What did Russell and ibsa understand about 1914

To begin, most today think that Russell and the early Bible Students understood that Jesus would be enthroned as king in 1914. Because we now understand that we may think that has been the case from the days of Russell and IBSA. However, that is not the case.

In the Divine Purpose book page 52 we read...
"Pastor Russell was not to certain as to exactly what would take place in 1914."
Then on page 53 of the "Divine Purpose" book we find.
"So these early watchers were reasonably certain of some things that were due to take place when 1914 arrived. Exactly how the prophecies were to be fulfilled was not altogether clear, but evidences were increasing steadily that this was to be a marked date in earth's history."
So, Russell did not understand what would happen in 1914, but he did arrive at 1914 from Scripture. 
The "Divine Purpose" book page 47.
"The expanding organization and the nearness of 1914 kept Russell fully occupied during the first decade of this new century. He knew that what was represented by Jerusalem before 607 B.C. would be "trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled." This was Jesus' prophecy at Luke 21:24, He knew that this time of uninterrupted rule of Satan's nations was due to expire in 1914. Since 1877 the modern witnesses of Jehovah had been energetically publishing that this long period of 2,520 years of Gentile times was fast running out."
So Brother Russell did understand that 1914 was an important date in Scripture, but as to why, it eluded him. His only conclusion was that the gathering work of the Lord's Bride class had started in 1874 and all were going to heaven in 1914. 
So Russell focused his attention on the preaching work, to attempt to gather as many of the bride class as possible. Notice the "Divine Purpose" book page 23.
"First of all, Pastor Russell and those associated with him believed Christ's invisible presence in spirit form had already begun in 1874. They realized Christ's main work at that time was to gather those that were his and to free them from the many contradictory teachings as to what the divine will was for them. They believed Christ's purpose in returning was to gather them together, restore the true worship and then, in 1914 at the end of "Gentile Times," take them into God's kingdom, just as a bridegroom would claim his bride. This meant that the first thing people must do was to forsake Christendom's apostate religion and learn the truth, then actively spread that truth to others."
Also take note from the "Divine Purpose" book page 55.
"Rev. Charles T. Russell is the man who has been propounding this interpretation of the Scriptures since 1874 In view of the strong Bible evidence," Rev. Russell wrote in 1889, "we consider it an established fact that the final end of the kingdoms of this world and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God will be accomplished by the end of A .D . 1914 ." . . .

So, Brother Russell did not understand that Jesus would be enthroned as king in 1914, but that he would take all the bride class up to heaven in a rapture, and that the gathering work of the remaining bride class started in 1874.
But there is an interesting statement Russell made in 1885. "Divine Purpose" book page 52.
"For instance, as early as 1885 Russell writes in the Watch Tower: Storm clouds are gathering thick over the old world. It looks as though a great European war is one of the possibilities of the near future."
He was applying that to 1914.

So Russell and the early Bible Students did not understand that 1914 would mean Jesus was enthroned as king, but that at that time all of the bride class would be taken to heaven. 
Was Russell surprised to learn in late 1914 he was still on Earth?
Another post.