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?
The bunker videos that I’ve watched gets me concerned about the time of the end. The Jehovah’s witnesses produced. What does video produces about the videos of the Jehovah’s witnesses in the basement during the Great tribulation this is actually happening now in Russia with Jehovah’s witnesses in America the United States of America will simply take the governing body to court they will be arrested more than likely not each individual one of Jehovah’s witnesses. This is my take on the time of the end and it will be more people that will be persecuted besides Jehovah’s witnesses. In the video a man named Chris is Shepherd and all the flock and a man named Kevin did not come to the meeting in the basement these are symbolic names. In the video it says the guard your thoughts. This video is interesting Peter what is your take on the video have you seen it the bunker video I’m going to watch it again it’s interesting let’s see how Jehovah’s witnesses think. The president of Russia is considering given Jehovah’s witnesses a little freedom from persecution I don’t know if he will or not but he may United States government is concerned with the Jehovah’s witnesses about child neglect not reporting the social services. Do Bible students have similar beliefs to the Jehovah’s witnesses. About to end time do Bible students believe they will be persecuted in the end time.
A dozen comments in a row are treated as spam, so all but one were removed. Thank you for your comments and for sharing these serious reflections. Questions regarding the “time of the end,” how God’s people should view world events, and how we understand the “faithful and wise servant” are matters that deserve careful, scriptural consideration.
To address the points raised across your messages:
On the “Bunker Videos” and the Nature of End-Time Persecution
The video dramatization featuring the fictional characters Chris and Kevin portrays a scenario specific to the modern Watchtower organization’s view of the Great Tribulation. Scripturally, while true followers of Christ have suffered—and will suffer—persecution in various nations throughout the Gospel Age (including the hardships experienced by many in Russia and elsewhere today), the Bible presents the final “Time of Trouble” (Daniel 12:1) as a widespread, worldwide disintegration of present financial, social, and political systems, rather than a military raid directed strictly at a single modern institution or legal entity.
Our Lord encouraged His followers to maintain peace of heart and trust in God’s providence, rather than living in fear or isolation: “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Physical hiddenness in basements is not the measure of spiritual safety; our true refuge is the spiritual “secret place of the Most High” (Psalm 91:1).
On the “Faithful and Wise Servant” (Matthew 24:45–47)
The suggestion that Jehovah God or Jesus Christ constitutes the “servant” may not be correct the parable, as Jesus is the Master who returns to inspect the household. Scripture does not support the idea of a centralized, earthly Governing Body commanding absolute, unquestioning obedience. Christ alone is the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18), and all who belong to the Body of Christ are brethren (Matthew 23:8).
On Church Structure & Historical Changes
It is helpful to remember that modern Jehovah’s Witnesses are organizationally and doctrinally distinct from the original Bible Student movement:
• Governance: The early Bible Students operated—and independent Bible Student ecclesias continue to operate today—on a strictly congregationalist model. Each local fellowship elects its own elders and deacons democratically, with no central headquarters, Governing Body, or hierarchy dictating belief.
• Doctrinal Shifts: Following Pastor Russell’s death in 1916, J.F. Rutherford introduced major organizational centralizations and altered key teachings—eventually adopting the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” in 1931 to separate his organization from the Bible Students who maintained the original, non-hierarchical view of the Scriptures.
On Personal Suffering and Compassion
Regarding those who have suffered severe emotional, mental, or family hardship due to rigid religious demands: the Scriptures remind us that the Lord’s yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Where human traditions or organizational pressures cause distress, alienation, or broken families, we are called to show patience, Christian love, and sympathy. God judges the heart with justice and mercy, and no earthly organization holds a monopoly on His care or the ransom provided through Jesus Christ for all humanity (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
Let us continue to watch world events—including economic shifts and international conflicts—not with anxiety or panic, but with sober discernment, resting in the assurance that God’s overriding plan will ultimately bring peace, restoration, and the blessings of the Millennial Kingdom to all the families of the earth.
In Christian fellowship,
Peter K
The last day of the last days will probably be, in a couple months. When world currency actually goes bankrupt that will be a end of war peace and security will exist. With the nations are saying please add security the Great tribulation begin. I hope to be one of those to survive the great tribulation. Last call of the anointing. God judges the world.
Jehovah’s witnesses and Bible students the anointed did not all stay with the Jehovah’s witnesses organization. Many could not serve in the organization. This could be the last memorial call this year before Jesus Christ comes. Were that close to the kingdom of God. The Federal reserve Note will be judge by Jehovah God he is putting in the end all wars peace and security agreement will be signed after the Federal reserve Note those bankrupt this will end all wars yes the money going bankrupt will end all wars piece of security will be signed by the United States this is a couple weeks we have a couple weeks from seeing Bible prophecy happen. Last call Virgin call last memorial you can do it in the privacy of your own home you can do Lee memorial in the privacy of your own home the Passover will begin April 2nd the Federal reserve Note will be bankrupt by then the Federal reserve note is going bankrupt this will be the end of the war as we know it everything will be free everything will be free in the end of the world will happen God is ready God has been ready for the world powers to end their rules Nations have had that day Jehovah God will rule the Earth once again Jesus Christ is our King.
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for your recent comments. Your words reveal deep sincerity, spiritual longing, and a strong desire to serve God and Christ apart from man made barriers. Such feelings would have been well understood among the early Bible Students, who sought to return to the simplicity of first century Christianity (Acts 11:26).
You are right in observing that Jesus did not make baptism difficult or organizational. In the Scriptures, baptism follows faith and repentance as a personal act of consecration to God—not as a pledge of loyalty to an institution or a set of additional doctrines imposed by men (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:36 38). The apostle Peter did not require approval from a governing body, nor did Philip demand agreement with matters beyond belief in Christ. As the apostle Paul wrote, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5).
The Scriptures also emphasize Christian liberty of conscience. Each believer stands or falls before his own Master, not before fellow servants (Romans 14:4, 10 12). When human rules are added where God has not spoken, conscience is bound improperly, and spiritual growth suffers (Colossians 2:20 23). True consecration is made to God alone, for “there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
Your pain at being refused baptism after many years of study should not be minimized. Yet Scripture reminds us that God’s approval is not determined by religious systems. “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Those whom God calls are not always recognized by institutions (1 Corinthians 1:26 29).
You have also spoken of being “anointed” and of possessing special insight. A gentle word of balance may help here. While Scripture teaches that God’s people receive an anointing of the Spirit (1 John 2:20, 27), it also counsels humility. No individual is authorized to exalt himself as a special authority over others (1 Corinthians 4:6 7). Even the apostles urged believers to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Regarding expectations about world events, financial collapse, or exact timelines: sincere believers throughout history have believed the end was imminent. Jesus himself cautioned that “of that day and hour knoweth no man” (Matthew 24:36), and after his resurrection reminded his disciples, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power” (Acts 1:7). Watchfulness is encouraged, but certainty in future dates or specific outcomes is not (Matthew 24:42; Luke 21:34 36).
The Kingdom of God does not depend upon the collapse of any particular nation or currency. God’s purposes move forward according to His wisdom, not human predictions (Habakkuk 2:3). Faith is shown, not by urgent proclamations, but by endurance, love, and obedience (Luke 21:19; James 5:7 8).
If you desire to consecrate yourself to God, take comfort in this truth: no human organization can prevent a sincere heart from being accepted by the Father. True dedication is lived daily—through faith, humility, mercy, and devotion to Christ as the sole Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18; Micah 6:8). As the Scriptures declare, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17).
May you find peace in resting your hope, not in recognition by men, but in the mercy and guidance of God through Jesus Christ, “who is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him” (Hebrews 7:25).
With sincere regard,
Peter K. (admin)
The Federal reserve Note and the money system is being judged by Jehovah and a few weeks we will see the bankruptcy of America. America the United States is the la to hold world power. The Federal reserve Note will not be replaced with another currency. This is the end of the world Babylon the Great will soon be under attack by the nation the United Nations will hold world power at the end. Were that close to Jesus Christ returns we are in a matter of weeks when Jehovah judges the Federal reserve Note the Federal reserve Note is basically worth very little but it gives bankers and the super rich a lot of money while the poor people have very little. 1% of the population holds most of the wealth this system will collapse God is now judging the United States Federal reserve date and it’s going to put an end of war
Hello!
I’m also one of the Bible students(Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement) member and I wanted to ask a few questions since we accept all of Russell’s teachings and even advanced them more. I would also like to ask some questions related to the Bible Students as I would like to know more about the activities of the surviving Bible Student groups in the world.
Dear Laymens’ Bible Student – Thank you for reaching out. It’s a pleasure to hear from a fellow Bible Student, especially one associated with the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement. I appreciate your interest and your desire to learn more.
Yes, I would be glad to answer questions related to the Bible Students and to discuss the activities of the various surviving Bible Student groups around the world. While we may differ in how certain teachings have been developed or emphasized over time, it is encouraging to see a continued appreciation for the foundational truths originally brought to light and for the Scriptures themselves as the final authority.
Please feel free to ask your questions. I look forward to a constructive and respectful exchange and to learning more about your experiences as well.
Thank you for your interest in my question, as it is difficult for me to find information about the remaining Bible students in the world.
I have belonged to the Bible Students movement since birth and have participated many times in their conventions, and I am already a deacon myself. The members of this branch of the students are mostly in Poland, and its history is very extensive and even dates back to 1920. This movement is still active, and up to 400 people gather at conventions in rented halls, usually around 200 to 300 people, although I heard that in the past, up to 800 would gather in one hall! There are also members of this group in Ukraine, Germany, India, and the USA. However, in our movement, splits often occurred, and some now gather independently in their own conventions — I think because our congregations are very independent, and some want to pull things one way or another, trying to impose their beliefs on others, although the majority of brothers and sisters are not quarreling or hostile toward each other and still want to expand the work of the gospel. Our movement’s budget in Poland is not very large, as everything comes from voluntary donations, but I heard that there is enough money to publish brochures and carry out other work. Where there are more members, some have even built houses of prayer with their own funds where everyone can gather together — there is one in Poland and another in Ukraine. Several times a year, we publish the brochure “Present Truth,” where we examine various topics related to the current parousia and epiphany truth; this magazine is first written at the main movement headquarters in the USA and then translated into other languages. In general, our movement recognizes that most Bible Students groups already hold the same parousia truth that Russell taught. We have even organized youth camps based on Christian fellowship, where very young people and older youth gather.
I am interested in how things work or how many people gather at conventions in other Student movements. I would be satisfied if you would like to answer a few questions that interest me. How many Bible Students do you think are left in the world in total? How is the work developing in your congregation? What do you think about the Bible prophecies related specifically to the Bible Students?
Hi Layman’s Bible Student Friend,
It’s good to hear from you. Here is a link to the Bible Student Conventions, which may help you stay informed with what is happening among Bible Students today:
https://www.brownbearsw.com/hosted/WB/Conventions
Bible Student ecclesias are found primarily in America, Canada, Australia, Europe, India, Africa, and the Philippines. Our numbers remain small, just as Brother Russell anticipated, since the Bride is limited to the 144,000. As we draw closer to the completion of the Bride of Christ, it is natural that fewer would remain. As a Layman, you likely hold the view that the Church (the 144,000) was completed at the time of Brother Johnson’s death.
As I believe you would agree, we Bible Students are glad to share the Truth because we are not insecure about it. Anyone is welcome to express their thoughts or even disagree with us on this site, provided they are sincere. We do not censor or silence honest discussion. This gives us confidence, because we have yet to encounter visitors who can refute the fundamental teachings of the Truth—such as the Ransom, Restitution, and the Abrahamic Promise to bless all mankind. When questions arise, we simply turn to the Scriptures and present what the Bible teaches.
I imagine your experience has been similar.
There are about 75,000 Bible students left in the world. Layman home missionary,dawn magazine for the dawnites. Associated Bible students. That might be your major three . The associated Bible students might have the most . Lots of conventions, but many online. Not gathering together as much as in the past . I think all will get Russell’s books to you, if you request them . Did you know, Russell’s dad and sister were baptized together in 1874? Look forward to hear from you.
In **1870**, Charles Taze Russell, along with his father **Joseph L. Russell** and his sister **Mae**, were part of a small circle of searching individuals who began an independent, systematic study of the Bible in the **Pittsburgh and Allegheny** area,.
While highlight the year **1874** as the significant date when Pastor Russell and his associates came to believe that Christ had returned invisibly as “Lord of the Harvest”,, the specific detail regarding the 1874 baptism of his father and sister is not explicitly detailed in the provided excerpts.
However, drawing from historical records typically found in Bible Student biographies (such as those referenced in the *Messenger of Millennial Hope* or through the research of historians like James B. Parkinson mentioned in the sources), it is understood that:
* **Joseph L. Russell** (his father) and **Margaret (Mae) Russell** (his sister) were baptized in **1874** [Outside of Sources].
* The baptism was performed by **George Stetson**, a minister whom Pastor Russell identifies as being instrumental in re-establishing his faith and uncovering the broad outlines of the Divine Plan during the period of 1869–1872.
* The location of their shared spiritual activities and study was in **Allegheny, Pennsylvania**, where the original Bible study group was centered.
Russia is not going to allow Jehovah’s witnesses to be a religion ever again they are going to allow Bible students Jehovah’s witnesses Bible students to be a religion but not the watchtower Jehovah’s witnesses who are the real Jehovah’s witnesses I love Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. Russia believes governing body policy produces too many family problems I lost custody of my daughter after I had a mental breakdown The starting over government body policy in Virginia.