We’re taking a break from posting David Henke’s excellent e-letters, to bring you a news item that is at once old, however, we suspect, very new to our readers.

These sources were sent to me recently and I found them worthy of posting.

Did you know that the Watchtower used to teach that Jehovah’s throne was located in the star system Pleiades, and more specifically on the star Alcyone:

And if we go back to the date which the Pyramid [‘The Great Pyramid of Jeezeh’ in Egypt (found just prior to the title page in the book cited) which this writer understands is the great pyramid at Giza just outside of Cairo] gives itself, and look for what that finger pointed to at midnight, we find a far sublimer indication. Science has at last discovered that the sun is not a dead center, with planets wheeling about it, but itself stationary. It is now ascertained that the sun also is in motion, carrying with it its splendid retinue of comets, planets, its satellites and theirs, around some other and vastly mightier center. Astronomers are not yet fully agreed as to what or where that center is. Some, however, believe that they have found the directon [sic] of it to be the Pleiades, and particularly Alcyone, the central one of the renowned Pleiadic stars. To the distinguished German astronomer, Prof. J. H. Maedler, belongs the honor of having made this discovery. Alcyone, then, as far as science has been able to perceive, would seem to be ‘the midnight throne’ in which the whole system of gravitation has its central seat, and from which the Almighty governs his universe. 

Thy Kingdom Come, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. III, 1891 (first edition), Chapter X, p. 327 [archive.org] (Bold is as in found copied quote; Make Sure Ministries’ library has the 400,000 edition, 1907, copyright 1891 with this exact quote; photocopies upon request)

The next quote comes from a 1915 Watchtower and supports the concept that Jehovah’s throne is on Alcyone:

‘Hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven’ (2 Chron. 6:21); and that it is the place to which Job referred when under inspiration he wrote: ‘Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?’–Job 38:31. 

The Watchtower, June 15, p. 185

The Watchtower Society publication, Reconciliation, is then cited to say essentially the same thing, adding:

The constellation of the Pleiades is a small one compared with others which scientific instruments disclose to the wondering eyes of man. But the greatness in size of other stars or planets is small when compared with the Pleiades in importance, because the Pleiades is the place of the eternal throne of God.”

Reconciliation, page 14 + Cover (Bold in copied quote)

In 1953, a Question from Readers was posed in a 1953 Watchtower:

• What is meant by ‘binding the sweet influences of the Pleiades’ or ‘loosing the bands of Orion’ or ‘bringing forth Mazzaroth in his seasons’ or ‘guiding Arcturus with his sons,’ as mentioned at Job 38:31, 32?-W. S., New York. 

Some attribute striking qualities to these constellations or star groups and on the basis of such they then offer private interpretations of Job 38:31, 32 that amaze their hearers. Their views are not always sound from the standpoint of astronomy, and when viewed Scripturally they are completely without foundation. Why? Because we do not know which stars or groups of stars are being referred to in these verses. The names Pleiades, Orion and Arcturus are not the names given in the Bible. Some translations make Mazzaroth refer to the signs of the Zodiac. English translators have merely adopted these pagan names given to constellations or star groups and have inserted them in their translations in the place of the original names that appear in the Hebrew Scriptures, namely, Kimah, Kesil, Mazzaroth and ‘Ayish. To just what stars or star groups these names refer we do not know today. Hence it is useless to indulge in unprofitable speculations. Incidentally, Pleiades can no longer be considered the center of the universe and it would be unwise for us to try to fix God’s throne as being at a particular spot in the universe. Were we to think of the Pleiades as his throne we might improperly view with special veneration that cluster of stars.-Deut. 4:19; 2 Chron. 2:6; 6:18.

The Watchtower, November 15 1953, page 703 + Cover

Looking at the above answer from the Watchtower in Questions from Readers, note the following:

“Some attribute” (line 1) … “private interpretations of Job 38:31, 32 that amaze their hearers.” (line 2) From the first three Watchtower quotes above, who are “some”??? The Watchtower Society.

“Their views are not always sound from the standpoint of astronomy, and when viewed Scripturally they are completely without foundation. (lines 2 & 3) … The names Pleaides, Orion … are not names given in the Bible.” (lines 4 & 5) To whom are “their views” referring? Why, the Watchtower Society of course.

“Hence it is useless to indulge in unprofitable speculations.” (line 9) It is–and should have been all along.

In conclusion, “it would be unwise for us to try to fix God’s throne as being at a particular spot in the universe. Were we to think of the Pleiades as his throne we might improperly view with special veneration that cluster of stars.-Deut. 4:19; 2 Chron. 2:6; 6:18.” Do ya think?!

As the sun rises and the light becomes brighter and brighter, has your furniture been rearranged, or do you just see it more clearly so you won’t trip?