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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?

513 comments to Welcome

  • Cazenovi (Bible Student & JW)

    Greetings to all partakers of the Lord and Master, Bride of Christ!

    But a special greetings to all those who are active Jehovah’s Witnesses all around the world! I am one as well and will now identify myself as such for those who are visiting the website in order to attract those of like experiences. (you can find my story/testimony below) We truly are “Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses”! Feel open and free to contact me.

    My email is cazenovi@gmail.com
    My skype name is ‘cazenovi’ (or look up my email)

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Friends – Here is a great opportunity for you to get in contact with an Anointed Brother who is still meeting with the JW Organization and who has studied current JW organization thinking as well as early Watchtower beliefs.

  • Shannon

    My number is private email me @ petty 1976sjp@gmail.come no spaces I lost ur number

  • Shannon

    Oh dear my were doing I start I back from a bad mental health issue I do need to talk to some brothers tho my email is up please don’t forget to leave ur num Jacqueline and Peter this has not been a easy year

    • Jacqueline

      Shannon I have been calling numbers trying to get in Touch with you for months!!. I am at the convention now but can talk tonight. Do you still have my number? If so dial it tonight. If not I will post it briefly.
      We miss you. Remember you can ALWAYS call in on the Wednezday night number for the study and we are always on. This wednesfay3 we will be at the convention but I will dial in just in case someone pops on. I will keep the board open for about 30 minutes.

  • David Newman

    How does one become a member of the Bible Students, or Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

    • Jacqueline

      David hello and welcome, by association. This is a start you can ask questions and discuss here. Also on Wednesday night some from this site that don’t have a group near them come on with us. Right now there are ex jw men ad women, a small group but you are welcome. Were you ever a witness?
      Can you tell us a little about your experience and how you found us? We don’t have a central organization but we know each other and have convention all year round. You can come on by adobe connect to see and listen in also. Our General convention starts Saturday and most of us leave tomorrow for Johnstown, Pa. At University of PA.
      Ask a question someone will answer, but we would love to hear about your journey. Take Care David.

      • David Newman

        I have received some instruction from JW’s in the town I live in, and have a New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures which I am proud of. I must say that this is a fresh start for me, and I need your help. I am a life-long student of the Bible, and all I am and ever hope to be is because is because of Jehovah.

        • Peter K. (admin)

          David – Adding to what Sr. Jacqueline said, the International Bible Students Association is just that… an association. We are NOT an Organization. There is no human administration, only our heavenly President, Jesus Christ. To become a member, you merely associate with other Bible Students either face to face at congregation meetings and conventions or over the phone and Internet joining in on Bible Studies and fellowship. There are other call in Bible Studies on other nights as well we can provide you with… just email me and Sr. Jacqueline at BibleStudents1@Gmail.com.

        • jacqueline

          Dear David your heartwarming sincerity comes thru in your words. This is a place of help, hope and tolerance. Tell us how we can help? What subject would you like to discuss. All the persons you see commenting here today will be able to add to the conversation. Br. Peter is the moderator and elder on this site and had a wealth of Biblical knowledge. Start the conversation and we are available.
          Right now we are at the convention. It can be viewed on Adobe connect.

  • Cazenovi (Bible Student)

    Hello. I am an active JW. I am 25 years old. I ‘professed to be of the anointed’ a year after baptism. There was a mix of responses from my elders toward it. All is well going on the 5th year. I have been a Bible Student ever since being taught by an oldtimer Bible Student & Anointed JW who was highly respected in the congregation, even was an elder for some time until he stepped down. No, not all JWs believe the same. Most have their sayings in their heart or with a few close friends. I remain as a JW/BS ‘hybrid’ because I am upholding my personal obligations in Christ while I am here on earth, using the WT to uphold them while being spiritually edified through personal study. I have bible students of my own. We use minimal WT pub and use solely the bible with supplementary pub. My mind is on a different perception, that of Christ and I have been commissioned to help others to gain that perception with all of its implications and what it derives.

    Agape in Christ,
    Cazenovi

    PS. I should have introduced myself before commenting to alleviate any misunderstanding of my representation.

    • Daz

      Hello Cazenovi & a warm welcome to you.
      Although I was not baptized I was heading down that road as I was going out on ministry etc. I was associated with Jehovah’s witnesses for approx 17-18 years but I became evident that I was not being treated equally & was judgements were passed upon me but some especially the elders, it’s a long story but if you would like to read my it you can find it on here along with many others, or you can email me & I will be happy to share it with you.
      I was actually as child brought up in the organization as at the time my parents were both baptized witnesses but then fell away due to being stumbled by immoral behaviour that was apparent within their congregation.
      I started studying again & off as I said above for the last 17 or so years. Like you my thinking & understanding was based on scripture & it was telling me, it was not based not men’s belief & their perceptions. The scriptures should be first & foremost in our learning & our understanding not the publications that the watchtower insist upon learning from. Since my departure from the organization I have read & studied much, many things have been revealed to me. All I can say is that fading from the oganization is one of the best things I have done. Yes it is very difficult intially having to deal with & getting over the hurt of losing close friends due to the fact you are not part of it anymore, but the freedom I now feel has made it so worth it, I am now dedicated to the Father & the Son, there is nobody inbetween, nobody to hinder me, I rely on the God & the spirit to guide me, not men. I have made new friends, real friends that accept me just as Christ free accepts us.
      Jesus warned us of false prophets & the wonders they would present. Matthew 23:2-4 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” Again at Matthew, 7:15 tells us “”Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.” Also we should take heed at what is said at Mark 13:22 “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.”
      I felt the organization takes away your freedom in Christ, you are governed by men even though they proclaim to be following their head, but Christ warns his sheep of this, we must not submit to men, only God Almighty, we must become slaves of Christ as I am sure you are aware that is through Him & Him alone that opens the way to the Father.
      Jeremiah 51:45 gives good advice, “”Come out of her, my people! Run for your lives! Run from the fierce anger of the LORD.” Revelation 18:4 echos the same warning “Then I heard another voice calling from heaven, “Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her.”
      I sincerely wish you all the very best in your search & in continuing of the building of your faith.

      Warm & loving regards,
      Daz

    • Chris

      Wow your story matches mine. In 27 About 1 year after baptism I knew I was anointed. The JW system tries to limit how many that are claiming to be of the anointed. They do They do this because as the number of anointed go down the end is near. I left after 6 years and I am now a Bible Student where I can run the race with others for the mark of the prize of the high calling. You can always talk to me anytime.

      • Cazenovi (Bible Student)

        Brother Chris, and anyone who would like to contact me. My email address is:

        cazenovi@gmail.com

        I am primarily interested in examining the scripture with my brothers in Christ, that I cannot get nor expect to receive at the Kingdom Hall because they do not have the spiritual perception that of the consecrated Sons of God and the implied aspirations involved.

        Agape in Christ,
        Cazenovi

      • Daz

        Hello Chris, I hope you are keeping well. May I ask you what was the defining moment when you knew for sure you were anointed? What did you feel? I hope that the question isn’t too personal, if you feel it is then I will total respect that & accept in full that you do not wish to answer the question.

        Warm & kind regards,
        Daz

        • Chris

          Hey Daz. Sorry for the delayed response. I knew when my thoughts were drawn to blessing mankind rather than being blessed. I knew when I felt guilty after passing the bread and wine by without partaking. I partook my last two years. It felt right. My elders were really supportive. I have lost my hope to live on the earth and wish to be one of the 144,000.

          • Cazenovi (Bible Student)

            Brother Chris, you made very similar thoughts of which I expressed to my elders. I approached my CO first. After a week of the realization in my new hope, I told my elder that I felt extremely guilty 1.) for not partaking the prior year and didn’t know why and 2.) not expressing my hope when discussion warranted it and 3.) I am drawn more toward those whos disposition and expression indicates they are brothers in Christ. Most of my elders were supportive.

            Chris, will you be at the convention?

    • Chris

      Also I too tried to keep going to ththe ecclesia meetings and Kingdom Hall. I am 27 and I left after 6 years. I loved my Kingdom Hall. And I left because I knew that if I stayed in Babylon Jehovah wouldn’t accept my consecration. Come out when you are ready to. I was a wreck trying to decide. But when I did it was the best.

    • Cazenovi (Bible Student)

      Daz & Chris, brothers,
      I thoroughly appreciate your welcoming warmth. As I do with every aspect of my life, I allow Jah to guide me. Yes the WT has tried to limit the ‘number’ of the anointed which is devious because they well know in the first century alone the ‘number’ has been filled (albeit with other circumstances that only Jah knows in first calling and then choosing others). It seems that they know the number is exponentially increasing. I pray they recognize it is the work and operation of Jah’s spirit. I am waiting to see what the WT does, they already (finally) stated that they dont know when the calling has closed which I hope is the beginning of them opening their eyes (and all the witnesses) the the number is figurative and trying to fixate dates is foolish. Perhaps I am just merely hopeful and making reasons to stay however, I indeed have reason to believe… Nonetheless, brothers, pray for me.

      Agape in Christ,
      Cazenovi @gmail.com

    • Cazenovi (Bible Student)

      Just an update my brothers, I am still an active JW under the radar so to speak, I have joined a foreign language group and transferred to another congregation who hosts that group. I am curious on how those brothers treat and/or address my ‘introduction letter’ IF the elders included information of me having professed to be anointed spirit begotten, partaker for some years. Nonetheless I hold the open view of myself as a Bible Student. My former congregation elders have no issues with it in the past two years.

      In fact, I addressed my faith to my CO first and asked him for honest guidance (that’s what one WT suggested newly anointed to do, so I did. And only one elder met with me for a few weeks (probably to assess me). I have had very strong personal relationships with all my elders. (expect one who openly criticized my anointing in front of the brothers, the oldest of the bunch. I still revere his faithful long service though lol)

      I started developing my reputation with my new congregation by frequent visits and taking some brothers out to eat etc. But I am a bit nervous, nonetheless ready for the worse IF it even comes to that. I do not think it will anytime soon, unless the TPTB aka GB decides to make more hideous judgments against anointedjws, which I don’t think they will because they eased off closing the calling through the recent years… but you never know with them. 😉

  • Piper

    I left the JW org at 16, I am 33 .. Today is the first day I heard of Bible Students or any other of the 15 or so groups/people/sites I was given today. A lot to process.

    • Jacqueline (Bible Student)

      Piper, hello and welcome. I can imagine your surprise. Old timers like me know them from our childhood but a 33 year old would not.
      Tell us your journey, why did you leave? Do you have family still in?
      What is your impression of the “Dead People” deaths being overstated by the governing body? Leaving at 16, like my best friend you had guts. She said she knew at 13 that there were pedophiles in numbers within the congregations down South where we went.
      Where do you stand now in thoughts about God’s plan?
      We would love to hear your story. In Christ

  • Jacqueline (bible student)

    Hello Rowena.

  • CP

    Hi Jacqueline,
    I want to thank you for your uplifting words. Looking forward to attend one of the meetings.
    CP

    • Jacqueline (Bible Student)

      Hello CP, sorry I just got time available since coming home. Look in your email for the link. I really enjoyed our conversation. It is a conversation taking place all over the world as many are waking up to the fact that the governing body are just rich business men.
      It is so strange that many noticed the huge rings and expensive watches worn very display like by the governing body in their presentations. They tell everyone not to go to college to not save for retirement, yet they live in luxury off the rank and file money even tho many are suffering financially. This is the quote I was looking for concernig making decisions for your own children. These men have no children.
      Quote: Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15
      Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers.
      If you are one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and have young children, do you really want to entrust the lives your children to the Watchtower’s direction?

      Also download the App Christian resources, hit on audio sermons. I like hitting on “New”, you and your family will enjoy these sermons. Call me if you have a problem.

  • Raj

    Thanks Br Peter for your response. Yes you are correct, after reading your mail then I noticed many translations used “Sleep” instead of ” death:.That make sense to under the situation. I appreciate your knowledge in scriptures.

  • Raj

    Who are the saints mentioned in Matthew 27:52-53 and what kind of resurretion was it?

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Raj,

      What is your opinion?

      Many have taken these verses to mean that some saints were literally awakened from the dead, as was Lazarus. Sadly, many translations add the word “dead” or “death” when in fact the saints were merely sleeping. Let’s read the passage.

      Matt 25:51-53 (Twentieth Century New Testament) “51 Suddenly the Temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shook, the rocks were torn asunder, 52 the tombs opened, and the bodies of many of God’s People who had fallen asleep rose, 53 And they, leaving their tombs, went, after the resurrection of Jesus, into the Holy City, and appeared to many people.”

      In summary, when Jesus died, there was a giant earthquake. The temple and stones were torn apart. The earth in the graveyard split open. Many disciples it seems were hiding in the cemetery among the tombs after Jesus had been taken and crucified. As with the disciples at Gethsemane, they were so tired they had fallen asleep. The earthquake woke them up and they returned to the city to see what had transpired and what had become of Jesus.

      • Morakinyo

        Peter K.- I appreciate your last post in answer to Raj’s question on the
        identity of the saints in Matthew 27:52-53. Your explanation sounds
        reasonable in view of the fact that the disciples were very fearful
        and distraught following the public execution of their master in a
        travesty of justice. Thank you.

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