Before (1988), during (1991 Awake! series, in descriptive terms) and after (2012, 2013) the NGO association, Watch Tower publications taught that the United Nations is the 'scarlet-colored wild beast' / 'image of the wild beast' of Revelation 17 and the 'disgusting thing' of Matthew 24:15 that God will destroy.
Claim ID claim-authority-un-identified-as-wild-beast-before-during-and-after-associationConcerns 1988Context
The organisation’s position or later explanation: The 1 Nov 2001 branch letter says NGO registration papers 'contain no statements that conflict with our Christian beliefs'.
1988 · pp.246-250 · par. 6 (p. 248) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The scarlet-colored wild beast did indeed climb out of the abyss. On June 26, 1945, with noisy fanfare in San Francisco, U.S.A., 50 nations voted to accept the Charter of the United Nations organization.”
Identifies the UN as the revived 'scarlet-colored wild beast' of Revelation 17; par. 8 says 'The UN does not have the answers'.
1988 · pp.251-258 · par. 10 (p. 254) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“Thus, the United Nations today is designed to look like a world government. … But it is only the image of a king.”
Discusses the scarlet-coloured wild beast as 'an eighth king' and the Anglo-American power as 'the major promoter and financial support of the United Nations'.
8 September 1991 · pp.8-10 · final paragraph (p. 10) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“The Bible clearly paints a picture showing that the United Nations will very shortly be given power and authority. The UN will then do some very astonishing things that may well amaze you. And you will be thrilled to learn that there is yet a better way near at hand”
Third article of a cover series on the UN ('What Is Happening at the United Nations?', 'Why the Need for a League Arose', 'The United Nations—A Better Way?') published in the year the NGO application was lodged. Tone is descriptive, quoting the UN Secretary-General and US Secretary of State; it does not use 'wild beast' language.
Provenance and verification note for Awake!, The United Nations—A Better Way?
Confidence note. Opened the WOL document; page marker confirms p. 10.
Notes. Discovery sources describe this series as the kind of material that could satisfy DPI's information-programme criterion; that inference is not documented and is recorded as unverified.
Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID.src-g-1991-0908-united-nations-better-way
15 June 2012 · pp.14-18 · par. 13 (p. 17); par. 17 (p. 18) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“During that war, God’s people declared that according to the prophecy in Revelation, the image of the wild beast would ascend again. And rise it did—as the United Nations. [par. 13] … Soon Jehovah will cause the political elements of Satan’s system, as represented by the United Nations, to attack false religion. [par. 17]”
Shows the identification of the UN with the 'image of the wild beast' continuing eleven years after the NGO association ended.
15 July 2013 · pp.3-8 · par. 6 (p. 4) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
“In the larger fulfillment, the “standing” will occur when the United Nations (the modern-day “disgusting thing”) attacks Christendom (which is holy in the eyes of nominal Christians) and the rest of Babylon the Great.”
Same issue as the article redefining the faithful slave. Identifies the UN as the 'disgusting thing that causes desolation' of Matthew 24:15.
A direct link to this claim is https://jwtruth.org/evidence/claim-authority-un-identified-as-wild-beast-before-during-and-after-association/. Every source above opens the original document or the best available copy. If you believe the wording, date or context is wrong, report an error.