Posts by R. Jerome Harris

19

Has the WT ever specifically said in print that GB is NOT the FDS in contradiction of current position?

by Pubsinger in

just out of interest.

R. Jerome Harris

The WTBTS - to my knowledge - has never specifically said in print that the GB are not a part of the FDS. Prior to the formation of the WTBTS, Charles Taze Russell (Who founded the International Bible Students Association) was soley considered to be that FDS; no thought was given to a body of men making up a FDS.

The FDS - as when described by the WT in the beginning - were to be viewed as the channel or source of spiritual instruction and "representatives of Christ."

There is a serious problem with this view as Jesus taught at John 14:6 that "he" was the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father but by him.

When an organization enters in and makes itself a representative of Christ and teaches that it is the channel or source of spiritual instruction then it has usurped the role of Christ and it has made itself, "the way, the truth and the life."

There is an insertion and imposition of an organization and a body of men in between mankind and its rightful Owner, Christ Jesus.

Plus we have no teacher (source of spiritual instruction) other than Christ himself. No body of men or organization can be that teacher.

Cain killed his Brother Abel. In a proverbial sense today, religious organization and the men that sit at the top of them have killed Christs teachings and rendered them of no account to the people of the world. It has created a form of Christlike teaching that is false and it has stolen his property that he died for, mankind and treats it as its own.

No 144,000 or anointed thereof exists in this time period. They have not arrived yet and will not arrive until the destruction of this existing world and the promised resurrection occurs. As long as this current world exists, no 144,000 can arrive. Many have been attempting to place them in a time period where they do not belong. They are all of a future time period.

It is men - arrogant and stubborn men - who have an unquenchable thirst to exercise power and control over the household of Christ. And, they have succeeded.

Jesus NEVER taught that the Faithful and Discreet Slave are of the anointed. It is men who are teaching this.

Jesus asked the simple question at Matthew 24:45, "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?"

It is very easy to see who are and who are not faithful and discreet slaves.

In his absence and within Jesus' household there would exist two types of slaves (servants): A faithful and discreet slave and an evil (unfaithful) and non-discreet slave.

A faithful and discreet slave would have remembered and obeyed what Christ taught at Matthew 24:42 and would have been careful and cautious (discreet) not to move forward on his own accord and teach something different from what his Master said at Matthew 24:42.

An unfaithful (evil) and non-discreet slave would ignore what the Master taught at Matthew 24:42 and would move forward teaching what the Master did not.

The faithful and discreet slave would not be teaching that the Master returned and took kingdom power on a certain date (1914). The faithful slave would have remembered what the Master said, "YOU do not know on what day YOUR Lord is coming" and they would be watchful.

The unfaithful and non-discreet slave has announced a time/date (1914) as the time when the Lord came. This slave has not been watchful because since it has announced the date of the Lords coming and believes he is already here, there is no need to be watchful anymore. This is in direct conflict with what Christ taught at Matthew 24, 36, Matthew 24:42 and Acts 1:7. (see Matthew 24:50)

Who really is the faithful and discreet slave? I submit to you: Which of the two slaves within Jesus' household would be concerned with dates, times and seasons? It was the unfaithful (evil) slave.

The faithful slave was not concerned about dates, times and seasons because he knew what the Master said at Matthew 24:42 (YOU do not know on what day YOUR Lord is coming). And so the faithful slave would have simply been in expectation (faithful) of the Lords return but not knowing when he would return.

The unfaithful and evil slave was concerned with times, seasons and dates. How do I know this? Because at Matthew 24:48 this slave would say in his heart, "My master is delaying."

If this evil slave would feel that his Master is delaying, then he must have been EXPECTING him to arrive at a certain time.

The WTBTS had announced prior to the arrival of 1914, that Christ would return and take kingdom power over the earth. Their publications prior to that year is power testimony enough about that fact.

Yet Jesus told his slaves, "Keep on the watch, therefore, because YOU do not know on what day YOUR Lord is coming."

So, who really is the faithful and discreet slave? Answer: It is not the WTBTS or anyone in it.

The faithful and discreet slave are ANY who have been faithful to what Christ said at Matthew 24:42 AND along with that they will be identified by the "beating" they will receive by the powerful and far more numerous evil slave.

The beating of the faithful and discreet slave is not a literal beating. It is anguish inflicted upon the faithful and discreet slave for his/her stand on "being watchful" and not knowing when their Master will return.

The evil and non-discreet slave will be aggressive and insist that the Master return when THEY predicted he did. (1914)

When the events surrounding 1914 do not come to pass as the evil slave had thought and taught, the beatings upon the faithful slave will intensify. Deep down in its heart, the evil slave will know that the faithful slave was correct what will never admit it and will do all he can to shut up the mouths of the faithful slave from exposing the evil slave and its false teachings.

Behold the evil slave: The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. 1914 has proved to be a failed prophecy. As I stated, the time period for the 144000 is not at present but yet future.

Jesus told his slaves: "Keep on the watch, therefore, because YOU do not know on what day YOUR Lord is coming."

This statement made by Jesus shows that the WTBTS (who says it knows when the Lord arrived) is NOT the Faithful and Discreet Slave nor is any member within it. Neither is any "organization" on earth.

There are persons - like myself - who are no longer attached to any religious organization who have placed faith in Christ and what he said at Matthew 24:42 and who expose the evil slaves EVERYWHERE (not just the WTBTS) and we take a beating for that stand. Persons like myself represent a threat to them.

30

How is Genesis scientifically incorrect?

by EndofMysteries in

i'll add many things in the bible i don't agree with, but the bible is a collection of books.

now to make sure i'm reading as closely to what is written in genesis, i look at this hebrew interlinear, because english translating and rearranging of words can change it.

http://www.scripture4all.org/onlineinterlinear/otpdf/gen1.pdf.

R. Jerome Harris

Genesis 1:1 does not speak of a planet coming into being from a cloud of dust. No human knows how the planet came to be. Genesis 1:1 simply makes a statement as to "who" created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:2 and onward, focuses attention on the occurrences on THE EARTH (not anything in the heavens) and preparing the earth so that life can be here. Genesis 1:2 speaks of the surface of the planet being all water (no dry land). This also dismisses the notion that all of the water on the earth came from the flood of Noah's day. The water there at the very beginning. Later we see dry land come up out of the water.
Genesis 1:3 speaks of "Let light come to be." This is NOT speaking about the creation of sources of light. As I said earlier, Genesis does not focus on how anything was created in heaven. It focuses on the creation of the things on then watery planet and preparing it so that life can be placed on it. One has to read Genesis Chapter One as if there was a person standing on earth observing all of it. IF a person was able to stand on the earth, he would be able to see light - NOT the source of the light - but light. The sun, moon, stars and other luminaries were already there. Now an earthly observer (if one could have been there) would see light.
Genesis 1:4-5 speaks about light and darkness. The light was called day and the darkness called night. So if there were an earthly observer he would see that at certain parts of the day the earth was lit up and at other parts of the day it was dark. This is the sun rising and setting. Yet, an earthly observer would not be able to see the source of light (the sun) because the earth was covered with thick clouds because it was all water (water cycle). The sunlight would have been diffused. The earth would have resembled a greenhouse. Perfect for the vegetation that would come later.
Genesis 1:6-8 speaks of an atomsphere (Notice that water is being spoken of as no dry land appears at this point. The part that sits above the water is called heaven. (Where the sun, moon and stars are). Technically, a micro-micro inch above the water is heaven. From an ants perspective, the realm we walk in would be heaven to them. Heaven is ANYTHING "immediately" above the surface.
Genesis 1:9-10 is where we see dry land appear out of the water. (Again, keep in mind the planet being prepared for life to be on it.). This dry land is called "earth." The water that is separated by the dry land coming up are called seas. This means that in those early days the planet was a very windy place (dry land not wet land) and a very volcanic place because land came up out of the water and eventually cooled to create dry land. Also, the atmosphere was hot and smoke-filled from all of the volcanic activity. This smoke-filled atomosphere and no life could exist in it; and it would have made it impossible to see the source of light, the sun directly.
Genesis 1:11-12. Now that there was dry land, grass, vegetation, and trees would eventually grow on it. This implies that the smoke-filled atmosphere caused by the volcanic activity has subsided and that the volcanic activity was not as it was before. It also implies thick clouds, rain and diffused sunlight to sustain growth of the the vegetation.
Genesis 1:14-19. Now if an earthly observer was on earth, he would be able to see the sun, moon and stars. Why, because the atmosphere would not be smoke-filled and the cloud midst would be thinner. This IS NOT the creation of the sun, moon and stars. They are already there. It is that now an earthly observer looking up can see them.

Genesis 1:20-23. Now aquatic life appears in the seas and rivers. This implies that the water temperature is such that it can support life and that there are minerals in the water to sustain that life. As well as birds. There was dry land now and trees for the many variety of birds.
Genesis 1:24-26. We see animals appearing on the dry land. The dinosaur was in this time period (day). The animals would fertilize the dry land.
Genesis 1:27. We see the formation of the man from the dry land. Man did not crawl out of the ocean onto dry land. The first man CAME FROM the dry land (earth). (Genesis 2:7)
The days of the creation were not literal 24 hour days. The earth was not as it is now. And besides, why would recogning of a 24 hour day be needed as no man was around and no time pieces (clocks or watches) existed. The days of creation were "epochs of time" (time periods) each day spanning many 1000s of years. The expression "day" should be understood in the context of "my grandfathers day" or "in the day of the horse and buggy." Not a literal 24 hour day.
Also notice that with reference to the 7th day (in which God rested or stopped creating), the statement "And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a seventh day" has not been made. Why not? Because we are in that "day" at present.
When God's kingdom comes down to the earth, it will then be stated as with the first six "creative periods," "And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a seventh day."

15

Is my purpose to help, fail and suffer?

by TheLonelyOne in

hi folks im coming from far for many, for some maybe bit near.

life has been thought.

even though i'm only 27 pain and problems has been around since my first days.

R. Jerome Harris

Only The Most High God can help you (and any of us) the way you (we) need to be help. No religious organization by any name can do that.
There is a tendency in the world to put our trust in people. As people, we do not know what we are doing.
If I were you (and I am not and I do not know your full circumstance), I would detach myself from any religious organization (if you belong to one) and seek God's help. Put God to the test as He has promised that He will help us.
The problem is that many do not know what to ask of the Father (our Creator). It is like this: Would one rather ask God for some a shovel and some seeds to plant a garden so that they can have food? Or, would one ask God for "His" wisdom, "His" knowledge and "His" Understanding. I would ask for the former because when armed with his wisdom, understanding and knowledge I can then figure out how to get a shovel and seeds to plant a garden. It is by possessing the mind of God that we can navigate through lifes problems. No human or human entity can do that for you.
Their is a passage in the Bible at Isaiah 41:10 that says:
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not gaze about, for I am your God. I will fortify you. I will really help you. I will really keep fast hold of you with my right hand of righteousness.’"
Jesus' own words at Matthew 6:8 counsels, "So, do not make yourselves like them, for God YOUR Father knows what things YOU are needing before ever YOU ask him."
Jesus promises at Matthew 21:22, "And all the things YOU ask in prayer, having faith, YOU will receive.”
(Please read Mark 11:24, Luke 11:9, John 14:13, James 1:5 and 1 John 3:22)
I provide these Scriptures not to preach to you, but so that you can get an idea that it is NOT about what people can do for you, but for what GOD will do for you FOR FREE! No conditions. He just needs to be given the chance to PROVE TO YOU that He can and will straighten you out. And, in the end, you will not be within or associated with any religious organization as they create and perpetuate mental dysfunction.
King David said long ago at Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the Lord (GOD) is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."
This is clear, it is simply saying, "Give God a chance." Not the God described for us by religious organizations, but to the one YOU will call out to in prayer.
Too often, trust is placed in people and the effects of any help will not be long lasting; and, their might be conditions on receiving help from people. (For example, join their church or organization and you will be helped. Read their literature you will be helped. Study with them and you will be helped. That kind of help is at a cost to YOU and thus it is not FREE).
I am a 62 year old man and I have been there. I have risen high and things were fine for a while and then taken very low. As a former JW the Watch Tower organization or my former Brethren did not help me in that time of dire need. Their solution was to study, study, study. Another line of reasoning given was to step it up and spend more time in the Field Ministry and God would bless me for it. The problem I had with all of that was that it was akin to telling a poor and destitute person who is hungry "To go feed himself" or person who is freezing "To put on a coat." They were just words and no action. Rather than actually giving the person food and a warm coat and shelter it is always words, amen at the end of the meetings and everyone goes in their own directions.
You may have an immediate need that needs to be satisfied. For example, a job, money, and peace of mind. Use any power that you may have to do what you can do and move forward - take it one day at a time - and approach God in prayer and ask for the three things I mentioned. Keep asking. Be a pest about it. Expect to be answered. Do not doubt for one moment. Do not waver. Doubt and wavering are tools of the devil and he will use them to tempt you and discourage you during the process. Just recognize what they are.
I am an African American who works and lives in West Africa now. I see how people live over here and it sobers me up and keeps be grounded in the fact that most people in America - even the poor - have it made and are in a much better situation than many who live in certain parts of Africa.
I find myself never complaining about anything anymore and not having this or that or not having enough of this or that.
I find that the materially poor in the world do not suffer from the pandemic of "mental dysfunction or impairment." They may suffer from hunger and other physical ailments, but the mind is intact.
In the Western and developed countries mental problems are rife.
So what I am saying here is that you should keep in mind that there are others in the world who have it far worse.
If possible, move out of the country to a place in the world where life is simpler and the pressures of living (which cause stress and accelerated aging). There are many places in Africa and Asia (even Iceland where I used to live) where one can live cheaply, stress free, and have time to find themselves and be happy.
You can always return to the USA (or where you live) if your circumstances permit it.

13

The god of the bible doesn't care and here's some proof.

by Crazyguy in

around 600 ad a man named muhammed created a book called the quran.

a few hundred years later the followers of this new religion called islam went on a holy crusade out of arabia to spread their religion.

in one key battle they were met by the ruling government army and were out numbered at least by 3 to 1. they could of easily lost and if god would of made sure of this most likely thier religion would of stayed an insagnificant religion of just arabia.

R. Jerome Harris

There is no "God of the Bible." There is only "God." The Most High. The Creator of the heavens and the earth.

I never did like the expression "God of the Bible" because it makes it appear as if a book - The Bible - is the authority and The One and Only God is hemmed up and imprisoned in a book that men compiled and thoroughly screwed up.

The Most High God is Spirit and NOT within ANYTHING devised by man: His religious organizations or his so-called holy books or portrayals of him as a man (a White man) in art, film and literature.

Thus, God the invisible Spirit can only be accessed and communicated by the things NOT devised by man: Prayer.

Our worship of Him can only be by Spirit and Truth. Not via the confines religious organizations or through books.

17

How do the JW's get around this scripture??

by Crazyguy in

hebrews 9:27new international version (niv).

27 just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, .

.

R. Jerome Harris

The curse of death pronounced upon Adam has not been lifted. We all WILL die. Even Jesus was not an exception.

To understand Hebrews 9:27, one must understand:

1. The difference between dying and perishing.

2. Know what First Birth, First Death, Second Birth and Second Death are.

Dying and Perishing

When God sent His only begotten Son, was it for the purpose of preventing the world of mankind from dying? No! John 3:16 says from "perishing."

If one perishes they cease to exist; even as a dead person. Recall that the first man Adam existed in two forms: As a dead soul and when God breathed into his nostrils he became a living soul. Yet, Adam existed. Existed where? In God's memory. (Book of Life).

If a person dies, they have not perished because they exists in God's memory and will be resurrected. (John 5:28-29)

So we all DIE once.

First Birth, First Death, Second Birth and Second Death

The Bible at Revelation 20:14 speaks of something called The Second Death. This implies that there must be a First Death. If there is a First Death, there must be a First Birth. If there is a First Birth, there must be a Second Birth.

All ever born on earth have a First Birth. We all have a biological mother and father. Adam and Eve were exceptions. God created them. All on earth die. This is our First Death. There is no escaping it.

Now what happens on the other side of our First Death?

Jesus spoke about it with the Pharisee Nicodemus and Nicodemus did not understand him. Jesus used the expression "Born Again."

Born Again implies that a person had a first birth. How can a person be born again unless they were first born? That was essentially what Nicodemus did not understand. Yet, what Jesus was referring to when he spoke of being "Born Again" was being born again from the dead: The Resurrection.

When a person is first born and they take their first breath, what that person has standing inevitably in front of him is an eventual death. (first death)

Upon being resurrected (born again) a person has a Second Birth. At ones resurrection what now stands in front of the person? Another literal death? No! What stands in front of him is the prospect of "perishing" or removed from God's memory. If one is not in God's memory, that person does not exist, not even as a dead person. This perishing is called The Second Death which is the Lake of Fire at Revelation 20:14.

The Lake of Fire (Second Death) is a symbol of nonexistence. Anything placed in The Lake of Fire ceases to exist; it is out of God's memory.

The Second Death (Lake of Fire) can be likened to taking a piece of paper and throwing it into a literal fire. The paper is consumed and ceases to be. It cannot be restored back to paper. It is gone! It ceases to exist.

The Second Death (The Lake of Fire) is not a literal place. The reason why this is certain is to look at what is thrown into it. Death itself and Hell itself are thrown into it. One cannot literally burn death and hell. That death and hell are thrown into the Second Death (The Lake of Fire) is another way of saying that both death and hell will one day "be no more." They will cease to exist!

Rev 21:4 confirms this as it says, "... and death will be no more." Why is that? Because we are previously told at Rev 20:14 that death was thrown into the Second Death (The Lake of Fire).

So yes, we ALL will die once. We ALL will experience a Second Birth (resurrection as promised by Christ). But at our resurrections we face the judgment of perishing (Second Death) if we PURPOSEFULLY and WILLING sin against God WHEN we are FULLY KNOWING (knowledgeable). When we are Fully Knowledgeable (knowing good and bad) then there is no more forgiveness for sin. The sin we commit when we are fully knowledgeable knowing good and bad is what is called the "unforgivable sin" or "the sin that cannot be forgiven."

No one today can possibly commit this type of sin because we "DO NOT" know good and bad. Jesus asked forgiveness for those who persecuted and executed him. Why? Because they DID NOT KNOW what they were doing. Their bad act was forgiven.

Any bad act anyone commits today will be forgiven because WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING.

Yet a time will come when Christ will teach ALL resurrected God's righteousness (the knowing of good and bad). This will take up to 1000 years during his paradise rule over the earth.

By the time his 1000 year kingdom ends, no human on earth will be without excuse. That time AFTER Christs rule ends will be a time of faithful endurance as Satan will be released upon ALL of mankind and will mislead them. An angel will come with a message and awaken the misled. (Rev 14:6) Those who do not respond to that message will do so knowingly and defiantly. They will be without excuse. That is what is called the sin that cannot be forgiven. Christ can no longer ask the Father in our behalf in those future days, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing? All of mankind will one day know what it is doing and thus there cannot be forgiveness for sin anymore.

The third and last World Order is of God. There will be no others.

38

What is the main reason the Watchtower Society baptize their children so young?

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

jesus was thirty was he was baptized.

today, you hear of young children getting baptized as young as 10 years old.

the parents, family and congregation think it's a wonderful idea that someone dedicates their life to jehovah at such a young age.

R. Jerome Harris

Water baptism is NOT Christs baptism. It was the baptism of John the Baptizer. Jesus' baptism would be greater than John The Baptizers. His would be with Holy Spirit and Fire. (Matthew 3:11)

Yes, Jesus allowed himself to get baptized with water by John but that was for a reason. Jesus was making a public display to all present who were getting baptized by John that from that day forward, discipleship will cease and so will his baptism. All discipleship will be to Christ and he will baptize with holy spirit and fire. Even John did not want to baptize Jesus with "his"baptism in water because he knew that his ministry was diminishing and another one was starting and it would have a GREATER baptism.

So this tradition of water baptism today is all wrong.

One should ask themselves: Why do we not see Jesus baptizing any of his disciples in water? Why do why not see Jesus' disciples baptizing each other or other who wanted to be disciples of Christ in water? Because they did not practice water baptism and would not have. They knew that Jesus' baptism would be with holy spirit and fire.

Some will say what about the Ethiopian eunuch of Acts Chapter 8 got baptized in water. Acts 8:37 is missing in many Bible translations. I believe it was removed and a story was fabricated to push "water" baptism. I really believe this is what happened. Why? Because it is inconsistent with Jesus' baptism.

This ploy has worked. What do people think about when baptism is mentioned? Water baptism, not baptism with holy spirit and fire (Jesus' baptism).

While we DO NOT read of Jesus himself baptizing even the men he chose (The 12 Apostles) in water, we DO read of him sending and baptizing his disciples with holy spirit and fire. NEVER with water. This is consistent with his baptism. (Acts 2:1-4)

15

No Black or woman became Pope or WT President—reveals what?

by abiather in

sending a messenger nearly 2000 years in advance to preach the coming of gods kingdom, and leaving the message to be carried out by his followers who would practice just the opposite of his message [eg.

catholics cannot accept a pope if he is from a black community or if sex is female, just like jws could not tolerate a black/woman wt president, which is in sharp contrast to what jesus himself practicedhe showed no partiality with regard to sex or communityhe elevated a samaritan woman sharing with her great truth, even before he did it with his own male-disciplesjohn chapter 4].

claiming something as his own, and then allowing it to decay do not befit gods superlative style!.

R. Jerome Harris

It must be understood that we live in a "European-based" conceived universe. In other words, a world men have built up for themselves. (a celebrated name for themselves).

It is not logical for Adam, Eve, Angels, Jesus, The Prophets, The Apostles and others to be portrayed in art, film, literature and religion in the likeness of the man of European descent UNLESS the world and universe is a conception of the man of European descent.

No one in recent times has ever seen Adam, Eve, Jesus, The Prophets and others to portray them in ANY likeness. No human has certainly never seen an angel in its natural form or God as they are invisible to portray them in a physical way.

The problem many face today is that there is an insistence to portray those persons I just mentioned as I have described. There is an insistence to define them within the confines of a European conceived universe.

How many people do you know who would ever envision Adam, Eve, Jesus, Angels, etc in the likeness of the African for example. The African - for example - has not defined the universe.

If there are African scholars or geniuses of old they would never be known by the world at large. Persons like Einstein or Picasso would be hailed as a geniuses. Butchers such as Alexander the Great is called "Great" when in fact he was a tyrant. My point is that the man of European descent has created a world and set the rules that all are to accept and subscribe to.

So it should not be surprising to see Popes who are all White and the Governing Body of the Watch Tower as being ALWAYS male and ALWAYS predominately a White mans club from the beginning. (Yes, Nathan Heard a Black man is a relatively recent addition but that came as a result of questions and pressure from people of color AND Mr. Heard is a token Negro. I know him well and his mindset is thoroughly European and there are no vestiges of African in him.)

Today many persons - especially within religion - look to external things as skin color. Many look to revering men as leaders. One of the purposes of religious organizations is to keep persons divided, gather them into "groups" and to promote the "visible" thing; to promote people as holy and pious.

[ off-topic religious preaching / rambling removed ]

50

My mother says I should just DA already.

by Julia Orwell in

cut the cord.

sever all ties.

start new.. and she's right.

R. Jerome Harris

I am a former JW of more than 30 years (Disassociated now for more than 5 years). You will heal. But you MUST remove the element of emotion from the equation. Emotion is the cancer - if held on to - will consume you and slow down the healing process.
There is no such thing as a "cult." It is a convenient and subjective expression people use who do not like the religion of others. It is a cheap way to place a shield around a religious organizations who are not defined as cults. It is an emotionally spun expression that controls the minds of those who believe it is real. The Watch Tower is not a cult. ALL religious organizations are cults if that is the case. It is like ALL religious organizations claiming to be of God and Christ: Impostors who have deviated from the teachings of Christ. They ALL claim to know God and Christ but ALL are far removed from them. The lesson here is not to let yourself be taken captive again by religious organization.
What you do not want to do is lose faith and confidence in God and Christ. They are accessible OUTSIDE of religious organization. Prayer is the most powerful tool we have (but the least used) to communicate with The Most High God.
Too many people leave the Watch Tower and go off the deep end. They blame the religious organization for their station in life. We ourselves made the decision to join that organization and we should take responsibility for the decision we made.
I gave up a military career to become one of JWs. I had four more years to put in 20 years to get my retirement. I gave it all up.
Yet, I realized that I had been blessed in unimaginable ways mentally, spiritually, financially, and educationally.
I am glad I experienced those many years as a JW because I can converse with any JW or persons thinking about becoming one and show them that Christ is not within any religious organization and that teachings such a 1914 is rooted on a false foundation. I know how JWs think. I find JWs who come to my door (I am an American who lives in Africa and JWs over here do not know anything about me) are astounded at the things I explain and show them. Few have actually left the Watch Tower and some are beginning to question things the Watch Tower has kept hidden from them.
How did I do it? First, I did not allow the Watch Tower to dictate to me who I am with relation to God. Second, I refused to ascribe and accept the labels the organization places on those who are not its members. I am not an apostate because Watch Tower says I am. I am a disciple of Christ as Christ directed us to be. No fancy names or titles. Thirdly, I put to the test the Watch Tower organization teachings (1 John 4:1) and found that it has failed miserably. Fourthly, I strictly place my trust and confidence in God and Christ, NOT humans and human entities (organizations). I shun All religious organizations as they are NOT from God and Christ. They are impostors and counterfeits. Fifthly, I DO NOT view the Bible as The Word of God. I view Christ as the ONLY Word of God. Six, I obey God's command at Luke 9:35 that I am to listen ONLY to his son (My Master) and not the voices (teachings) issuing out of religious organizations. Seventh, I use prayer to get God's wisdom, God's understanding and God's knowledge. I will not lean upon my own or that of others. Eight, I resist losing control or getting emotional over religion. Speak what Christ taught and if the Watch Tower has a problem with it is their problem not mine. Nine, view all persons within religious organizations as Jesus did: Sheep without a Shepherd. People are victims and captives. Ten, show geniune love and respect to all persons even if they do not like me and what I believe. Eleven, be for real. People know when one is being pretentious. Twelve: Teach others what Christ has taught (and continues to teach) me.
Stay away from "cult counselors" and people who want you to join THEIR religion or attend THEIR church. These people know that you are vulnerable and will come after you expressing "emotion" and so-called understanding and reel you in. You will have jumped out of one frying pan to another.
Above all, ask God to help you and ask him to straighten you out. Do not trust that people will. Help from people usually comes at some price.
I tell you the truth: Count it as a blessing NOT to be associated with ANY religious organization. Neither God or Christ commanded that we go into them.
I tell you another truth: Since my DA, I feel so liberated. I now know what Jesus meant when he said that one becomes "his" disciple THEN they will know the truth and the truth will set you FREE.
I am free from the tight controls of the Watch Tower. I can express love and concern for anyone and not have the Watch Tower dictate to me who I can and cannot talk to; what I can or cannot read; etc.
There is freedom when one sits themselves down at the feet of Christ and attach (member) themselves to him and NOT attach themselves (become members) of these religious organizations. They are all about power and control of the individual. The Master Christ is not about that. He promised to lift our burderns. Religious organizations place heavy burdens upon people.
Please visit my website at e-prophetic.com and I am sure you will find an article or two that may help you.
I have helped many persons. I do not try to get anyone to leave a religious organization. That is not my place to do that. I provide them with information and insight so that they can make that decision for themselves.
It is not enough to leave a religious, it is vital that a person knows WHY they leave. They must be certain about it or they will be forever haunted by guilt and uncertainty.
It is also important to know where to go and where not to go once freed. Do not go bad or go off the deep in. Do not enter into ANY religious organization by "any name."
Be resolved.
You will find yourself and you will like who you find.

52

Why I like Jehovah's Witnesses

by undercover witness in

i keep reading that jehovah's witnesses are in effect monsters.

i keep reading that they kinda leave chaos and distrust in their wake.

so i simply wondered if anyone had anything nice to say about them?.

R. Jerome Harris

I am a former JW of more than 30 years. I can assure you that JWs are - in general - good and sincere persons who believe what they are doing is God's will. However ...

Being good and decent and believing one is doing God's will is not owned exclusively by Jehovah's Witnesses. One will find persons like that in ALL of the religious organizations and religious systems on the earth.

I can also tell you that JWs are people like other people who have their share of problems; many of them very serious ones. I can also tell you that there are bad and wicked persons within the Watchtower like you find in other religious organizations. If all were good, there would be no need to have a practice of disfellowshipment would there. Yet, there are many JWs who are engaged in outright bad conduct but who do not get caught.

I know of a JW married woman who is actively having an affair with a co-worker. She even told me that she knows it is wrong but has fallen in love with the person and not willing - just yet - to stop.

I am an African American who now lives in West Africa and I can assure you that the JWs here and the ones who sit in air conditioned and carpeted kingdom Halls live in two entirely different worlds with two entirely different mindsets. Poverty and hunger can make a JW "play with their beliefs" and perform acts of vice one would not otherwise commit if in a Kingdom Hall in the United States who live in "relative" luxury.

People tend to measure up JWs based on what "THEY" personally see and experience in their immediate environment. Yet, outside the King Halls and behind closed doors one will find many cases where one will say to themselves, "He/She is a Jehovah's Witness?"

Jehovah's Witnesses are very good at putting on false/fake smiles when they speak with persons. Yet, all too often when persons they once expressed such "warmth" towards expresses doubts, questions,challenges or even investigates the teachings and/or the organization, that warmth is turned off like a light switch.

I personally has assisted friends and family members into the organization when I was one of JWs. Even to this day, I far exceed them in experience and knowledge. When I disassociated myself, they will have nothing to do with me. I know that Christ never shunned or condemned anyone. (e.g. the adulterous woman, the evil-doer he promised paradise, the persons who persecuted and executed him. He ask that they be forgiven).

The policy of disfellowshipping or casting out may be a "Bible" teaching, but it is NOT a teaching of Christ. The Bible is NOT the Word of God, Christ is.

JWs, like persons of all religious organizations in the world, are in captivity to a "system" a "concept" and to men. It is "the organization" or "the religion" that is their God. The organization is feared. Fear of what "the organization" can do to them.

Until one rises above the thick clouds of deception that are everywhere - including the Watch Tower - and realize that God did not send His Son into the world of mankind to create religion or Jehovah's Witnesses. He sent His son to establish a Brotherhood. That is, each individual - upon learning from Christ - passes that "bread" and "water" (his teachings) to others. And they to others WITHOUT establishing divisive and bickering organizations. As that is NOT a brotherhood.

Yet, the world today is divided. Christs household is divided and each member of that household - though they believe and teach Christ differently and false - each claim they are right and all others are wrong.

I can tell you that JWs are victims as well. They too - like all of the others - have been misled and have dealt in deception and concealment.

That JWs are warned not to speak with disfellowhipped and disassociated ones or not to read what THEY define as apostate literature should tell one something.

If what the Watch Tower is teaching is the truth, why would it care who its members talk to or what they read? Unless ...

It fears discovery and exposure of that which has been hidden. There is no need for any religious organization to prevent, block or implement policies of punishment if one is caught listening to anyone other than the Watch Tower.

"The truth has strength to stand on its own."

There is no need to defend the truth

The closer one gets to the truth, the more that is revealed.

This is why the leadership Watch Tower organization (Governing Body) diligently keeps its membership focused on "The Bible" , "The Publications" and "The Organization" but NONE of those things are THE TRUTH. ONLY Christ is. (John 14:6)

The organization well knows that if it truly started promoting Christ as "The Word of God" instead of "The Bible," that what it is teaching would be exposed by the "light" of Christs truth.

Test this for yourself. Pay a visit to the official Watch Tower website at www.jw.org and count the number of times Christ is mentioned in comparison to "The Bible" being mentioned.

The Bible wins hands down.

The Bible has replaced Christ as "The Word of God."

Notice on the website that it is "The Bible" that teaches. NOT Christ that teaches. (Matthew 23:8)

Wake up people! You are being led down a path to revere "things" (Bible, publications, Governing Body, the organization) rather than God and His Son.

The serpent (devil) knows how to be nice when he needs to. You all know how well-mannered he was with Eve.

So it would be blind to think that JWs

11

Help with an entrenched family memeber

by budbayview in

jw
friends

wanted to send this to my "active" sister in hopes of awakening her, comments welcome.

she thinks i am a heathen apostate.... losing my religion.

preface.

R. Jerome Harris

We all have a defect and flaw in our thinking and this defect is what prevents persons from understanding and respecting one another.
Defect one: Each thinks his/her religion is the right one and all others are cults. (The word cult comes from the root word "culture" but it has really been redefined as "a religion or belief system that does not agree with our own." My point is that it is arrogant to define the religions of others as a "cult" because we personally don't like that religion. Christ never went around doing such a thing. People today create their own divisions while at the same time claiming to follow Christ.
Defect Two: Christ never told anyone to be known as a "Christian." He never called himself a Christian, he never addressed his disciples as Christians, and his disciples never addressed each other by that title either. The few times "Christian" and "Christians" are used in the Bible is by persons who were not followers of Christ. Christ simply told us to be known as his disciples. Not by all of these fancy titles men have created for themselves.
Defect Three: Placing the Bible above Christ. All to often I see persons referring to the Bible as if it is The Word of God. It gets the credit and props that should otherwise be going to the ONLY one who is The Word of God: Christ Jesus. People will say, "The Bible says ..." "The Bible teaches ..." If Jesus himself says it, they will say "The Bible says at John 14:6 (for example) ..." The Most High God has COMMANDED that we listen only to the one He sent. This is stated at Luke 9:35. That means that we do not listen to the voices of humans and human entities or books. We listen to the living Son of God "who is" The Word of God. No book by any name should be given that lofty and holy title. But men have elevated a book to that level and even make it The Word of God also. God did not command the listen of to a book, but to a person: His Son.
Defect Four: No Gospel. No one can lift from what is written in the book named by men - The Bible - what the Gospel message is. Jesus said that Matthew 24:14 that a Good News of the Kingdom message will be preached to all of the inhabited earth - as a witness to it - then the end will come. The false assumption made by men is that they think God has commissioned them to preach it. Jesus never said that any human would preach a Good News of the Kingdom message. Never! Additionally, no can show what exactly that message is. I know that JWs think it is placing WT literature and conducting Bible studies and assisting others to join "The Organization" is preaching the Good News of the Kingdom. It is not. Revelation 14:6 is very clear as to who will declare the Good News message. It will be one solitary angel.That Kingdom message will be given to this angel to declare. Christ is the "Faithful Witness" and he is that angel who will declare that Good News message announcing the coming down of God's Kingdom. No imperfect human can declare such a perfect message. It has not and it will not be given to men to humans to preach. None of us has earned that right. Only Christ has. So what the Watch Tower is preaching - or any other so-called Christian organization - is not a Gospel message. They are all preaching a false message they THEY THEMSELVES have defined as "The Gospel." I challenge anyone to show we WHAT that Good News message is. Ask 10 people on the street and they do not know what it is. Ask 10 JWs and you will get a different answer. No one knows because that message has not been given yet and will not be given until AFTER Christs future 1000 year kingdom over the earth has come and gone. It will be preached during the time of Satan's ascension out of the abyss, will have set up his Beatly throne on the earth, when all of mankind will have been resurrected by Christ and gone through that 1000 years. Satan will mislead that future world of ALL of resurrected mankind. (Rev 20:7-8)
Defect Five: Not Bible Studies. Christ did not command us to make "Bible Studies." He ask that we make disciples to him. The word disciple means "student." This implies a teacher. Thus, we become students (disciples) of Christ NOT students or disciples of the Bible. Christ is our Teacher, not the Bible. Like I said earlier, a book has subtly usurped and replaced Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20)

Defect Six: Study of publications rather than study of Christ. I know as a former JW that what are called "Bible Studies" by JWs are really "Studies of Watchtower Publications." Those publications are designed to "train" and "direct" the mind in the way of the thinking and philosophy of the Watch Tower organization. One will often note that when matters of discussion on a particular topic comes up, many persons will either refer to "The Bible" or to what is stated in one of the Watch Tower publications RATHER than having the mindset of what "Christ says" or taught about it. My point is that EVERYONE and EVERYTHING else is consulted and referred to except the actual sayings and teachings of Christ. After The Most God commands that one listens to His Son, why should any care what anyone or anything says? Satan himself is quoted in "The Bible" as well as many other persons. But none will say that Satan's words are "The Word of God!" Yet, he is quoted in book that many call The Word of God.
The only way you can help your Sister is by you yourself knowing the "mind of Christ" and his teachings. (Notice that I did not say the mind of the Bible or some religious organization).
It is not your mission to change your Sister. Your goal should be to know "The Truth" (Christs teachings) and then plant them (teach them to others) and God will be the one to effect change in a person.

"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

If anyone credits a book called the Bible, or a religious organization or any human agency with changing them, then they do not have the truth. Only God can impact such a change in persons. Those things ARE NOT God.
If you want to know the truth, let me tell you how to know it: Enter into a private place away from the eyes and ears of others. Ask the Father in heaven (through the channel of his Son) for His wisdom, His knowledge and His understanding. Let him know that you want to know the truth FROM HIM and not through the religious organizations of this world. You MUST NOT lean upon your own wisdom, knowledge and understanding or of that of others or of religious organizations. (This is very hard to do). Be sincere and persistent in your request from The Most High God. (God knows your heart and you will not be fool Him). Expect to be answered not on your timetable, but on the Eternal God's timetable.
Reject the notion that God will answer you through the Bible, persons or religious organizations. That will not be possible and here is why: Only Christ is "The Way, The Truth and The Life." If anyone believes that God answers them through these things, then Christ is not the Way to them, those things are.
The only possible way God communicates with us is through the one He appointed as "His Word" Christ Jesus. Thus, the Bible cannot be The Word of God and no human agency (religious organization) can be used to receive anything from God and then it is given to people as religious organization is NOT Gods Word either. It flows from God through His Son directly to us via Holy Spirit.
That Christ has ascended, he can no longer be seen. Thus, we must exercise faith in him. (Heb 11:1) It takes no faith in the thing that can be seen. One can see a book and a religious organization can they? Yet, these are the THINGS that people put their trust and faith in.
Only God can help you and your Sister and all of us. But we have to want to know the truth no matter how painful it will be. And I guarantee you, the truth is not easy to hear, accept and digest in THIS world. But it will be the truth.
No religious organization by ANY NAME or CLAIM is the truth or has the truth. Christ has NEVER been within any of them. Rather, he has been "without of them." (Hebrews 13:11-14)
The truth is only with Christ. He is not an organization, he is a living person. That he is alive yet many act as if he is dead! That he is alive speak to your Master and LISTEN TO HIM. (Luke 9:35)
You will be hated by religious organizations - especially the foretold impostor, Christianity - for listening to Christ. (Matthew 24:4-5)
Yet, prayer to the Father in heaven is vital as he is the source of wisdom, understanding and knowledge and truth and it will be given to any seeking them.
But it will be given only through His Son. So guess who you MUST become a disciple of?
One must reject the teachings of ALL of the religious organizations of the world. None are of God and Christ.
When you do that, you will then understand what it feels like to be in a wilderness like the Master was. But you will have and know the truth.