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?
I have a question if you have know for 1 year and 3 months
that a person in your home was a dedicated
Witness and he aux pioneers and does the
Group for service and have confronted him
4 times on this would go to the elders even if your
husband has and knows also told you not to.
what would you do
Thanks in advance
Theresa
Hi Theresa, You mentioned your husband knows so under JW guidelines he is in charge. Is this a serious sin that you feel he has committed against you?
Is this a Matt 18:!5-18 situation? You mentioned you confronted him 4 times. Without knowing the exact nature on the situation it would be hard to answer.
For instance: If it was child abuse, I would go really far and go to the police, parents and put a stop to it myself. Is it smoking, is it lying? So you see how what it is matters.
Matt 18:15-17 From the NIV bible.
15 “If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Footnotes:
a.Matthew 18:15 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verses 21 and 35.
b.Matthew 18:15 Some manuscripts sins against you
c.Matthew 18:16 Deut. 19:15
If I have assumed you are speaking about a serious sin, then Br. Peter, an Elder will also comment to you. Is that what you meant? We don’t quite understand. We do understand that this is perhaps a ministerial servant (deacon) and a pioneer thus putting him in a position od authority. But maybe you can be a little clearer. Thank you my sister, Jacqueline
PS: Also see this article if it is personal. https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/category/character-development/conflict/
Hi I’m one of Jehovah witness and I love meeting
people and would love to chat and maybe get
encouraging comments I’m the only one left in
my family that is my brothers took a different road
and I don’t judge them. My husband and 3 of my
grown children and their mates are Jehovah people
also just some time when I’m getting my lessons up
I have a hard time finding the answer or putting it in
My own words and I feel like I’ve failed Jehovah. So I
want to join for the encouragement. Thanks Theresa
Theresa you are welcome here. I notice you are a grandmother like me ( your email address tells me), but you have more than me however. All of my adult children and their mates are witnesses also. Two of them just left 2 days ago with the grands. They are learning not to judge others since they have to deal with me. I still have a lot of family that are witnesses and still quite a few have left also and are doing just fine.
If I may ask, How did you find our site? Were you looking for a particular subject? If so and there are questions I and others would love to dialogue with you.
Our General convention (equivalent to District convention) starts Saturday and I will be there for the entire six days. I thought it was next week so I am in a flurry to pack and get things done, it slipped up on me.
Also feel free to join the conversation on any of the post also. Take Care, In Christian Love, Jacqueline
Hi. Theresa…I just wanted to welcome you to the site. I will be looking forward to talking to you in the near future.A little about myself….I was a Witness for 36 years and been away for six years. My three sons are still JW’s. I have 4 grandchildren and one on the way. I’m gaining a lot of knowledge and have receive love and patience from the Bible Students. You will like it here I’m sure……Agape….Henry
Greetings Theresa!
I would like to extend my warm welcome to you as well and hope you enjoy yoursaelf with us. I don’t get on hre every day. But I do try to be of help to folks when I can.
Dupin
Hola, me gustaria saber si tienen congregaciones en San Luis Potosi, Mexico, me gustaria congregarme con ustedes en LIBERTAD, con AMOR, Y CLARO DAR MI TESTIMONIO, porfavor si hya manera de contactarlos en Mexico contestenme pronto, pues he mandado inumerables correos y nadie de los Estudiantes de la Biblia me contesta, dehehco fue una gran sorpresa entontrarlos en la red, buscamndo la esperanza de adorrar a Jehova sin tanta restriccion, en amor y libertad.
Espero su respuesta.
————-
TRANSLATION ATTEMPT
Hello, I would like to know if they have congregations in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, I would like FREEDOM congregarme with you, with LOVE, LIGHT AND GIVE MY TESTIMONY, please contact them if h way in Mexico soon answer me, for I have sent countless emails and no Student of the Bible answers me, was a big surprise dehehco entontrarlos on the network, buscamndo adorrar hope to Jehovah without much restriction, in love and freedom.
I await your response.
Omar
I will email you directly.
“dehehco fue una gran sorpresa entontrarlos en la red”
(It was a big surprise, in fact, to find you on the net.)
“buscamndo la esperanza de adorrar a Jehova sin tanta restriccion, en amor y libertad.”
(I’m looking for the hope to worship Jehovah without any limitations, in love and liberty.)
Ouch! i forgot about that!
Peter sent something, so I’ll see if i can get on for what’s left of today.
Just to let those here who know me know:
I’ve been under the weather lately. i underwent a surgery we knew could cause some problems, that’s fine and I accepted the risk. Well, i ended up with severla trips to the Er in critical condition, but the hospital refused to admit me. They just stabilized me some and left the mess for the family to deal with both times. Oh, and they placed me on massive steroid doses which quickly caused further problems, the one which sent me to the ER the second time.
So now I’m finally under the care of a doctor who is trying to undo the mess the ER doctors did. among other things the medications I’m now on screw up my ability to concentrate so I’m no good for anything around here right now but to pop in and read some of the posts. They’ve also done a number on other activities i have going around the net, b ut i’m hoping to be back in the saddle before long.
My love to all!
Dupin
Good morning Dupin, hope you are feeling well today. We are at the Chicago Convention now do you have the link?
Dupin – You are in our prayers and we hope for your swift recovery. We so much enjoy your participation on this site.
So good to see you online. I used to get the articles from Chicago Bible Students. Thank you for this lovely site and information. my background is JW’s. mk
Hello marta kester and welcome. Hope you can come on the conference call on the 15th and on Wednesday we have a phone hook up and all or most have a JW background except the conductor mostly. God Bless and enjoy. I love this site for all the info provided by our BS brothers. I am on the road traveling today but I can adobeconnect on my phone and see and hear the brothers. Take Care.
You are welcome here. I am with the Chicago Congregation. Our website is here: http://www.chicagobible.org/ We hope to hear more from you on our Friends of JWs site.
Dear SISTER Jaqueline,GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN!I DO NOT MIND HELPING THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT THE JWs,They need all our love & understanding,they are our brothers,Jesus said we need to shearch for lost sheep.My e/mail address is rtazzyman@dodo.com.au.Hope to hear from you soon ,Brotherly love.Richard Tazzyman
Bro. Richard Tazzyman,
Australia an UK are our highest number of visitors outside of the US which has over 2500. So I think if Br. Peter had your contact info in the private contact us section, we could give to othe AU. visitors with your permission on each before hand. We know the country of origin for posters and can let them know of contacts in that country. You havbing been a former witness will be very useful my brother.
HELLO OLLIE,I WAS TOLD YOU LIVE IN AUSTRALIA & THAT YOU ARE IONTERESTED IN THE BIBLE I am a ex witness so give me a call & let me know where you live.Regards richard
I am 22 years old and i was a Jehovahs Witness only upto the age of 8. I have never really felt complete since and this maybe because of the absence of faith. I have lived a very sinful life in the past 4 years taking drugs and drinking excessively but it never really made me happy. I want to change and go to a local kingdom hall again but i am really nervous about what people will think of me and is it possible for it to be too late for someone? I dont have a bible, a song book or really any smart clothing. What advice can you give me? Thanks.
Hi Ollie, so glad to see you on the site. Ollie we have Bible Students in your country but we would need to have your contact info to see if one is near you. Also we have complete internet groups for those where there is no physical congregation of brothers. I f you will leave your info in the contact section Br. Peter only will see it and check for your location.
2Tim. 2:22 says”Flee the desires incidental to youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Youths go thru a lot of changes, so very crazy. But seems as if you have landed on your feet straight up. You are welcome here. Others will chime in today also. The internet groups are very strong friendships, like being at a meeting in a home. We have one tonight, but your time is so different from ours. Br. Peter can work that out, there may be groups in your time zone. Don’t be afraid to connect on Facebook also with the Bible Students. Some think internet groups aren’t effective but riding in a car or a plane is certainly better than a horse and buggy. So Jehovah has provided it for everyone.
Don’t worry about your past life. Luke 17:3,4 shows that as far as people sinning against on another they must forgive, even seven times a day.. I assume the witnesses would obey this scripture. You are young. Are there others in your family that are witnesses? Most of us on this site were former witnesses (not all) or they were never witnesses but Bible Students. The witnesses broke away around 1930 and took the name Jehovah Witnesses with Br. Rutherford. By the way the Bible Students don’t put as much interest on the way a person is dressed. It is not a fashion show like at some KH. So just be clean and welcome, don’t worry about clothing. Sincerely Jacqueline
Welcome Olie! I’m an ex-Jw, was one for over 40 years but now I’m reading the Studies in the scriptures volumes. Don’t for ge Jehovah is a very loving and forgiving God…so go ahead to a Jw meeting looking as neat and clean as possible….you’ll be alright:)