Beyond the Watchtower
Looking to our Past for lessons to help inform our Future
Our new logo of the original Watchtower cross and crown supports our subtitle “Looking to our Past – For lessons about our Future. Find more out the Watchtower history of the cross and crown by clicking here:
WHY THE NAME CHANGE FROM “FRIENDS OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES” TO “BEYOND THE WATCHTOWER?” New redirected website address is — BeyondWatchtower.com.
First an introduction: We are Bible Students who since the early Watchtower days have continued to meet together in congregations around the world. We retain, continue to study, and offer to others, the original Watchtower writings and literature, which we enjoy as wonderful resources to help understand and harmonize the Bible’s teachings. Some of us created the “Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses” website in an attempt to reach out in the spirit of Christian love and friendship, both to struggling Jehovah’s Witnesses and to Ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Why are we reaching out?
A. We hope to provide a safe haven website of help, support, encouragement, open conversation and as well an information center.
B. We hope to provide for your consideration, the enduring, valued, spiritual light of truth that shone forth so brightly in the early days of the Watchtower ministry. In the spirit of Christian love and liberty, we extend to you this invitation to study, not with an autocratic ORGANIZATION controlled by a “Governing Body,” but rather with fellow Christian students of the Bible in the spirit of the Berean’s (Acts 17:11).
C. We hope to share with you areas of our common roots and the true history and the original mission of the early Watchtower Society. In its early days, it operated as a publishing house. It had absolutely NO authority over any of the hundreds of independent congregations which were controlled solely by the congregation members themselves; not by domineering elders, overbearing overseers or a dictatorial Governing Body. In those days each elder could only remain in office if at the annual elections they received 75% of the vote from the Holy Spirit anointed congregation members voting based on the Biblical qualifications for elder (1 Tim 3 and Titus 1).
So why the name change to “Beyond the Watchtower.”
Some visitors to our site have had the mistaken impression that by calling ourselves “Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses” that this meant we were in agreement with the new doctrines and the oppressive and controlling spirit of the organization itself and its governing structure as well as its historical practice of shunning questioning members, and the resultant dividing of families. Dear brothers and sisters, nothing could be further from our true heart’s desire. These types of practices were never to be found among the original Watchtower friends prior to 1917.
Our new name “Beyond the Watchtower” contains a dual meaning which helps clarify our mission:
1: To help, support and encourage present JWs looking BEYOND todays Watchtower or else former JWs AFTER leaving the JW Organization. We would like to provide the type of support as shared in A & B above, to help those presently questioning or struggling with their relationship in the J.W. Organization and who may even have endured and suffered from spiritual and emotional wounds.
2: As described in C above, to provide an accurate historical account of events that took place BEYOND or AFTER the early Watchtower” days when a new organization emerged under new leadership, dramatically changing its beliefs and practices.
In these early Watchtower days, many of the original Bible Students refused to accept the new and changed teachings. Nor would they be controlled by and surrender their Christian liberty to this new and very tough leader, Joseph Rutherford. These Bible Students broke away from the new and emerging JW organization and either maintained or reestablished Bible Student congregation’s worldwide. By 1931, 75% of the Original Bible Students had left this new organization which in that year adopted the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” in order to draw a clear line of distinction from those who had left the Society and those who remained.
The Bible Students as a Christian fellowship still meet together to the present day as free and independent congregations retaining their original beliefs and practicing the same spirit of Christian liberty as was adhered to during the early Watchtower days up through October of 1916 when Brother Russell died.
With these true, loving and encouraging wishes for you, we hope that this website aids you, our visiting brothers and sisters, to find satisfying answers to questions you may have. We hope this site can be an educational, healing center, a safe harbor for achieving a healthy emotional state, a place for spiritual growth in a manner that faithfully follows the scriptures and a place where all of our combined efforts will be found pleasing and honoring to the name of Jehovah, our loving and merciful Heavenly Father.
We hope that a journey with you to the not so distant past will bring you fresh hopes of Jehovah’s kindness and mercy to us today as well as for the bright and wonderful tomorrow that He has promised for all mankind through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
We continue now with our original WELCOME message below.
1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love throws fear outside, because fear exercises a restraint. Indeed, he that is under fear has not been made perfect in love. – NWT
WELCOME TO THIS CITY OF REFUGE
AND SANCTUARY FOR STUDIOUS AND INQUIRING MINDS.
Acts 17:10, 11: Immediately by night the brothers sent both Paul and Silas out to Be-roe’a, and these, upon arriving, went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thes-sa-lo-ni’ca, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so. – NWT
You are anonymous here. You can speak to other Jehovah’s Witnesses, former Jehovah’s Witnesses, Bible Students and other Christians. When posting your comments, you will be able to use a Pen Name. Your e-mail address and website info are completely optional. No one can identify you. No one can report you. You have a home and quiet place to pray and honestly investigate scriptures. It is not our purpose to indoctrinate you, but merely to provide you with resources for further study of Jehovah’s word. You are not alone. You have friends.
Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge the house servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Jehovah can make him stand. – NWT
2 Tim 1:7 (Amplified Bible) – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but He has given us a spirit of power and of love and of calm {and} well–balanced mind {and} discipline {and} self–control.
Gal 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. NKJV
Gal 5:13 – For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. NKJV
2Co 3:17 – …where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. NWT
John 8:31, 32 – And so Jesus went on to say to the Jews that had believed him: “If YOU remain in my word, YOU are really my disciples, and YOU will know the truth, and the truth will set YOU free. NWT
If 1 John 4:8 says “God is love,” then shouldn’t love, not fear, be our motivation to serve Jehovah? Are you serving Jehovah in a certain way because you are afraid/fearful of being destroyed in Armageddon?
Hebrews 13:6 (Amplified Bible) – So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?
Wow, I am so happy to have found this site. I started studying 30 yrs ago,and was baptized in 1990. I started having questions after we we told not to watch a t.v. program because it was an apostate interview, and “you may think you’re strong enough, BUT you AREN’T!”. How come I could study and make the decision to become a JW, but I wasn’t strong enough to remain one? Got me thinking! Then I started hearing about the sex offender trials so I watched the Aus. Royal Comm. and got a real eyeopener, that is when I went AWOL to apostate sites and started really studying, not just going along for the ride, as I had unfortunately been doing for years. I still have a long way to go, but I can’t go back. I haven’t been to a meeting in almost 2 months, I literally get sick to my stomach thinking about going. As a matter of fact I have been sick to my stomach, and cried more in these past few months to make me realize how blind I have been. Now I wish to move forward with my eyes, heart, and mind wide open. I have one son with 2 grandsons still in, so not sure how I am going to do this withdrawal.
Anonymous, hello and welcome. Please just fade if you have loved ones still in. Don’t write a letter or go to the elders to talk about it. It will get you disfellowshipped and hurt your family.
Sometimes you have to go through experiences to come to Christ. I was baptised in 1960 and was fooled for 50 more years. So you are not alone. The internet has been a valuable aid in exposing the governing body who are just a bunch of business men using religion to perpetuate their existence.
We are here to help you come out if it is your choice with the least amount of pain as possible. How did you find this site, may I ask? We can also talk by phone or just ask us questions here.
Suggestion: If you feel you have to sound off, you can do it here. If you do it with your family it might cause them to shun you, but I know you have to talk about it. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is because we are some up at night while other side of world is asleep. So sound off and we will see it.
Question any articles you see and we will be starting a call in program soon. Take care of yourself. Jacqueline.
Jacqueline, thank you so much for your response 🙂 Sorry to hear how long you were ‘lost’.Once I accepted the fact that Jehovah was not backing the WBTS, I was a wreak emotionally, couldn’t go back but didn’t know where to go, I finally did a search of ‘Religions that believe what Jehovah’s Witness’ believe’ and I selected JWFacts.com. I read a couple of the other religions but once I read about the Bible Students I knew I had to check you out. This is the first time since last fall that I have had peace in my heart! I am now going thru the posts that I had questions about and am thrilled with the answers.
Greetings and Welcome, Robin.
I’m assuming you were also the “Anonymous” that made the original post. If not, then I address my reply to both of you. 🙂
I’ve been were you are. I know it because you used the same words I’d been saying for years, “I can’t go back.” I, too, was a JW for decades, but have been both a leper to JW’s and an “orphaned” Bible Student for many years until I finally got brave enough to reach out to the friends here.
As truth-seekers, the only way is forward. It’s just really confusing, and frightening perhaps, when we look around and all we see is back. To me, that’s precisely what Jesus must have had in mind when he described the “narrow way, hard to find, and few are the ones finding it.”
I’m so glad you’ve found your way forward and that it’s brought you at least this far. The wonderful persons here have been so encouraging, gentle, reassuring. The thing that resonates most deeply for me here is that all the scriptural things I came to learn and believe which were not appreciated by my JW associates, are deeply treasured, shared, and appreciated by the Bible Students.
The time has come for us to worship God in Spirit and in Truth, rather than in handmade temples, and to get out of “Babel on and on.”
Again, greetings and welcome. And if you have any other questions, concerns, or comments, and if it would please you to do so, I know it please us all greatly if you shared them with us here.
-greg
Robin welcome. We really want to help the ones choosing to come out of the organization of their own free will and calling from Jehovah.
We know the witnesses have a definite ring of truth but it was a little off with emphasis on buildings, unity of worship of the governing body. The harsh gestapo type treatment by the local elders and total disregard for family with their discipline and shunning policies. I knew they had blood on their hands and that they lie a lot.
So just ask us queztions and we will try to answer. I am at a Bible Students convention and in 2 weeks many will leave for Poland, the international. You can see it on adobe connect. Just follow the link on the article to the left. Takr Care. Jacqueline
Oh Robin, i wanted to suggest something if I may. Focus on Jesus and his lofty role in Gods Devine plan and notice how Holy Spirit will open your mind to understand more fully. I was startled in yhe beginning as i found i could understand the true meaning of many scriptures. I found myself thanking him all my waking hours. So i thought i would warn you about the power of the Holy Spirit if God. Enjoy!
Dearest Jacqueline,
I am smiling as I write this because I realized I have never shared with you (and everyone here) how I “learned” about this site. I can’t recall the exact path I took, but I do recall one of the first steps on my journey was when I was “floundering” in the war with my conscience and the JW teachings.
As a child I was always intrigued by the reference to the “International Bible Students Association” that I read at the bottom of the Publisher’s/Copyright pages of my Bible. That reference has now been completely eliminated from any of the more recent versions/editions of the Bible. But at least as late as 1991, it existed on printed copies of the NWT Bible.
Anyway, a few years back I asked an elder, “Where are the Bible Students now? Where can I find them today?” Needless to say, that didn’t end well. But I’d had enough of the unscriptural ideas, teachings, demands, and violent expressions being constantly fed to the sheep by the ravenous wolves.
To me, I was tired of having my sacrifices stolen when I would go to the temple to offer them, tired of seeing other people getting raped and having their sacrifices stolen when coming to offer their gifts to Jehovah. I could not rid my mind of the picture of what Eli’s sons continually did to the Israelites who were trying to follow God’s law. And all the while Eli (the Elders) did and said nothing. (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25, 29-30)
And this was LONG before I ever realized that Child Sexual Abuse was such a huge problem.
Anyway, it was the reference to the IBSA in the front of my Bible that kept coming back to mind when I wanted to find God’s people. I’m thrilled to say I (now) recognize them by their fruits, though I must admit, my indoctrinated JW expectations (prejudices) had imprisoned me to some extent in that I was “expecting” and thus looking for a different kind of fruit than I finally found. Still, once I got my expectations cleared up, everything else became crystal clear to me.
And here I am.
Thanks to you, and Peter, and everyone who contributes here. Thanks especially be to our God and His son, Jesus.
-greg
Greg, thank you so much for sharing your story. So many of us had the same feelings and yearnings that I know it is the Holy Spirit calling us out.
I have reached my son’s home now after five days at the convention. It was soul inspiring, the info and all the happy children plus the fellowship.
I met Bro. Tazzyman from Australia that also found our sit in his early struggles.
I like the way the children are broken up into age groups and not with us at the convention hall , like in the old days of the watchtower.
Thanks for watching the site while we were at the convention. I knew you would catch any comments that we may have missed since we were all at the convention.
Let me ask you a question and then I am going to look for the link for you to hear one of the break out sessions held after hours in rooms at the convention. They are power sessions to think and express yourself.
Okay, would Revelation 16: 14-16 make more sense if you thought of the only other so called prophet other than Christ and with more followers was Mohammed? It was difficult until today, when Islam is big and posed against all Christian religion and hate the Jews.
The Dragon, the civil powers, atheism and the Beast here being Papacy. We when witnesses never broke it down this way and we threw around the idea of who the false prophet might be. We could never discuss things as witnesses without using the watchtower books as reference. I will look for the link to our discussion when they post it so you can see what you think about it.
I am so glad you found a witnessing venture here and so glad to have you as a brother in Christ. I have forgotten about the bad experiences among the witnesses and never read or listen to any of their talks. I will read a review but to totally get over them I listen and read other voices and watch the news.
I will be with my family for the next 3 weeks including siblings, in-laws, children and grandkids. It seems nothing has changed since they went to the convention. Most of my relatives don’t hear anything but the dramas and use the convention for socializing and letting the children do so. Been on the road for 71/2 hours today and now have 4 little ones to babysit while their parents have gone on to my house. I will follow with kids after one finish a class. See you later.
Jacqueline,
I’ve really enjoyed the parts of the Convention I’ve been able to listen to so far. I’ve got them all saved and queued for listening. One of the highlights for me was being able to tune in briefly on Adobe Connect between 2:30 and 3:30 PM on Tuesday. (Yeah, mostly intermission- giggle.) Anyway, I was so thrilled to join in and be able to hear someone else pray for a change. It’s been years since I’ve had the opportunity to listen to someone else pray. It’s been even longer since I could wholeheartedly say, “Amen.” And not just that, but I especially appreciated the warmth, sincerity, and humility that was so abundant and conspicuous in the dear brother’s brief words and expressions.
I’ll look forward to listening to the break out session. Meantime I’m thinking about that question regarding Mohammed.
I’m so glad you found refreshment and inspiration at the convention. It’s a real thrill for me to have finally found a way to connect other sincere Bible Students and fledglings. I think very fondly, very caringly of the ones who either want to leave their current “nest” or who have been shoved out of their “nest”. These broken reeds and smoldering wicks need such gentle, tender mercy and compassion. (Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20)
Wishing you peace, joy, and safe travels.
Love in and through Christ Jesus,
-greg
I like that you appreciate that those leaving or obeying even their shunning policy needs to be treated with care, mercy and compassion. They think they are obeying God. Many will die with that belief and will see the contrast upon rising. These experiences will really serve in their favor for they will not be inclined to follow men without knowing for sure that they speak for God. So every experience under this system will help when the New Age comes in and it will matter whether or not you follow his plan for our good. I especially have to check and catch myself when dealing with relatives that want to deal with me on business but won’t offer me a room to sleep in when I stop to help them out or visit a sick relative. I need not to get angry. I am making adjustments now by not putting myself in such stressful situations. My oldest son (a witness) called with tears asking me not to go around relatives that have indicated they will shun. It seems they are speaking evil of me and want to confront me in a hostile way. It hurts him and he will react so I will avoid them. A Funeral that I know is coming, I have decided I won’t attend, I have visited my Uncle (96 years) while he is alive. His wife and others had me drive home for 5 hours with a little 5 year old in my car at 10pm. They wanted me to help with some cleaning and my Uncle needed me to make calls and get him in touch with old relatives and I thought I would stay overnight with a relative as planned but the relative would’t answer the phone. (relative was young and left years ago). They got to her anyway. So I am giving them up but without anger and trying to enjoy my new friends and retirement, to do more to help in the LORD. It has been a long 6 years since I left but Prayer and learning some Truths without that Jehovah witness twist on the end has been a Godsend.
I also have to watch out for relatives that want to use me as an antagonistic point by inviting me to events and saying all that don’t want to come can stay away because Jacqueline will be there. They have a rebel fight against the org but seek to use me to express it. I am staying away from all family events so they all can come together without a feeling of me contaminating them by my presence.
These are just some decisions I have had to make as I travel this way. Take Care IN HIS Service, Jacqueline
It sounds a bit like walking on a tightrope. We can all get drawn into and slip into dangerous or messy situations so easily. I’m confident your continued focus on loving endeavours will help keep you happily distracted from all the other tempting entanglements.
true Greg, a tightrope. I mention my experiences because others probably think it is just them but this is the way it is when your relatives are witnesses. The Saturday convention program is probably one of the worse cases of fear tactics I have seen this organization pull. So when you know your relative have just come back rom the convention you have to go into protect mode as they are hyped up. Thankfully with the witnesses this hype only lasts about a week and they get back to normal. I will be with family in different cities for the next 2-3 weeks. Siblings that I will travel with are trying to come out but live where there are many family within the organization. The others are okay, typical witnesses and not all ingrained. I am going to write an article that deals with the different levels of mind controlled depending on whether you are 1st, 2nd, or third generation. Doing research.
Jacqueline, you wrote:
“Let me ask you a question and then I am going to look for the link for you to hear one of the break out sessions held after hours in rooms at the convention. They are power sessions to think and express yourself.
“Okay, would Revelation 16: 14-16 make more sense if you thought of the only other so called prophet other than Christ and with more followers was Mohammed? It was difficult until today, when Islam is big and posed against all Christian religion and hate the Jews.”
I’m still considering this question. I’d be very much keen on listening to the break out session if you can find the link.
But as for the moment, speaking purely for myself, personally, I’m not sure I’d be in a position to argue one way or the other. I expect, as with all prophecy, it’s meaning will become clear in due time.
In the Watch Tower reprints, [R510 : page 7] it reads:
“The FALSE PROPHET is a new symbol, and takes the place of both the “two-horned beast” and “the image of the beast,” and, we believe, is a still more comprehensive symbol, representing all systems teaching error—those called “orthodox” as well as many considered heterodox.”
While this comment could tend to lean me towards an understanding having application with Mohammed in mind, the very next two sentences could tend to lean me away from that- at least to my mind, anyway.
“These three classes will all give forth one kind of teaching, called symbolically unclean spirits (impure, erroneous teaching), like frogs.
“This harmonious teaching in which these can all unite, we believe to be the dogmas of “the divine right of kings,” the “authority of the clergy,” and the claim that mankind is bound to submit to these and be controlled by them.”
I see the idea of said harmony being actually harmonious (when viewed from a godly perspective) only insofar as it is united (or harmonious) in purpose, namely to confuse. At the same time, it seems to me to be more a reality of total disharmony when viewed from a slightly more subjective, human perspective, namely very different (at least on the surface) teachings.
So in the end, I find myself in want of more information and more experiential learning. In other words, I would need to do a lot more study and research.
Bottom line for me: Could be. Definitely something to consider and watch.
Greg hello, I need more study and waiting to see if indeed Muslim nations are a great part that aligns to march against Israel. Thanks for posting part 2.
Bottom line.
Since Jesus is supposed to have appointed the J.W. organization as his very own in 1919 and then from that point own been personally directing it. How is it that the very next year (1920) he brought forth the false prophesy about 1925? The organization’s own book (Millions now living will never die) came out under Rutherford, the then president of the organization in 1920. The teaching about 1925 being the end was strongly promoted (1920-1925) through that book (MNLWND) as well as other J.W. books and publications of the time. THE PROPHESY WAS A FALSE ONE. This would make Jesus a false prophet if he appointed and directed them like they now say. On the other hand if he did not appoint them, they would still be false prophets as an organization. You can get a copy of (MNLWND) through Amazon. Get real, Jesus would have nothing to do with false prophesy. Think! Reason! Question! Research! Be honest with yourself. This is serious. You do not want your worship to be in vain. Do You?
So true David. Also the reason he used 1919 is it would do away with anything Russell taught and would give him the freedom to make changes and crate his own organization. Rutherford frequently pointed to “these things could not be understood until 1918 when Jesus came into his temple” and “lightning flashes”. If you notice in the JW publication about the book of Daniel he used 2,520 days as years to get to 1914. But for Daniel 12 days on the 1,260, 1,290 and 1335 days he used as literal days to get his conventions to be prophetic.
Hello Anon.
I had hoped to reply to your comment sooner. I liked how simply you worded it when you said, “he used as literal days to get his conventions to be prophetic.”
Just a couple weeks previously I had been reading the March 1st, 1925 Watchtower article “Birth of the Nation” where Rutherford claimed that very thing: That his Convention, the one HE PLANNED, organized, and orchestrated, somehow fulfilled Bible Prophecy. Like he couldn’t possible have planned it that way. When I saw the “detailed proof” he gave on page 72, I couldn’t help myself from wondering, “How gullible do you think I am?”
Worse still, how gullible were his followers?
Sigh…
Hi David.
I really appreciate that you posted this comment.
Short. Sweet. Simple. Clear.
Thank you for putting this into print. It really puts an intelligent, truthful and logical perspective on things.
I just recently got baptized and I immediately felt like I was in jail. I don’t believe that the Governing Body has a direct line to Jesus. I don’t agree with the shunning.. me having to have a chaperone if I meet a brother as though Jehovah is not there.. I don’t know how much longer I will last. I’ve heard the GB have ties to the illuminati.
Lashell,
Sorry to hear this. Certainly the early Church environment under the Apostles did not feel like a jail. Nor should our congregations feel like jails.
When you say our congregations are you talking about (Bible Students or Jehovah Witness) I am really confused about this site.
LaShell,
I was speaking generically. If any congregation claims contain Jehovah’s people, it should be a place of love, joy, mercy and learning.
“Perfect love casts out fear”
Lashall hello. If you just got baptized it might be best to not comment so much and calm your zeal that a new one normally has. This will give you breathing room. They will try to tame you right away and the pressure to conform is applied in the beginning by the elders and the sisters in the congregation.
Remember you don’t have to be in any religion or place where you feel in jail. I just saw your comment and it hurt to see you feel this way when you should be happy that you have publicly shown your love for God. You sound young, if so, this is sad. You can leave the religion without going to the elders for a meeting or writing a letter. Just stop going, it will be easier if you haven’t been indoctrinated for decades.
Tell us more so maybe we can be more helpful. You are welcome here and to ask questions etc. You don’t have to belong to an organization to please God. You can reach him through Jesus. Remember Jesus said 2 or 3 not big large congregations where you are a part of a collective. I will wait to hear more details, like whether your family are witnesses etc, because this will matter. Also Lashall pray directly to God thru Jesus, don’t mention governingbody or faithful slave in your prayer so you can get to HIM and show you recognize Jesus as your mediator. Take Care., Jacqueline
I am a current JW. Though I attend the meetings, I no longer identify myself as a witness. I now only identify myself as a Christian only. I am deeply frustrated with the controlling micromanagement of the Governing Body. I find the writings on this site quite liberating and will read more over the coming while. JM
Welcome Joe. I’m glad that you found your way here. If you have any pressing questions or concerns, feel free to ask or express them.
Warmly,
-greg
Welcome Joe! I was a JW for over 40 Yrs. now I’m a Bible student.
I am a disfellowshipped JW and have been for many years. Because of the world state that I see everyday And because of what I was taught as a child I know things are just going to get worse and not better. I keep convening myself it will get better but yet they never do. I want to get back to the meeting but every time I make plans something always comes up. I know that is an excuse. I have so much I am working on to get to the point where I want to be as far as getting to the meetings that I get over whelmed. I was wanting to know is there anyway I can be sent some publications.
Sl if you have a computer most of the resources are listed to the right below comments and you can read all of it on the computer. Especially under the apps section. Go to the Book and video store if you want to order but most of it is on in PDF or video and other forms.
Children material is also on there. Go to the right below the comments and get familiar with what it offers electronically.
Thanks and take Care. Feel free to ask questions, as many as you like and many on here will do their best to help you find the answer..
I am a disfellowshipped JW. But I have to tell you all the things that I have learned as I grew up as a JW about how the world would be as time went by has definitely Come to be true. I keep trying to convence myself that things will get better but no avail, they just seem to get worse. And here I never thought I paid that much attention at the meetings. I wanna go back to these truths but find it very difficult because of truly been over whelming by work. Not the secular but all the work at home. Also getting back into that routine. But because of my husband even wondering what this is world is coming to I would love to be answer that and explain why it is happening and who said all these things would happen. Hopefully I can get this figured out in my mind and get back to the truth.
Sheree, hello and thanks so much for commenting. I know what you are talking about, life can be overwhelming for many of us.
To get started back one of the first things I would like to suggest is get the truth about salvation at Armageddon, it might just suprise you what the Bible really has to say on that subject. It is a take down of this system as we know it and the setting up of a King Christ Jesus. I was thrilled to see that nowhere does the Bible teach that it will be the killing of all children, men and women that are not a part of the witness organization. That puts you at ease to level the thinking process out and learn slowly what the Bible really teaches. Go here to read by clicking on either of these subjects:
https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/category/armageddon-2/
Most Christian religions teach and know how the Bible foretold the events that we see now in stages. It seems the terror attacks is like the fiery part of prophecy.
The site is set up to the left on the different subjects. Just click on it and find the one you want to know about. Read it and ask us questions and someone will answer and discuss openly with you.
Could you tell us please how you found the site? We welcome you as a believer in Christ and his Ransom for all men. Take Care Sheree.
Br Peter,, Can you please help me to understand Memorial Day exact date. Jehovahswitness celebrated Memorial Day on March 23. Bible students will celebrate it on April 21 evening . Which date is correct?
Raj while Br. Peter is answering I would like to just post a few links as many have questioned the difference in JW. Memorial and Easter being 30 days different from the Jewish Passover. We had a huge conversation going on facebook around Memorial for the witnesses.
This is a number of articles on Memorial also. But the one below shows how the date is reckoned.
https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/category/memorial/
This is just one article on how the date of the Memorial is reckoned:
http://www.heraldmag.org/2005/05ma_10.htm
This is an interesting on why the two dates are one month apart this year. There might be other reasons including the fact that the first full moon is said to be April 9th, but some food for thought. Also there are so many more factors in the Jewish passover, whether the barley crop has produced and other factors.
Why is Easter so early this year and 1 month different from the Jewish passover?
http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/article/ZZ/20080319/NEWS/803199973
http://patch.com/new-york/mountvernonny/why-easter-so-early-passover-so-late-2016
John and cazenovi thank u both for the feedback can the both of u send your email addresses to my email really would be to chat with u both
Thank you
Timothy email me at cazenovi@gmail.com or type you email here so we can email you.
Hi Timothy and welcome! I’m a former JW and I can tell you from experience….don’t let yourself be forced into anything!! Your salvation DOES NOT depend on you becoming a JW! Give yourself time to sort through all the things you may have questions about and make sure it’s backed up by the bible. Yes I love the JW people to also, most are good associations and mean well. I still go to their mostly meetings for my wife’s sake and I do study some of their publications when it’s not contrary to what’s in the Bible, e.g., the “Imitate Their Faith” book is an excellent example, also keeping up with the Bible reading each week is very beneficial, SOME of their Watchtower articles are also pretty good especially when it’s not glorifying the GB.
Hi friends Ive been studying and associating with Jehovah’s witnesses for two years now became interested
Through talking to a neighbor of mine who’s a brother
Loved the people the organization and the teachings
And I would like to be baptized someday
Although born and raised strictly conservative Baptist
I caught on pretty quick but its like when I have my periods when I’m associating going to meetings Assembly’s and conventions and fellowshipping
I feel this overwhelming pressure to hurry up and become a unbaptized publisher I mean I want to someday but I’m just not spiritually ready all the way I mean thought we were supposed to let Jehovah lead our way not do things according to our own will and understanding or others will and understanding I more I tell the brothers that the more I get pressured Im lost
I need
Some advice from some who has been a publisher
Thank you
Timothy…
Hello my name is Bret, and I became a JW at the age of 21 and raised my family in it. I was a Ministerial Servant for 7 yrs and a Elder for 12.. Served as service overseer, school overseer, secretary and many others. I left 2 years ago after researching the Bible Students for a couple years and comparing doctrines..
Do not be in a hury… And question everything…
I discovered Christ gave his life a “Ransom for All” and not “All sorts of”. Those who get baptized a JW’s get baptized into an organization and not “Into Christ Jesus”
Timothy… Have you ever seen or heard of a scripture that refers to a follower of Christ as an “Unbaptized” publisher?
Being Baptized into the organization, are you ready to CHANGE your beliefs constantly and without questioning? Or be disfellowshipped!!
Do you believe a corporation has a monopoly on Everlasting life?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are not the only ones who believe in a paradise earth, so do bible students, Bible Students also know that Gods kingdom is a real government and the dead are conscious of nothing, the Bible Students teatch all get a resurrection not just some “That is whoever the Governing Body decides… Bible Students reject the trinity as well and believe the 144,000 are christs bride…
So before you give your allegiance to those 7 men called the Governing Body research everything.
You can ask Peter for my email address if you would like to discuss further and I have about a hundred questions for you to ask your study… Questions he cannot answer..
Dear Timothy, I think I can answer your questions. Im a current JW,I serve as a ministerial servant and I may tell you I am of the anointed too.
Could we share emails?
Thank you
John, Tim, please email me. We all share the same things in common. cazenovi@gmail.com
Hi John thanks for the feedback do we chat on here or via email how does it work really need to talk with u about a few things that have been heavy on my mind
Thank you
Hello Timothy
You may contact me in not123worthy@gmail.com
Yours in Jehovah’s service
John
PS I would be happy to talk with u
Timothy you may also chat on here so others can benefit in addition to private chat. Your audience consists of thousands who just read but never comment. Also some of the Bible student elders might have another point of view rather than the witness view which you already basically know. Also they will give you what the Bible says instead of the organizations viewpoint. Also we are not witnesses nor associated with the organization. Take care.
Timothy – To me here is the main issue. I contend that once you are baptized into the JW Organization (not into Christ), that at that point the organization will own you. Any second guessing at that point is problematic. If after months of study you come to a different conclusion on a doctrine and want to discuss your scriptural reasoning with other JWs you will be viewed as an apostate. Like Martin Luther and John Huss you must recant and come into agreement with the organization or suffer severe consequences. My recommendation is to keep honestly studying and praying. Do not let them pressure you into baptism. Like marriage, if you wait until you are certain, you are less likely to have to worry about a messy divorce.
I would suggest you also consider asking questions or making points here publicly. Whether or not we come to agreement, you will experience the Christian liberty for each to express their view and provide the scriptural evidence. Romans 14;5 (NASV) “Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.”
Good Advice Peter, I hope you are keeping well . . . .
Kindest regards,
Daz
Hi Peter K, it’s been awhile since I’ve heard from you, how are you? What did you think about my “Ezekiel’s vision” post?
Ken (B.S.) I started reading it but since I am in the convention city I have tabled it for next week. I will give you my take. So far I was wondering if this was his opinion or I might have to continue reading to see where he is going. Take Care. Convention starts tomorrow.