Mark Twain once said, “The report of my death was an exaggeration.” The same can be said of the association of International Bible Students. It has often been reported that we died off back in the days of J.F. Rutherford. Actually, we have existed continuously since the days of Brother Charles Taze Russell to the present.
Find the IBSA (International Bible Students Association) website by clicking here:
In Brother Russell’s day, the IBSA was a cooperative association of Bible Student congregations worldwide, all united by their love for Jehovah, Jesus, and the Truth. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society was merely a publishing house and lecture service, with NO central control over these thousands of associated, but independent congregations worldwide. In those early days, full Christian liberty was encouraged for each brother and sister to study and determine the Truth form themselves. Guided by the Holy Spirit, these independent congregations, worked together cooperatively under the loving and gentle leadership of Brother Russell.
After the death of Brother Russell in 1916, J.F. Rutherford took control of the WBTS, contrary to the instructions in Brother Russell’s Will and the Watchtower Bylaws. By 1931 J.F. Rutherford had fundamentally transformed the WBTS into an authoritative theocratic organization. J.F. Rutherford renamed the group from Bible Students to “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” in order to distinguish itself from the various groups formed by the 75% of original Bible Students no longer associated with the WBTS. Hundreds of these Bible Student congregations worldwide have continued to the present, thus constituting a continuation of the original IBSA.
The International Bible Students have always been actively engaged in witnessing the Truth to the world and our beliefs remain unchanged since the days of Brother Russell. We continue to treasure the Studies in the Scriptures, early Watchtowers and other writings of Brother Russell. We believe that the light continues to shine brighter (clearer), but that it never changes. If we agree that the Truth has changed, then it never was the Truth in the first place.
To find out more about the early history of the Watchtower Bible Students, click here:
Dear brother
christian Greetings..
I am JebaKumar from Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement..Once I was in the Pentecostal systems 1988 -1998 after I known truths from Bible Students and no followers so i joined 2003-2017 to LHMM ..they BELIEVING HIGH CALLING CLOSED 1916 I TAUGHT this nearly 14 yrs.now i studied our Dear Pr Russels vol 2 Author forward,and 3rd and 19 13 reprints and 1914 reprints…I cleared now and enjoying this website I also teachings right to my brothers with me pray for us and support us volumes ..,
thanking you
M.JEBAKUMAR
312/23,LLIG,NH-1
THIRUNAVUKKARASAR St
MARAIMALAI NAGAR
KANCHEEPURAM DIST-603209
T N,S.INDIA
9094031809=CELL NO
mjebakumar99@gmail.com
Hello our brother, we have your information and it will be passed on to the proper brothers to help you. The Laymens have helped quite a few persons to find some truth when they left the witnesses.
Were you ever a Jehovah witness? If so can you tell us your journey? I will pass on this info but also we now have the opportunity to talk to you on Saturday 3 times (In some countries the Australia internet connection is Friday night, ie United States)
Good evening,
I am very familiar with the Laymens Literature. Would you ever consider the possibility that the High Calling is still open?
Dear brother..,I wasted my life 14 yrs in Laymens…still high calling is open..when the gate is close once the world come in to the end..,Pr,Jhonson said youthful worthies 1984-1954..,then other bro Jolly(1954-94) consecrated Ephiphany campers..Golki Bro…expand it Quasi elect…these all callings not says our Pr.Russel not only that there is no scripture prove this..not in a divine plan in the MAP.., Tabernackle Shadow…So carefully study their 17 volumes
Why the “DAWN” is not included into the bible students’ links that you have here?
Various articles link to Dawn BS. One example is in right panel under audio, click on Frank and Earnest. There is now also a link under Bible Student websites.
Anonymous;
Thats funny you asked that question but I have asked the same thing. It is my understanding that many in the Bible Student community have issues with the dawn because of a book they Dawn published Oh, the Blessedness; a small booklet which rejected many of Russell’s views on Bible prophecy and end times.
Bret, I have heard this from some xjw and it could have merit but I actually sit with members of the Dawn. Talk, eat, socialize, hug, attend their huge General convention. As an actual outside eye for witnesses I see these brothers get along just fine. Unlike witnesses they don’t make it a big issue by talking dissent. It is okay to have various thoughts. This seems to be foreign to us as xjw and we think this is an issue. The Bible students don’t. They still meet together in conventions and many work at Dawn from time to time to help out. They send names etc directly to the administration of this site of xjw and others that needs to be called on. We all work together to get the work done.
We will add Dawn and any other Bible student websites. They are lots of Big bible student websites that aren’t listed. Not just Dawn. Our Northwest Indiana site where I live isn’t listed. The San Diego site with it conventions is not listed but if you go to Bibleresources app or website you will see all their talks uploaded. Brothers that are at Dawn and from all over. Pull that site up and check it out.
Come join the convention in July and see brothers from Dawn and all over love, respect, eat and meet together.
Unlike witnesses the Bible Students don’t make or attempt to force everybody to believe every word as the other. No man group or book but the Bible is to be held as infallible truth. You should attend some of the conventions and meet. Touch and see the facees of these brothers.
I did it. I have attended conventions wher I have driven 22 hours to get there. I wanted to see and touch brothers from all over with various thoughts. The internet doesn’t give you that feel. Take Care.
Jacquline;
Thanks for the invite and I do hope to attend one of the conventions this year and I actually have my eye set on the LA Ecclesia convention this coming year.
Any Bible reader and student realizes that even in the early 1st century there were at times disagreement among the brothers…. I never pay much mind to this but I did wonder why the Dawn site was not listed when I first found this site and to see that there was an affiliation with the Chicago Bible Students I wondered if this was due to what I have been told… If you looked up the Dawn Bible students on wikipedia you will see this mentioned as well…
As far as the JW Organization or exjw’s I have never heard this mentioned among them I have only seen this mentioned among Bible students and one of them worked at the Dawn for some time….
Bret I actually found the 1st Bible student convention in Chicago by going to the Dawn website. Dawn was mentioned in a conversation I had with Sis. Beard on a stormy winter night when I dialed 1800divine plan. We got cut off and I didn’t know what I had dialed and she later told me she waited for me to call back after 4hrs of talking. I remembered the words Dawn from this Chicago Bible student. I found the site called them and saw there was a convention the next day in Chicago on Jan. 1, 2010. The two worked together to help me.
I have seen on this site and answered XJW that have presented this as a problem. I actually live a few blocks from an xjw that says I am with the Dawn. I said okay but there are three BS within blocks and miles of you and you can come on with us. She later talked to someone at the Dawn and they said they weren’t aware I lived in that city because I once lived in Canada. She told me they knew me and that I had all the books she was ordering. But she read wiki and thought Bible students are like the witnesses, she said, and thought she should shun any group but Dawn. So I have run into this only with xjw perhaps 20 or more times and I have to give them the link to the General convention to let them see all of the brothers give talks there, not just Dawn. I like that we can have a different viewpoint yet still associate as brothers or not if some choose to. Individually is how we have an approach to God through Christ not as to what ecclias we belong to if any. I only mention this because it comes up from time to time on this site or if they are reading wiki without actually speaking to or coming to a convention to see for themselves. Take Care.
Glory be to God!
Dear brethren,
My name is Omar Ndamutsa. I was born and raised in a Muslim family.When I was a student in the National University of Rwanda , I happened to attend evangelistic meetings for a couple of days. Since then the idea of becoming a Christian started haunting me but finally faded away because of what I was seeing done by so called Christians especially church leaders. Recently I came across website and I was stirred and uplifted by online literature. I contacted them and they sent me a copy of the book entitled “ How to study the Bible and have it make sense” and they connected me to another friend here in Rwanda who gave me a set of 53 subjects, last week we had a three-day seminar which edified me so much. So now I am a Bible student.
In the seminar, brothers told me that there are books that can help me grow in faith (the most holy faith) like: The Divine Plan of the Age, The Expanded Biblical Comments, Studies in the Scriptures ect. But they recommended me The Expanded Biblical Comments because this book will help me understand the Bible.
So, I would like to know how I can find these books especially the one they recommended me.
In fact, I am a secondary teacher of English and General Paper. The latter subject matter has a chapter that deals with Values and Principles of a Purpose Driven Youth. To teach that course, I am allowed to use any resources provided I do not stray from the context. I have then decided to use the Holy Bible. This will enable me to conduct my lessons effectively in two ways: morally and spiritually both for me and my students and I am deadly serious. Another thing is that I would like to be an evangelist to young Muslims on a voluntary basis. So you understand that I need to be fully equipped spiritually in the matter so that people will receive the message.
As we do not have the Internet on a regular basis, the following postal address would be important for our communication.
Omar B. NDAMUTSA
Ecole des Sciences de Gisenyi
P O BOX 126 Gisenyi
Rubavu RWANDA
Cell phone +250 788 850 254
May God continue to bless you as you devote yourselves to minister to us.
I am looking forward to working closely with you.
Sincerely,
Omar Ndamutsa
Sir,
Greetings the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am from
Bangladesh in Asia and I am a converted christian from the Muslim
background. I have taken my baptism on 24/06/2007. After 2nd birth I
have gotten some pastoral training in my country. Now I am a pastor
and preaching to the Muslim community. You know in Bangladesh 87%
people are Muslim and it is really risk to preaching here. But I
follow my Lord Jesus word- (Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded
you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20)
My vision is “To Preach the Educated Persons”.
In this time I have preached many educated persons and students. And
many educated persons are believer now and they took also baptism.
Now I want to send them to take theological education for building
them spiritually and enrich my ministry and our christian society in
Bangladesh.
So please give me a suggestion (1) Where can I send them? (2) How can
I send them?
(3) How can you help me?
Thanking you in anticipation.
May God bless you.
Yours became in Christ.
Pastor Mostafa Kamal
Founder of Dynamic Church
Village- Samsabad, Post- Kotowalibag,
P.S.- Panchbibi, Dist.- Joypurhat.
Division- Rajshahi, BANGLADESH.
Mobile No : +880 1911450131
Mostafa – I am working on contacting Bible Students in your area. It could take a few days, but I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Dear Bro. Peter K,
Greetings to you. I am Bro. Edward, Bible student from India. I have seen your reply to Mr. Mostafa Kamal from Bangladesh. Good, we are trying a lot to have a contact with Mr. Mostafa Kamal. But the contact details are not much as he provided only address and his phone number. Anyway we will try our best and will try to find him using his phone number. Lord bless. Bro. Edward.
Hello, i would like some information about the bible students. Can you tell me who to contact? Thank you
Tasha hello and welcome. We can answer your question here. But you can also speak to us by leaving your contact info on the contact tab. I can also email you a phone number.
Tell us a little about your journey if you are comfortable doing so.
Are you a witness now?
We have a convention coming up this weekend and you can tune in by computer. Jacqueline
Hello, for some reason under the contact section it would not let me send you a message. My husband and i are baptized witnesses, but we are not very regular at meetings or service. We both see serious flaws in some things we hear from stage and a lack of love that jesus taught. We dont believe in the shunning of family or anyone who needs help. Things get complicated because we have four children we have raised to believe that only witnesses have the truth. I dont know what to do.their ages are 17, 12, 9, and 7. Can someone contact me via email also? Thank you
Yes I will contact you now and give you my phone number.
Sr Jacqueline–I have also had problems with the contact page, you might want to get it checked out.
Ted I had you included on the emails. Br. Kris is working on all the issues including the Mconf.
Sister Jackie,Have you heard from Bro Kent Latley as I have not been able to reach him.? Do you know if he is away on Holidays or Sick?Christian Love,Kay & Richard.
Richard I will see if I can get in touch today with Kent and let him know.
Richard, I just spoke to Br. Kent in Sweden. He is on Holiday.
He has fixed the certificate for Mconf this morning. It should work for everyone now.
Perhaps you or Greg can open up and test the Mconf.
Did you get the email with my phone number Tasha? If so you call me when you can. Also if I don’t get to it in time leave a message or just text me it is you and I will call you right back. Loading family up to leave that visited me. They are still witnesses but we are working this out. Take care it is going to be okay. In Christ.
Thank you, i got it. I will call as soon as i get a moment
Greetings to you and your husband and family, Tasha.
You are very welcome here! I know it’s probably pretty scary for you right now. If you can, try and relax and breathe and maybe borrow some of our confidence.
I have 3 adult children. Like your children, they too were raised to believe JW’s were the only true religion. I well remember the anxiety my wife and I felt several years ago as we were coming to terms with “the truth about the truth (TTATT)” while we were leaving the JW’s. It’s hard, because as responsible parents we do care about their safety, and we don’t want them to come to harm because we maybe fail them somehow. And all my relatives are still die-hard JW’s. So it was pretty scary for us at times due to not having someone else to talk to for support.
This website, and the persons who contribute comments here have been an incredible blessing to us in helping to encourage and to patiently support us in our migration and escape. I’m very happy to report that all my children are doing much, much better now that we’ve been associating with the Bible students for a few years.
If you are willing and able to join us for our testimony meeting on Saturday nights, I’m sure you’d find it very comforting, reassuring, and supportive. All of us who are on it have been where you are and we vividly remember what it’s like to be at the cross-roads as you currently are. There’s no pressure to speak if you don’t want to; you can just listen. Or you can ask ALL the questions you can think of. That’s the whole purpose of the meeting–to help and to care and to support in whatever way is best for the persons attending. As one of meeting facilitators, I try to make sure that everyone feels safe, welcome, and comfortable.
OR, if you’re comfortable, you can always just test the waters by commenting and asking questions here for a bit.
Please be assured that you are among friends who understand and care. We’ve all been through it and we know how tough it is to come out of a place of fear and suddenly find one’s self in the “big scary world” of freedom in Christ and to be able to bask unhindered in Jehovah’s bountiful love.
Compassionately,
-greg
Thank you for your kind, encouraging words. I am thankful to have found this support network.
Hi Tasha
I was a witness for 50 years. I am not disfellowshipped. I left in heart a little over a year ago. My wife was raised a JW. Because of my illness, I have Parkinson’s disease, and my wifes anxiety and depression disorder, I am underground for the sake of my wife. She doesn’t know that I have left. I do not go in service or participate in the meetings when I go. My wife stays home from the meetings most of the time but she listens on phone tie in. Because of my Parkinson’s I have a reason to miss most meetings. We have a daughter married to a JW elder and a disfellowshipped son. Like you, I just cannot drink their cool-aid when it comes to shunning family, or anyone for that matter. I have seen too many people commit suicide because of the guilt trips and the loss of family that this unscriptural doctrine causes. My point in telling you this is that you are in like company. The Bible Students have all the good things Pastor Russell taught without the totalitarian teachings later brought in by Rutherford. You have friends here that you can count on. This is a great site. Just take things slow. Be cautious as serpents yet innocent as doves, as the scriptures tell us. We are glad to have you with us
Ted, thank you for the helpful advise. I am sorry to hear about you and your wife’s health struggles. We will be taking it slow and we are very private, causous people naturally. It is nice to have support from such kind, non-judgemental people.
Hello Tasha.MY Bretheren In the USA Have contacted you & will take care of you during this troublesome time.As a witness in Australia for 40 years + I went through every thing you are going through now.But it took me well over 10 years to realise that Bible Students do still exist.It was not untill 2010 that I was made aware of this fact via the Internet.I attended my first Bible Student convention in the same year,Consecrated my Life(Baptised) in 2013,& never Looked back since!We have many now in Australia who are leaving the Witnesses,& some are finding the bible students here & rededicating themselves to Jesus Christ,Not a man made Orginization.My wife & I have been to conventions of bible students In Poland,England & the USA.Let Jehovah,through his Son, the hope of mankind guide you in your Search for the TRUTH THAT SETS YOU FREE.Bro Richard
Thank you Richard, we now have some great contacts for support. 🙂
To Peter;
Wasn’t that year 1909? And were not vast preparations under way for the conversion of the heathen? If yes from what he said, did the Bible Students fail? I think some Bible Students feel there is no conversion of the heathen. And from the looks of it, even with the internet, C.T.R. had way more heathen reading his material back then.
Can you explain where his preparations have gone?
Thank you,
Henry
Henry – Thanks for a good question. C.T.R. never preached the conversion of the heathen until the future earthly kingdom arrives.
For example, in Volume 4, “The Battle of Armageddon” he discussed this verse.
Matt 24:14 “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” NASV95
He explained that verse 14 does not say world will be converted before the end comes, but that the gospel will be preached as a witness or testimony. It does not say the Gospel will be preached to each individual, but to all the nations.
He then referred to the fact that In 1861 the reports of the Bible Societies showed that the Gospel had been published in every language of earth… and verse 14 closes with “then the end will come.” (The “end” being the Harvest, which is the end of the (Gospel) age).
C.T.R. also in other places talked about how it was not the job of the Saints (spirit begotten, anointed) to convert the world. For example, in Matt 13: 10-11, the disciples asked him why he spoke to the people in parables, because the people were confused and did not understand. Jesus explained that, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.”
Also remember that Jesus told the Jews they must eat his flesh and drink his blood. By today’s standards, this was a terrible marketing campaign. John 6:66 (NASV) says, “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.” So Jesus was not trying to gain large numbers. Jesus was weeding out those who were interested in what they could get out of it. Jesus was interested in finding the few grains of wheat that would have potential for being His body members and share with him in the future work of being earths Judges, Priests and Kings; and of course then would be world conversion.
To Peter;
Was that everlasting truth? Or present truth?
“It is only to be expected that those who have come into the light of present truth.” Some where after R4303: Page 3
Henry
Henry – It is “Present Truth.” The last paragraph under the subhead, “A SUPPOSITIONARY CASE,” from the article is is quoted below with a link:
http://www.harvesttruthdatabase.com/htdbv6/r4303.htm
“These are our grounds for our great expectations in connection with the opening year. Additionally we might remark that it is only to be expected that those who have come into the light of Present Truth, and who have, as it were, been gathered as wheat from the tares, should begin to receive their threshing, to separate fully and completely the wheat from the chaff. So, then, while anticipating great progress for the Truth, we must also anticipate sore trials and, perhaps, disappointments, in respect to some of whom we had expected better things–even joint-heirship in the Kingdom.”
Dear Peter K
Hope this answers your questions, used Word this time and pasted it back
—The question is, what events are the 1260 years associated with? Can we agree that it would be the false religious system persecuting the true Saints?
Pretty well yes, but a more precise view might be Satan / demonic operating of the apostatised system to sift the followers of Christ as wheat. I feel wary of the true religion / false religion descriptions not that such use is wrong, but it may at times mislead, we were told that the wheat and weeds are all to grow together. It can give a false sense of security to build these “us&them-the bad guys”. The enemy may be closer, even a brother.
Matthew 24 v 15,16 may be a general awakening of Christendom to the Apostasy within and the flight might also be the same as Revelation 18 v 4. A flight that many may fail to undertake.
—If so, we should identify when that persecuting power began and ended (if ended). If not, then what do you think the 1260 year period is all about or to accomplish? Thanks. Peter K.
I would suggest Daniel 11 v 32 to 35 and Matthew 24 v 9 to 14 are the same period, that Daniel 11 v 31 is the ratifying into the Congregations of the Trinity with anathemas on all who disagree by the Third Council of Constantinople : 680-681 A. D.
I suggest the 1290 & 1335 start together, perhaps 45 years of fading of the power, I think the 2300 ends probably with the 1335 or shortly thereafter. I suggest the Daniel 8 v 12 removal of the constant feature was the removal of Jewish scriptural expertise to Alexandria, which resulted in the Greek Septuagint [the] text used by the earliest Christians [and Jews joining the Greek army]. These events are about the correct distance apart in time. [2300-1335=965]
http://yahweh-immanuel.info/daniel%20eleven%20hyperlinked.html
This is submitted as my James 1 v 5 to your Acts 17 v 11
Assuradly the Scripture will prove true but we must be careful in interpretation!
B
Reader – Thanks. I enjoyed reading your thoughts and our thinking is similar in many regards. I think that for most people, the idea the Jesus has returned and the 1260 days ended is impossible to even consider. So this line of thinking is generally never considered or vetted. After all, why isn’t God’s Kingdom here yet. The answer is that a careful and detailed study of the Bible shows that prophetic events often play out over decades and centuries, not the few days, months or years people expect. Hence there was great disappointment and confusion from most people at Jesus first advent when He did not immediately set up the kingdom.
I think the key with the 1260 days is that it covers the period of time when the Antichist system has persecuting power over the saints.
Dan 7:25 (NKJV), “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.” (3 1/2 times = 3 1/2 years = 1260 symbolic days = 1260 actual years)
Dan 12:7 (NAS), “it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power [to preach Truth] of the holy people, all these events will be completed.”
Rev 13 (NKJV), “5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty–two months. (42 mos = 1260 days = 1260 years) …
7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.”
So this Antichrist system had power to persecute the Saints for 1260 years. Has their power been broken? Of course. We can preach freely on the Internet, radio, door to door or wherever, without being thrown in jail, persecuted, tortured and killed. When did this end? Ended in 1799 when Napoleon took the Pope prisoner to France, where the Pope died. Papacy lost its civil authority and persecuting power in the French Revolution. Count back 1260 years and that takes you to 539, the year that the Eastern Roman Emperor appointed the Roman Bishop (Pope) as the Western Roman empires civil authority.
Yes, the Third Council of Constantinople : 680-681 A. D. was significant regarding doubling down on persecuting any who disagreed with the Trinity. However, I think what we want to look at is when the Church system had the Civil authority to control kings, civil government and thereby persecute the Saints.
– sorry there was a click and I pressume you have a part message already.
Anyway there is a Ships of Kittim event with an Arms event, followed shortly by an Apostatasy event;
The Second Council of Constantinople: 680-681 where the Trinity was ratified and all disenters anathematised
Done it again, upset by my multitasking, I think;
Third Council of Constantinople….[680-681ce]. Start 1290? & 1335 and Christendom power?
which would suggest 1335 is still running!
This would take the Kings of N & S into the end times for which times it is due to be understood. Daniel 12 v 9
Almost all our history books have misled us, few treat Byzantium as the Roman Empire, which it was.
Apoligies for the broken up reply.
B
Reader – The question is, what events are the 1260 years associated with? Can we agree that it would be the false religious system persecuting the true Saints? If so, we should identify when that persecuting power began and ended (if ended). If not, then what do you think the 1260 year period is all about or to accomplish? Thanks. Peter K.
Just had a look at your Daniel 11 kings north & south
There is a historical view problem in that the history of Islam is ignored in the west. Islam became king of South when it took Egypt.
http://yahweh-immanuel.info/joining%20the%20chain%20up.html#Ships
http://yahweh-immanuel.info/copyright.html
Constantinople was the Roman Capital of the Senior Emporer. It happened quite literally as Daniel was inspired to prophecy.
Reader – Thanks. I think Islam is referred to in Bible Prophecy in various places. This link gives an example: http://www.heraldmag.org/2006/06so_6.htm
I could not tell from your link where you see Islam in Daniel 11. If you could clarify, I would like to consider. Daniel 11 covers history beginning with Persia and continuing to the time of Napoleon. It’s focus at first relates to Gentile World Powers that ruled or dominated natural Israel (Persia, Greece & Rome), then the great pagan then Papal Antichrist system that persecuted the true church (considered heretics). The end of chapter 11 relates to the struggle between Great Britain and Napoleon’s French empire, which had destroyed the Papal systems persecuting power and well as taking away papacy’s power to crown kings. Constantinople was important in that when civil control had been destroyed in Rome due to the Barbarian attacks, in 539 AD, Justinian, emperor of Constantinople appointed the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) the civil authority in Rome. The Papacy had that civil authority for 1260 prophetic days (1260 years) from 539 AD to 1799 AD, when Napoleon took the pope prisoner to France, where the pope died.