtower became available in Grade II English Braille. In 1988, it began to be produced on audiocassette for the benefit of the visually impaired as well as others who wished to listen to it. In 2003, a videocassette edition in American Sign language was produced, and this was extended to DVD in 2004. Additionally, 2004 saw the release of The Watchtower on compact disk (MP3 format).
The Watchtower, along with its companion magazine Awake, was sold in the United States until March 1, 1990, when the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that religious literature being sold was subject to taxation. In the United States, distribution of Jehovah's Witnesses literature was at that time switched to a voluntary donation system. The sale of the magazines, and all Jehovah's Witnesses literature, continued around the world until the early 2000s. "Pioneers" paid a lower price for the magazines, which are then resold, with the individual evangelist keeping the profit. This was intended to help defray the cost of their volunteer evangelizing work and not considered a money-making venture.
Perhaps in order to reach distribution quotas [1], some members "dump" large quantities of these magazines in public places, including bus terminals, and laundromats. [1]
The Watchtower is now distributed free of charge everywhere, although voluntary donations are accepted to support the worldwide Bible educational work.
This is an Article on The Watchtower. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About The Watchtower