The suggested answers provided to all questions below are based on and in harmony with the views of the original Watchtower Bible and Tract Society when under the guidance of Pastor Charles Taze Russell. Comments will often include a link to Pastor Russell’s own explanation. However, in any case, we leave your conclusions to your own personal study, prayer, conscience and the influence of the Holy Spirit.
- Who are the Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses who have created this website?
- Why have the Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses set up this site? What is your purpose?
- Should we really want to be on earth rather than heaven? Does the Bible give us that option?
- Are the Great Crowd the same as all the people in Paradise Earth?
- What is the role of the Great Crowd on Paradise Earth?
- Is the Great Crowd to be in heaven or on earth?
- Who are the “other sheep” of John 10:16?
- What happens to Anointed who do not make the 144,000
- As the Path Shines Brighter, does the Truth Change?
- Why does God Permit Evil and Human Suffering?
- What is the future mission of the Anointed for which they are now being prepared?
- Will Present Unbelievers Serve and Worship Jehovah on Paradise Earth?
- Will Everyone Be Resurrected from the Dead?
- Have People Received Final Judgment for the Past 6,000 or will they have an Opportunity for Judgment and Restitution on Paradise Earth?
- Will the wicked get an opportunity to repent in Paradise earth?
- Who will occupy the land of Israel in Paradise earth?
- Who does Jehovah make the New Covenant with?
- What prophecies regarding Israel’s regathering have already been or are being fulfilled?
This question was submitted on the contact form but no email was left for us to answer.
“What is the meaning of the Holy Spirit, and being born again?”
Let’s hear some thoughts if you like please.
HERALD MAGAZINE HAS THIS TO SAY:
https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/2011/09/02/everything-about-the-holy-spirit/
http://www.heraldmag.org/2005/05so_10.htm Explanation of difficult bible passages mentioning the Holy Spirit.
Hello ive been study with jw and became an unbaptized publisher i have stoppedvmeetings as some things dont make sense could any one tell me if the watchtower gets any financial benifits based on free feild service reports thank you
Hi curious, I answered you earlier here :https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/2014/01/21/should-the-governing-body-be-questioned-and-put-to-the-test/comment-page-3/#comment-800065
Now I sort of understand where you are coming from. If you get baptized after going in field service then the one conducting your study has brought in another person and the numbers go up. Witnesses take a count of number of people in field service and at meetings. We don’t have this organizational set up.
Tell us what things are not adding up with you and maybe we can help.
They don’t get money for your service time but it is a requirement to get you going door to door as it starts the indoctrination process. To habitually do something over and over again regardless of whether or not it is effective or if it is your choice to do it that way, it conditions you to obey.
BTW this is Jacqueline
Thanks Jaqueline and yes i do realize they dont actually measure spirituality by counting feild service but is definitely implied that if you love Jehovah you would certainly put in as many hours as possible now for the things that dont add up there are many from new light that makes old light error to the fact that i believe that Jesus’s gave his life for ALL men to the fact that i dont feel that God chose jw over Israel as his chosen peopleI dont believe the trinity is biblical and i certainly dont believein hell hence ecc 9v5 ect and i believe in a paradice earth so there’s some to start sorr so lengthy
Curious you sound like a Bible Student. I have the same beliefs and disbeliefs as you. Jesus died as a ransom for for All https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/category/ransom-answers/. This is why the Jehovah witnesses are against the Jews.
Letter to Hitler
Russell, founder of the Watchtower, was a Zionist and sympathetic to Jews as part of modern day fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Rutherford initially continued such support, but changed by the 1930’s to an anti-Semitic stance.
“Be it known once and for all that those profiteering, conscienceless, selfish men who call themselves Jews, and who control the greater portion of the finances of the world and the business of the world, will never be the rulers in this new earth. God would not risk such selfish men with such an important position” The Golden Age 1927 Feb 23 p.343
“The Jews were evicted from Palestine and ‘their house left unto them desolate’ because they rejected Christ Jesus, the beloved and anointed King of Jehovah. To this day the Jews have not repented of this wrongful act committed by their forefathers. … In 1917 the Balfour Declaration, sponsored by the heathen governments of Satan’s organization, came forth, recognized the Jews, and bestowed upon them great favors. … The Jews have received more attention at their hands than they really deserved.” Vindication – Book II (1932) pp.257-258
During the time of Rutherford, Witnesses became known as a religion of hate, due to the Watchtower’s tirade of insults against other Churches and governments. The Catholic Church come under the greatest condemnation and bought this to the attention of the Nazi government, petitioning against the Watchtower Society. In 1933, the Nazi government banned the Watchtower’s German operations.
“In June of the so-called “Holy Year” of 1933 Adolf Hitler’s regime seized the Watch Tower Society’s property in Magdeburg and banned the activities of Jehovah’s people in Germany as regards meetings and literature distribution, though the property was returned that October.” Yearbook 1975 p.174
Why was Rutherford and 7 elders lock up in prison in 1918 ?
Doug – Rutherford’s Volume 7, the “Finished Mystery” had some very inflammatory anti-war and anti-country statements. After Rutherford and the brothers were released from prison, a new edition of the “Finished Mystery” was released with the inflammatory statements removed and replaced with friendlier remarks.
Also, Rutherford’s Watchtower suddenly encouraged the brethren to invest in war bonds.
This all sounds like Rutherford made a deal with the government in return for a get out of jail free card.
Anna the reason I said thinking out loud is because I remember all the boastings of how great Rutherford’s new concepts were found to be by God in 1919.
This is not a LITTLE issue with the witnesses it is a HUGE issue that sets them apart. Any thinking person would wonder why wouldn’t God reveal this to them in 8 years if they are the only channel he speaks to. It would have been very simple. They make the great boasts not me of their supremacy.
The Watchtower has a veritable list of practices Jehovah’s Witnesses should not engage in and regularly invokes justification on the basis that these practices are of pagan origins. This reasoning is likewise extended to the rejection of doctrine. However, it does not follow that something is wrong because of pagan connections, as virtually every practice or belief can be traced back to a pagan counterpart. More relevant is what a practice means to current participants.
Because paganism is a poor line of reasoning, the Watchtower is contradictory in its application of this principle. For instance, some wedding practices are forbidden as pagan, yet others are not. Following are some practices where it the Watchtower says that being pagan is not important and yet others that are prohibited by invocation of the concept of being pagan.
So follow Barber, he says he brought this to everyone’s attention:
Yearbook 1975 p.147
“What caused the Bible Students to stop celebrating Christmas? Richard H. Barber gave this answer: “I was asked to give an hour talk over a [radio] hookup on the subject of Christmas. It was given December 12, 1928, and published in The Golden Age #241 and again a year later in #268. That talk pointed out the pagan origin of Christmas. After that, the brothers at Bethel never celebrated Christmas again.
Would they fight so hard to squish pedophilia in this religion or mistreatment of the flock as they fight hard against anything honoring Jesus. I will wait to see as it isn’t even a mention from their platforms .
Peter, you say you were never a Jehovah’s Witness. Did you start this site strictly to discuss what Bible Students believed, and then later, after maybe being acquainted with Jacqueline or others, decide to change it to ” friends of Jehovah’s Witnessess” for other reasons? Or was this page always a site strictly to appeal to those baptized witnesses exploring their faith or lack of faith, and also new ones just lbeginning to hear their teachings? I’m not judging, just curious because the name of this web page isn’t exactly geared to any other denomination who also might be exploring their faith, or again, lack of faith. The title is actually a little deceptive but cleverly so. Again, not judging, just curious because I see people on here who are genuinely searching for truth. I also see that there are those, like Anna, who as a Jehovah’s Witness still strongly believes in her faith and defends it. (good for those on here who are still deciding) And yet others who appear to lean to the left and also to the right. I won’t leave myself out of that equation either because as a student of the bible, (yes, studying with JW’s) I find myself on that same fence. Perhaps leaning more to the right, following Jehovah’s word, but not quite getting all off all the way. A dangerous place to be in my eyes as the owner of that fence is satan the devil. Anyway, could you give me a little background on how you started this site? And why, please? Thank you.
What happened to the “bible Students Forum” website that was run by “Rodriguez?
I will alert Br. Rodriguez to come on and answer tomorrow. Hello and welcome. We had a study tonight and maybe you can join us next Wednesday.
Greetings Ex:
The forum and website, which btw, was the first Bible Students website and forum on the net back in 1995, was put to pasture. After some 20 years, i thought it best to retire the site, especially now with all the various Bible Student ministries online, it wont be missed.
Thanks Jacqueline and “RR”,btw, I’m the same “EX JW” who used to be a member of your forum…I’m totally free fromthe JW’s now
I’m sure the Watchtower won’t miss it one bit old friend. There are a few who will, but you do what you have to do and please keep me posted. You should have my e-mail.
Hi Stanly L. my e-mail address is accoil48@yahoo.com
Rolie!
Welcome. Long time no see.
Thanks for getting the packages to Chuck. I was able to complete the delivery.
Hi everyone, when Jesus said to be no part of the world, what do you think he meant?
My view on this is that he meant not to pursue worldly things such as wealth & power, not to get involved politically regarding earthly govenments & wars. Not to get involved with any man-made religions, not to follow pagan customs but do not condemn those that do as this is not our place as Christians. Neither the son nor the father originate with the world so we too must not be part of it.
I do not believe that we should avoid people in the world or not associate with them to a degree for if it we cut ourselves off from them then how can we share with these ones the truth of the kingdom. Sometimes you have to gain person’s trust first before sharing the truth with them as it is more likely they will want to listen to you, I have experienced this myself.
Warm & loving regards,
Daz
Hi everyone, I hope you are all keeping well. This question may seem a little out of the ordinary but let explain first.
Since I have ceased attending the Jw meetings etc & have been studying independently & also studying with the help of this amazing site, something has beein happening almost every night I go to bed. As soon as the lights go out I am laying in my bed my head becomes full of scriptures, scriptual references & questions. It prevents me from falling asleep as I just cant seem to prevent it from happening & I will be tossing & turning for good few hours then I guess I must get mentally exhausted & eventually fall asleep. In the morning I am aware that this has happened during the night through to the early hours of the morning but can’t seem to recolect all the info that manifested within my mind during the night but I always wake up with the urge to learn & discover more about Jehovah & Jesus. I must say that this site has really helped give me some real positive direction where as before whilst involved in the Watchtower/Jw organization I was always left hungry for more knowledge & answers but also felt unworthy & lost.
Anyway my question is, has anyone else experienced this type of thing or something similar or does anyone know why it is happening to me?
Warm & loving regards,
Daz
Daz, an yet another experience like mine, I wondered without fear however but joy that I was CONSUMED with the word of God after getting with the Bible Students and doing my independent study, reading other holy writings etc. I was like an empty giant bowl
And now I am settled, aware of what was happening and accepting of what was occurring. With me it was the Holy Spirit of God being the Helper than Jesus promised to the disciples.
Once it began to work with you and in you, you can’t stop. Witnesses don’t believe in the workings of the spirit and Divine providence of God.
Ride it out with joy Daz and it will become clear. Talk to Jehovah about it, you will get an answer without a doubt and you will even out to a tolerable level with full assurance and joy.
How can two people have so similar an experience? I read Paul’s experiences.
Hi Jacqueline, thankyou so much for replying to my question . . . wow! I am gobsmacked right now! So you experienced this too?! I do not mean to question your knowledge on this so please forgive me for my humble ignorance but why would this happen to me, I do not understand why now? I have SO MUCH I must change within my life & certainly do not feel worthy enough to recieve any such gift from my father in heaven for I know I am a sinner although I do not mean a sinner as in an evil term, just an imperpect man who has a burning desire to always do what is right but unfortuanately I fall short. Why is it I cannot remember it all the next day, why does it seem to come in waves during a time when I should be sleeping? I think because I don’t remember it all the next day it drives me to research & learn more about the truth the following day, maybe? It’s all a little confusing at the moment BUT I know every day my eyes are being opened so wider & wider & I understand & accept so much more.
Warm & loving regards,
Daz
Daz – I have some nights too when my mind is racing and seeking answers to questions about scriptures, however usually I can calm down and get to sleep within an hour or two.
You asked, “why would this happen to me?”
Perhaps the Holy Spirit is working with you and inspiring you Daz.
John 6:44 NKJV
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…”
John 14:15-17 NKJV
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
Luke 11:13 NKJV
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Hi Peter, thankyou very much for your reply & reasoning regarding my questions concerning what I am experiencing. It’s nice to know I am not the only one that experiences this, you & jaqueline make alot of sense, as Jaqueline said in her reply, I should just go with it. Thankyou for those scriptual references, they seem to be very relevent too.
Warm & loving regards,
Daz
Daz, This happens to me often,I evin wake up during the night praying asking Jehovah for wisdom and holy spirit.
Should Christians Keep the Sabbath?
http://passionfortruth.com/media/video/o7br2o8t/y96o9djo
Robert – Do you think Christians should keep the sabbath? I think you will find some good information here: https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/2012/02/12/are-the-christian-and-jewish-sabbath-the-same/
To LDS
I must have had a dream. I can’t shake it from my mind. What is that? A post from you telling me you are from England and are 50 years old, but I can’t find it, like it just vanished. Maybe miracles are starting to happen .
Hank
Hank some personal info will be removed by us. That is why you sometimes see this. Thought you were seeing things.
To Lds;
Thank you for your post. I will agree with you that there is a possibility of verses being taken out and verses being put in. Why?
Rev 22:18, “I am bearing witness to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone an makes an addition to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll.”
Just because God says don’t do it, does that mean it won’t happen? Consider Cain. Read Gen chapter 4. Does not God give him good advice? If you turn to good, will you not be restored to favor? But if you do not turn to good, sin is crouching at the door, and its craving is to dominate you; but will you get the mastery over it?
You or myself would not kill anyone, but Cain did not listen. Likewise when the Bible says don’t make additions, will everybody listen?
Now as to people learning about Jehovah God and his Son. Lets take a quick look at history. The first 1659 years to the flood, mentions some who were in to learning what God wanted, what God accepted. After Genesis 7:11 it continues with a few of mankind.
Then Exodus, and the number of people is much larger and yet God finds away to educate them. Now from Joshua entering the promise land down to Solomon, the nation had its ups and downs. Not only did God send prophets but he had inspired writings take place. These being added to the already down writings of Moses. The next King saw the 10 tribes ripped away because of bad conduct.
Three hundred to two hundred years later they were taken from their inheritance. Another 1oo plus and so was the two tribes off to Babylon.
Yet this one who created everything, being the Almighty, would he stop his purpose because his people were gone? No way, for Ezekiel and Daniel wrote from Babylon. God’s are is no short or weak.
Then we have a little over 500 years to the birth of the Messiah. How powerful was God’s word? Well when the Devil lead the magi to the wicked king first and he said, when you find him come and tell me. When they were warned not to go back to the king, what did he do?
He had the religious look up the prophecy where he was to be born and went and had all boys two years and down killed.
If this does not give us reason to believe God will make sure his people have the right things to learn then continue on.
The first 39 Hebrew writings have been done. And a man whom was the greatest man to live spends 3 and a half years teaching about his Father, God. Would this Almighty God be able to get written down what he wanted?
Consider the next three verse. Ps 25:8, “Good and upright is Jehovah. That is why he instructs sinners in the way to live.
Amos 3:7, “For the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing Unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets.”
Mal 3:6,”Fot I am Jehovah; I do not change.”
So we have a choice. We can believe that God did all those things for the people back then, but he can’t do it for the people now.
Or we can believe he can do what ever he wants. And if he took care of faithful sinners in the past, he can take care of sinners always. Of coarse Adamic sin will come to and end.
Hank