Posts by raymond frantz

19

New here

by AdamCzarnobay in

jw
friends

i left the organization in 2017.. was in several congregations in the north west of england.

i just wanted to say thank you to all of you that have posted on here over the years, it really helped me to see the truth about the organization.

i lurked here for many years under an anonymous login and then finally plucked up the courage to write my disassociation letter.. adam.

raymond frantz

Welcome on board, North West of England too here, if you want to meet or facetime PM me

20

Defend Your Borders or Listen to the Watchtower?

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/dnoww-4jfao?si=ehzmc5-gxqukgn7q.

with ww3 on the horizon the watchtower is bringing out their best hits on the issue of neutrality and the latest instalment on jw.org with stephen lett has the theme " why ancient israelites were allowed to go to war but as a christian you can't " or to paraphrase for a 2024 audience " why the modern state of israel is allowed all the nuclear weapons to defend their borders but you as a western european or north american you aren't supposed to compliant against open border policies and uncontrolled illegal migration" isn't that the exact same rhetoric or is it my imagination?

so one of stephen lett's go to arguments is that christians do not take up arms because we don't live in ancient times where israelites had a mandate to occupy the holy land where as we gentile christians we don't.

raymond frantz

@Duran

he Bible is clear there will be nation states in the Millennium:

Nations Will Exist to Worship the Lord

Revelation 21:24:
"The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it."
This verse describes the New Jerusalem but implies that nations and their leaders continue to exist, contributing their glory to God’s kingdom. It suggests a diversity of peoples and governance under Christ's rule.
Isaiah 2:2-4:
"In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains... All nations will stream to it."
Nations are portrayed as distinct entities that come to worship God, reflecting their preserved identity and role.

20

Defend Your Borders or Listen to the Watchtower?

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/dnoww-4jfao?si=ehzmc5-gxqukgn7q.

with ww3 on the horizon the watchtower is bringing out their best hits on the issue of neutrality and the latest instalment on jw.org with stephen lett has the theme " why ancient israelites were allowed to go to war but as a christian you can't " or to paraphrase for a 2024 audience " why the modern state of israel is allowed all the nuclear weapons to defend their borders but you as a western european or north american you aren't supposed to compliant against open border policies and uncontrolled illegal migration" isn't that the exact same rhetoric or is it my imagination?

so one of stephen lett's go to arguments is that christians do not take up arms because we don't live in ancient times where israelites had a mandate to occupy the holy land where as we gentile christians we don't.

raymond frantz

Duran , I agree with you, the Antichrist is God's punishment for mankind nevertheless his purpose post tower of Babel has been a world of borders and distinct national identities. I find nothing with that. I prefer a world where people are allowed to be part of their local national entity with distinct language ,history and culture, the alternative is the current mess we experience at the moment

20

Defend Your Borders or Listen to the Watchtower?

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/dnoww-4jfao?si=ehzmc5-gxqukgn7q.

with ww3 on the horizon the watchtower is bringing out their best hits on the issue of neutrality and the latest instalment on jw.org with stephen lett has the theme " why ancient israelites were allowed to go to war but as a christian you can't " or to paraphrase for a 2024 audience " why the modern state of israel is allowed all the nuclear weapons to defend their borders but you as a western european or north american you aren't supposed to compliant against open border policies and uncontrolled illegal migration" isn't that the exact same rhetoric or is it my imagination?

so one of stephen lett's go to arguments is that christians do not take up arms because we don't live in ancient times where israelites had a mandate to occupy the holy land where as we gentile christians we don't.

raymond frantz

@Just a guy, I agree, so far they were fighting a proxy war, but rhe masks gave come off for good now

20

Defend Your Borders or Listen to the Watchtower?

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/dnoww-4jfao?si=ehzmc5-gxqukgn7q.

with ww3 on the horizon the watchtower is bringing out their best hits on the issue of neutrality and the latest instalment on jw.org with stephen lett has the theme " why ancient israelites were allowed to go to war but as a christian you can't " or to paraphrase for a 2024 audience " why the modern state of israel is allowed all the nuclear weapons to defend their borders but you as a western european or north american you aren't supposed to compliant against open border policies and uncontrolled illegal migration" isn't that the exact same rhetoric or is it my imagination?

so one of stephen lett's go to arguments is that christians do not take up arms because we don't live in ancient times where israelites had a mandate to occupy the holy land where as we gentile christians we don't.

raymond frantz

I'm not quite sure what you mean? What is your ideal post and why?

20

Defend Your Borders or Listen to the Watchtower?

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/dnoww-4jfao?si=ehzmc5-gxqukgn7q.

with ww3 on the horizon the watchtower is bringing out their best hits on the issue of neutrality and the latest instalment on jw.org with stephen lett has the theme " why ancient israelites were allowed to go to war but as a christian you can't " or to paraphrase for a 2024 audience " why the modern state of israel is allowed all the nuclear weapons to defend their borders but you as a western european or north american you aren't supposed to compliant against open border policies and uncontrolled illegal migration" isn't that the exact same rhetoric or is it my imagination?

so one of stephen lett's go to arguments is that christians do not take up arms because we don't live in ancient times where israelites had a mandate to occupy the holy land where as we gentile christians we don't.

raymond frantz

https://youtu.be/dNowW-4Jfao?si=ehzMc5-GXQUkgN7Q

With WW3 on the horizon the Watchtower is bringing out their best hits on the issue of neutrality and the latest instalment on jw.org with Stephen Lett has the theme " Why ancient Israelites were allowed to go to war but as a Christian you can't " or to paraphrase for a 2024 audience " Why the modern state of Israel is allowed all the nuclear weapons to defend their borders but you as a Western European or North American you aren't supposed to compliant against open border policies and uncontrolled illegal migration" Isn't that the exact same rhetoric or is it my imagination? So one of Stephen Lett's go to arguments is that Christians do not take up arms because we don't live in ancient times where Israelites had a mandate to occupy the Holy Land where as we Gentile Christians we don't. But I'm here to make the exact opposite argument using Scriptures (but before we do that, let’s see what our favourite jw clown has to say...)
So here are some verses that you won't find in the Watchtower publications to support my argument. The Bible makes it clear that God has established nations and their borders, and defending those borders is part of maintaining the order He set in place. Acts 17:26 states, “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.” Notice, God didn’t just create people and let them roam freely without limits—He assigned nations their specific territories and boundaries. These aren’t arbitrary lines; they’re part of God’s divine arrangement.
Now, here’s where things get tricky. The Watchtower promotes a position of neutrality, insisting that Christians shouldn’t participate in any form of warfare, even if it means defending their homeland. But how does that align with God’s plan for nations to have and maintain their borders? After all, what good is a border if it’s left wide open or undefended? Romans 13:1-4, which they love to quote alot, gives governments the authority to maintain law and order, which would naturally include protecting their borders, right?: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed.” Clearly, protecting a nation’s borders is part of the God-given role of governments, and it requires participation from their citizens.
Let’s not forget Nehemiah’s example. When the Israelites, came back from Babylon and were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, their enemies threatened to attack. Did Nehemiah tell everyone to throw up their hands in neutrality? Hardly. Instead, he told them in Nehemiah 4:14, *“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”So I say what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Nehemiah understood that defending their territory was essential to preserving their identity and protecting their families. And guess what? God didn’t rebuke them for it.
But here’s the irony: The Watchtower historically took a strong stance against globalism,not anymore, warning about a “new world order” that seeks to erase borders and create one unified system, much like the Tower of Babel. Genesis 11:4 records the people’s rebellious intent: “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” God’s response? “So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth.” (Genesis 11:8). Clearly, God values diversity and distinct nations, not one centralized global society.
Yet, by promoting absolute neutrality, the Watchtower’s stance inadvertently aids this very globalist agenda that supposedly opposes. If nations can not defend their borders because their citizens refuse to participate, what’s left to stop a borderless, centralized system? It’s like locking the door to your house, but leaving the keys in the lock—it defeats the purpose.
Christians are called to be peacemakers, but that doesn’t mean passivity in the face of threats. The Bible shows that defending one’s homeland and borders can be both righteous and necessary. When God establishes nations and boundaries, He expects them to be maintained, not left undefended. By refusing any involvement in defending those borders, the Watchtower’s stance undermines the very order God has set in place. Surely, there’s room for Christians to support the preservation of what God has ordained without compromising their faith.
Now, having said that, if there was a WW3 in Europe tomorrow will I send my son to die in that war? Absolutely not, modern Western European countries and their North American counterparts have already been taken over by the same globalist elites that will use wars, famines and pestilences to bring about an end to borders and national identities for their precious New World Order. They can achieve that with the blood of their children not mine! So my advise is fo not listen to the Watchtower’s false narrative for neutrality be the master of your security and act in accordance to your local circumstances not those of Stephen Letts.

5

The Last will not be as bad you think

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/4sxc3gncea8?si=lrs70jrmduogxlwn.

hi guys today im considering the second part from david schafer's recent talk, where he goes through a few prophetic signs of the end and the most up to date understanding of the watchtower, i did cover on my last video the most up to date understanding on the "hailstone message" please go back and watch it and today im considering this very dangerous understanding the watchtower has developed recently that things can not get any worse.

of course, that's what happens when you isolate yourself as leadership from the daily struggle of your membership and you live carefree life in leafy upstate new york eirh everything paid for.

raymond frantz

https://youtu.be/4SXC3gNCea8?si=LrS70jRmdUoGxLwN

Hi guys today im considering the second part from David Schafer's recent talk, where he goes through a few prophetic signs of the End and the most up to date understanding of the Watchtower, I did cover on my last video the most up to date understanding on the "Hailstone message" please go back and watch it and today im considering this very dangerous understanding the Watchtower has developed recently that things can not get any worse. Of course, that's what happens when you isolate yourself as leadership from the daily struggle of your membership and you live carefree life in leafy upstate New York eirh everything paid for.
This is another attempt from the Watchtower to lule you into a false sense of security.They say Don't worry things will not get as bad as you think, you can still have your Bible studies and return calls even during the time of the End, this is dangerous and reminds me the verse where the false prophets of Israel were crying "Peace,Peace but there is no peace".So let's hear it from the horse's mouth....

So here is the paragraph in question that David Schafer is referring to from August 15 ,2015. Watchtower:
"But how bad do you expect conditions to become before “the great tribulation”? (Rev. 7:14) For example, do you expect that there will be a war in every country, no food on anyone’s table, and illness in every household? Under those conditions, even sceptics would likely feel compelled to admit that Bible prophecy was undergoing fulfilment. However, Jesus said that most people would take “no note” of his presence, carrying on with life’s normal activities until it is too late. (Read Matthew 24:37-39.) Thus, the Scriptures indicate that world conditions during the last days would not become so extreme that people would be forced to believe that the end is near.—Luke 17:20; 2 Pet. 3:3, 4.
########
This understanding is based on the Watchtower take that we're already living in the last days since 1914, if this true that raises a major question: If this is the "last days," why does the world still look like business as usual most of the time? Sure, we’ve seen wars, pestilences, and famines since 1914, but does that really measure up to the catastrophes described in the Bible? Not even close.
Let’s start with Matthew 24:37-39, where Jesus compares the last days to the time of Noah. He said people would be eating, drinking, marrying, and generally living life as if nothing unusual was happening—until disaster struck. The argument that world conditions won’t become extreme enough to wake people up is partly true. Many will be oblivious. But that doesn’t mean things won’t get unimaginably worse.
For example, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, in Revelation 6:1-8. These symbolic riders aren’t just a mild inconvenience—they represent conquest, war, famine, and death on a catastrophic scale. Revelation 6:8 spells it out: these events will claim one-fourth of the world’s population
"And authority was given them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with a long sword and with food shortage and with deadly plague and by the wild beasts of the earth"Let that sink in. That’s over two billion people today. A few wars and food shortages in the past century don’t come close to this level of devastation.
Now let’s talk about those supposed "last days" since 1914. Have we seen anything resembling the scale of destruction described in Revelation 6:8? Not even during the two world wars. Sure, they were horrific, but they didn’t wipe out a quarter of humanity. And while we’ve had diseases like the recent pandemic and famines in some regions, they don’t compare to the apocalyptic conditions described in Matthew 24:21, where Jesus said, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, nor will occur again.”
The Bible is clear: things will get much worse. In Luke 21:10-11, Jesus predicts wars, earthquakes, famines, and pestilence—not scattered across centuries as the Watchtower will have you believe, but escalating and converging as signs of the end. These events will be so overwhelming that people’s hearts will fail them "from fear of what is coming upon the earth" (Luke 21:26).
And what about sceptics? The idea that conditions will never get extreme enough to convince them misses the point. As 2 Peter 3:3-4 notes, scoffers will deny that anything has changed, even as the signs become undeniable.We read :"First of all know this, that in the last days ridiculers will come with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as they were from creation’s beginning.”It’s not that the signs will be subtle as the Watchtower will have you believe—it’s that many people will stubbornly refuse to believe.
The Last Days never began in 1914 as the Watchtower will have you believe, this is a false teaching based on pyramidology, the last days are still ahead of us, the wars, the pestilences the famines are still ahead of us. So don't believe for one moment this is the worst it can possibly get, as David Schafer will have you believe.
So, let’s recap: Yes, things will get a lot worse. We’re not talking about isolated wars or temporary shortages but a global upheaval so severe it kills a quarter of humanity and leaves no corner of the earth untouched. The great tribulation (Revelation 7:14) isn’t just another rough patch in history—it’s the climax of human suffering, the likes of which the world has never seen.
To say we’ve already been living through the last days since 1914 is like claiming the warm-up act at a concert is the main event. The real "great tribulation" and the full fury of the Four Horsemen are still the future. Buckle up because when it comes, it won’t leave anyone guessing whether Bible prophecy is being fulfilled. Do not fool yourselves into the Watchtower’s false narrative of a mild version of the last days where as one brother in my congregation used to say, I will go to sleep one night and I'll wake up in the New system the following day. If you believe that or something similar, get ready for a rude awakening.

1

THE LAND OF DECORATION, REVISITED BY DAVID SCHAFER, WHY IT MATTERS

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/v6udaqnkvni?si=4_vowpqlhlwucmsf.

what is the land of decoration?

and why it matters when ot comes to the king of the north?

raymond frantz

https://youtu.be/V6udAQnkvNI?si=4_VoWPQlHlwUcmSf

What is the land of decoration? And why it matters when ot comes to the king of the North? The Watchtower revisits this term in the lastest morning worship talk from David Schafer...

The prophecy of the King of the North and the King of the South in Daniel 11 has long intrigued Bible scholars and Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) alike. Originating after Alexander the Great’s death, the prophecy describes the struggle between two factions of his fragmented empire: the Seleucids in the north and the Ptolemies in the south, with the land of Israel—referred to as the “Beautiful Land”—caught in the middle. This prophecy historically centers on the physical land of Israel, but JWs have reinterpreted it, replacing the literal meaning with their own spiritual symbolism.

The Watchtower rebrands the “Beautiful Land” as the “Land of Decoration,” which, in their interpretation, represents their global religious community rather than the physical land of Israel. For them, when Daniel 11:41 speaks of the King of the North entering the “Land of Decoration,” it’s not about Israel, but about Russia’s persecution of their worship worldwide. This perspective aligns with their replacement theology—the belief that their organization has supplanted Israel in God’s plan. Critics argue this interpretation strays from scripture, which consistently identifies Israel as a literal, geographical entity.

Key biblical texts like Zechariah 12:10, Ezekiel 38:16, and Matthew 24:15 emphasize the physical role of Israel in end-times prophecy. Zechariah describes a future moment of repentance for Israel when its people recognize the Messiah, while Ezekiel foretells an invasion of Israel in the last days. Matthew warns of a specific event in Judea, underscoring the geographical focus. These verses highlight the enduring significance of Israel in God’s plan, particularly after the Rapture, when the Church is taken up, and God’s attention shifts back to Israel.

JWs reinterpret these prophecies to fit their narrative, applying them symbolically to their organization and experiences of persecution. However, the Bible’s language remains firmly rooted in the physical reality of Israel’s land and people. Misplacing the “Land of Decoration” leads to a misidentification of the King of the North and distorts the broader framework of end-times events.

Understanding the literal significance of Israel in prophecy is crucial. The Watchtower’s spiritualized interpretations not only conflict with scripture but also obscure the unfolding of God’s plan, where the physical nation of Israel remains central during the Great Tribulation. Getting the “Land of Decoration” wrong means missing the bigger picture entirely.

37

Prepare to get Pelted by Symbolic Hailstones

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/idhmflud3p4?si=9xc4svrhxslduwvz.

so david schafer a member of the teaching commitee and a helper to the governing body has come out yesterday with a new video that goes through the king of the north, the hailstones message and other things in the wake of the possibility of a ww3 and especially now that tensions are escalating with russia so he is making quite a few end time arguments and i will be expanding on those one by one but today let's see what he has about the hailstones message of the end(video) so this is the paragraph in question, paragraph 14 from article 20 of the watchtower 2020 study edition: "sometime after the start of the great tribulation, “the kings of the entire inhabited earth” will form a coalition of nations.

(rev.

raymond frantz

@ finishedmystery

None of that makes sense until you realize The king of the North attacks the actual physical Israel and not Jehovah’s Witnesses

37

Prepare to get Pelted by Symbolic Hailstones

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/idhmflud3p4?si=9xc4svrhxslduwvz.

so david schafer a member of the teaching commitee and a helper to the governing body has come out yesterday with a new video that goes through the king of the north, the hailstones message and other things in the wake of the possibility of a ww3 and especially now that tensions are escalating with russia so he is making quite a few end time arguments and i will be expanding on those one by one but today let's see what he has about the hailstones message of the end(video) so this is the paragraph in question, paragraph 14 from article 20 of the watchtower 2020 study edition: "sometime after the start of the great tribulation, “the kings of the entire inhabited earth” will form a coalition of nations.

(rev.

raymond frantz

@A watcher

The hailstones of Revelation are a physical plague there is no such thing as hailstone message as I explain on this video