https://youtu.be/KjqwfEuHpJI?si=6aHbiTUYGDyiQ3Za
When Jehovah’s Witnesses dedicate their Kingdom Halls, they often refer to the example of Solomon dedicating the Temple in Jerusalem. It’s a solemn moment. The congregation gathers in prayer, expressing heartfelt devotion, acknowledging that the building is now set apart for the worship of Jehovah. The words of Solomon in 1 Kings 8:22-23 echo through time: “O Jehovah, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in the heavens above or on the earth beneath, keeping the covenant and showing loyal love to your servants who are walking before you with all their heart.”
Solomon, with his prayerful dedication, didn’t merely reserve the Temple for sacred use; he symbolized its eternal significance as a place where Jehovah’s name would reside. Now, can you imagine Solomon—after that moving prayer, the sacrifices, and the fire descending from heaven (2 Chronicles 7:1)—turning around and saying, “Well, you know, times are tough. Let’s sell this Temple to the Philistines. Maybe they’ll use it to honor Baal.” Absurd, isn’t it? Even the thought feels like a slap in the face to all that dedication symbolized.
But fast forward to today. The Watchtower organization, which claims to follow the Bible as its guiding light, has made moves that would leave Solomon shaking his head in disbelief. Picture this: a Kingdom Hall, dedicated with heartfelt prayers to Jehovah, sold to the highest bidder just a few years later. And not just any bidder—sometimes, to groups whose practices stand in stark contrast to biblical teachings. How did we get here?
The Bible account in Ezekiel 8 comes to mind. Jehovah brought Ezekiel in a vision to the Temple, and what did he see? Elders of Israel, supposed leaders of the people, engaging in detestable practices right inside Jehovah’s house. In verses 12 and 13, Jehovah says: “Son of man, do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each one in the inner rooms of his idol? For they are saying, ‘Jehovah is not seeing us. Jehovah has left the land.’” Jehovah then told Ezekiel to dig through a wall, revealing hidden abominations. It was a sobering reminder that Jehovah sees everything, even when His supposed servants act as if He’s blind to their actions.
It’s hard not to draw parallels to today. Fear not though we might not have Jehovah’s miraculous powers at our disposal today to see what kind of nonsense they cook up in governnng body meetings but with modern technology we have more than enough tools to bore a proverbial “hole in the wall” at our local sold kingdom hall exposing deeds that some might prefer to keep hidden. Take, for example, the Kingdom Hall in Wythenshawe, Manchester. From 2000 to 2002, it was my congregation Members of the congregation likely shed tears of joy when it was dedicated, brothers and sisters volunteered in its upkeep but fast forward a few years, and that same hall—Jehovah’s dedicated house—is now a mosque. Yes, a mosque, where worshipers bow to Allah, eat pizza on the floor, and play table tennis as you can see from the video.
Now, here’s where things get even more intriguing. Who is Allah? Historically, some scholars have linked Allah to the ancient Arabian deity Hubal, who, in turn, has been associated with Baal. Yes, Baal—the same false god worshiped by the Philistines and other pagan nations, the one that Israel was repeatedly warned to avoid. Baal, who, in New Testament times, shows up as Beelzebub, a name directly linked to Satan. So, to summarize: a hall dedicated to Jehovah has been sold off, transformed into a place where Satan (disguised under another name) is now worshiped. How’s that for irony?
The most galling part is that these sales aren’t isolated incidents. The Watchtower organization has pocketed millions from the sale of Kingdom Halls across the globe. In Britain alone, over £300 million has been raked in from these transactions. And while the leadership might claim that these sales are “necessary” for consolidation or financial reasons, one has to wonder: Did they think Jehovah wasn’t watching? Did they imagine that selling His dedicated houses to pagan worshipers would somehow go unnoticed?
The truth is, when Solomon dedicated the Temple, it wasn’t just about bricks and mortar; it was about loyalty and reverence to Jehovah. To sell a sacred space, turning it over to those who worship another god, isn’t just poor judgment—it’s spiritual betrayal. It’s the same attitude as the elders in Ezekiel’s day: “Jehovah isn’t watching.” Except, of course, He is.
The Kingdom Hall in Wythenshawe is just one example. Multiply this by hundreds, and you begin to see a pattern that raises serious questions about the true priorities of those at the helm of the organization. If Jehovah’s name is so sacred—and it is—then shouldn’t spaces dedicated to Him be treated with the utmost respect, even when times get tough?
So, the next time you hear about a Kingdom Hall dedication, remember Solomon’s prayer, Ezekiel’s vision, and the stark contrast we see today. Jehovah’s standards haven’t changed. The question is: Have the people who claim to serve Him forgotten that?