Geoffrey Jackson's "New Light" Could Cost You Your Life

– posted by meleti

We’ve considered two talks so far in our coverage of the October 2023 Annual Meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Until now neither talk has contained information that you might call “life threatening”. That’s about to change. The next symposium talk, delivered by Geoffrey Jackson of Australia Royal Commission fame, could very well endanger the life of anyone who believes what he says and acts on it out of a misguided sense of loyalty.

This wouldn’t be the first time that people’s lives have been put in jeopardy for following the Governing Body’s interpretation of Scripture, but we’re not talking about medical decisions such as whether to accept a blood transfusion or an organ transplant. We’re talking about a life-threatening situation that will, at some point in time, affect every Jehovah’s Witness on the planet who remains loyal to the teachings of the Governing Body.

Before we can get to that, Geoffrey has first to lay the foundation for the so-called “new light” he’s going to present. He does this by giving his audience a thumbnail sketch of the last days theology of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He doesn’t attempt to prove any of these beliefs which he, at some point, calls “facts”.  He doesn’t need to prove anything because he knows he’s preaching to the choir, and they’ll simply accept everything he has to say. But what he’s about to reveal in this talk is something I never thought I’d see. 

So, let’s follow along as he presents his review:

Over the last few years, we've had a few changes with regard to the events that occurred during the Great Tribulation. And if you've been in the truth for a while, sometimes it's a bit hard to remember, was that what we used to believe, or is this what we believe now? So to help us to make sure that we've got some idea of some of the events that occur during the Great Tribulation, let's look at this review.

Geoffrey is joking about all the changes they’ve made over the past years and decades. And his compliant audience is laughing along as if this is no big thing. His flippancy demonstrates a colossal insensitivity to the enormous suffering that the Governing Body has caused its flock by its constant misinterpretations of Scripture. These are not trivial matters. These are matters of life and death.

His audience is eager to eat up anything he feeds to them. They will believe and act on his instructions about what they must do when the end of this system of things comes. If the Governing Body is providing faulty instructions on what to do to be saved, they will bear an enormous burden of blood guilt.

What does the Bible say: “For if the trumpet sounds an indistinct call, who will get ready for battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8)

Geoffrey is sounding a warning trumpet, but if it’s not sounding a truthful call, his listeners will not be ready for the battle that is to come.

He begins by referring to events that he says will occur during the great tribulation. What does he mean by “the great tribulation”? He’s referencing Revelation 7:14 which reads in part:

“These [an unnumberable great crowd] are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14)

Witnesses have been led to believe that only they understand this Scripture. However, it would surely surprise them to learn that pretty much every church in Christendom believes in “the great tribulation” and they all link it to their own particular version of Armageddon and the end of the world.

Why do all the religions of Christendom believe that the great tribulation is some cataclysmic event, the end of all things? What does it say about the Governing Body that they have joined with other religions in a wrong interpretation of what the great tribulation means? What do they have in common with other religions?

To answer that, do you not recall how often Jesus warns us about false prophets? And what is the stock-in-trade of a false prophet? Essentially, what is he selling?  Love? Hardly. Truth? Please!! No, it is fear. He depends on fear, specifically in instilling fear in his flock. That makes them subservient to the false prophet as the provider of escape from the thing they fear. Deuteronomy 18:22 tells us that a false prophet speaks presumptuously and that we should not fear him.

By the way, I used to believe that the great tribulation of Revelation chapter 7 refers to an end-of-the-world period of time. Then I discovered the method of Bible Study known as exegesis and when I applied that to what Revelation chapter 7 talks about, I found something very different and encouraging to us as the children of God who put faith in Jesus.

However, I won’t get into that here as it would take us off the matter at hand. If you’re interested in what I found the great tribulation and the great crowd to really refer to, I’ll put some links in the description of this video to articles and videos on the subject.  Of course, you could also get a detailed account from my book, “Shutting the Door to the Kingdom of God: How Watch Tower Stole Salvation from Jehovah’s Witnesses,” which is available on Amazon.

But for now, we’ll just listen to what Geoffrey wants us to believe is true because we want to get to the meat of his talk.

So to help us to make sure that we've got some idea of some of the events that occur during the Great Tribulation, let's look at this review. What event starts the great tribulation? The destruction of Babylon the Great. That will be the time when the political powers turn on the world empire of false religion, showing their disgust for this symbolic prostitute. This will lead to the destruction of all false religious organizations.

So, the first thing Witnesses are expecting to happen is the attack upon Babylon the Great by its political lovers, the world leaders who have been in bed with false religion. Geoffrey says that all false religions will be destroyed. But haven't we seen in video after video how all the doctrines that are unique to Jehovah's Witnesses have proven to be false? So, using the measure by which they judge other religions, how can we exclude JW.org from being part of Babylon the Great?

Since JW.org qualifies as part of false religion, true Christians are told that they must do something.

“And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4)

But the Watch Tower Organization tells Jehovah’s Witnesses that they’ve already done that. They got out of her, out of false religion, when they became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But did they?

How can you trust anything they say when they keep changing the rules. They seem to be growing more and more inept as time goes by. They can’t even keep their own current doctrines straight. For instance: the graphic they use says that the great tribulation starts with the “Fall of Babylon the Great”. But according to Watchtower theology, that already happened in 1919.

“Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, is mentioned first: “Another, a second angel, followed, saying: ‘She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen!’” (Revelation 14:8) Yes, from God’s viewpoint, Babylon the Great has already fallen. In 1919, Jehovah’s anointed servants were set free from the bondage of Babylonish doctrines and practices, which have dominated peoples and nations for millenniums.” (w05 10/1 p. 24 par. 16 “Keep on the Watch”—The Hour of Judgment Has Arrived!)

I ask you now: How can you put your life in the hands of men who continually bumble along, constantly changing their teachings about the way to salvation? I mean, they can’t even get their current teachings straight.

Geoffrey continues with his review:

What event ends the great tribulation? The battle of Armageddon. That will be the final part of the Great Tribulation. Jesus, along with the resurrected 144,000 and myriads of angels will battle with all those who opposed Jehovah, his kingdom and his people here on earth. This will be the war of the Great Day of God the Almighty.

Armageddon is only mentioned once in the Bible, at Revelation 16:16. It is called “the war of the great day of God the Almighty.” But in this war, who is God warring against? Everyone on earth?

That has been the position of Jehovah’s Witnesses since before I was born.  I was taught that everyone on earth except for Jehovah’s Witnesses would die forever at Armageddon. That belief was based on the assumption that it would be like the flood of Noah’s day.

Now imagine teaching something like that for decades claiming you are receiving light from God through holy spirit, that you are His channel for feeding the flock, and then suddenly, one day, making this astonishing admission:

Now, let’s talk about the Flood of Noah’s day. In the past, we’ve said that any who died in the Flood would not be resurrected.  But does the bible say that?

What?! “We said this. We taught this. We demanded that you believe this and teach it to your Bible students, but…we didn’t really check to see if the Bible actually says this thing we’re feeding to you?”

This is what they’ve called, “food at the proper time.” Yeah, that’s what it is!

You know, we might even be able to forgive them if they were willing to ask for forgiveness. But they aren’t.

We are not embarrassed about adjustments that are made, nor do…is an apology needed for not getting it exactly right previously.

Apparently, they feel none of this is their fault. They are unwilling to take any responsibility for any harm done. Since they feel they’ve done no wrong, they have no need to repent. Instead, they choose to counsel everyone else not to be dogmatic but to go with what the Bible says.

Too bad it took them so long to do that, because reading what the Bible says about Noah’s flood should have informed them long ago that they were wrong about Armageddon. Jehovah made a covenant with Noah and through him, with all of us. That covenant was a promise to never again destroy all flesh.

“Yes, I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all flesh be destroyed by the waters of a flood, and never again will a flood bring the earth to ruin.”” (Genesis 9:11)

Now, it would be pretty silly if what God meant was, “I promise not to destroy all flesh by a flood, but I reserve the right to use any other means to do so.” That wouldn’t be much of an assurance, would it?

But is that just me speculating, imposing my personal interpretation on Scripture like the Governing Body has done throughout my lifetime and before? No, because there’s this little thing called exegesis, which the so-called channel of communication between God and men has neglected to use. With exegesis, you let the Bible define what it means—in this case, what is meant by the word “flood” as a method of destruction?

In predicting the utter devastation upon Jerusalem which occurred in the first century, Daniel writes:

“And the people of a leader who is coming will destroy the city and the holy place. And its end will be by the flood. And until the end there will be war; what is decided upon is desolations.” (Daniel 9:26)

There was no literal flood of water in 70 C.E. when the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem, but as Jesus predicted, not a stone was left upon a stone, just as if a literal flood of water had swept through the city.

Given God’s use of the word flood in Genesis and again in Daniel, we can see that He was telling us that he would never again destroy all life on earth all flesh, as he did in Noah’s day.

Could the reason that the Governing Body didn’t realize that simple truth be because they had an agenda? Remember, a false prophet needs to keep you in fear. The belief that everyone outside of the Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses would perish at Armageddon would keep everyone inside the Organization loyal to their leadership.

But on a side note, does it not irritate you to see that they paint all angels with wings? True, seraphs are depicted in the Bible with six wings, two to fly with, two to cover their face, and two to cover their feet, but that is so obviously a metaphor, a symbolic vision.

And Jesus is not shown in Revelation coming with a bow and arrow and a superhero cape flying behind him. To the contrary, and I’m quoting from the New World translation, “I saw heaven opened, and look! a white horse. And the one seated on it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness. His eyes are a fiery flame, and on his head are many diadems. He has a name written that no one knows but he himself, and he is clothed with an outer garment stained with blood…And out of his mouth protrudes a sharp, long sword with which to strike the nations, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. . . .” (Revelation 19:11-15)

So you guys in the art department, read your bible before you pick up your paint brush.  Where’s the “outer garment stained with blood”?  Where’s the “sharp, long sword”? Where’s the “rod of iron”?

What is amazing is that for a religion that criticizes other churches for their Babylonish depictions, there sure are a lot of influences from pagan religions showing up in Watch Tower artwork. Maybe they should put a poster up in their art department that reads: “Does the Bible say that?”

Of course, they are not really that concerned about what the Bible actually says. What is their concern is that their flock live in fear. That is evident from what is next introduced by Geoffrey Jackson into his last-days timeline.

Now that we have the start and the end of the Great Tribulation in mind, let's ask a few more questions. How long will that time period be from start to finish? The answer is, we don't know. We do know that many events are foretold to happen during that time period, but these events may all occur in a reasonably short period of time. For this discussion, though, let's focus on the few events that will occur toward the end of the Great Tribulation. When does the attack of Gog of Magog occur? It doesn't occur at the beginning of the Great Tribulation, but toward the end of that period of time. This attack on God's people by a coalition of nations will lead right into the battle of Armageddon. So, Gog's attack will occur just prior to Armageddon.

Outside of wish fulfillment and the need of a false prophet to traffic in fear, I can see no reason for the belief that Ezequiel’s prophecy about Gog and Magog can be made to apply to an attack on Jehovah’s Witnesses before Armageddon. For one thing, they won’t be around by then, having been taken out by the kings of the earth in the attack on Babylon the Great. For another, Gog and Magog are only mentioned in one other place outside of Ezequiel. Here, look with me.

Ezequiel prophecies about Gog of the land of Magog.  He says that God “will send fire upon Maʹgog and upon those who are inhabiting the islands in security; and people will have to know that I am Jehovah.” (Ezekiel 39:6)

Now to the only other place in Scripture where Gog and Magog are mentioned.

“Now as soon as the thousand years have been ended, Satan will be let loose out of his prison, and he will go out to mislead those nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Maʹgog, to gather them together for the war. The number of these is as the sand of the sea. And they advanced over the breadth of the earth and encircled the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city. But fire came down out of heaven and devoured them.” (Revelation 20:7-9)

So, Ezequiel says that fire from God will destroy Gog and Magog, and John says the same thing in Revelation. But John’s vision fixes the time of that destruction, not at Armageddon, but after the thousand-year reign of Christ is over. How can we read that in any other way?

However, the Governing Body needs some Bible account to scare Witnesses into believing there will be a final attack upon the other sheep who are left behind when the anointed go to heaven. So, they cherry pick Ezequiel’s prophecy to fit their agenda. To support one false doctrine—the other sheep as a separate class of Christian—they have to continue coming up with more false doctrines, one lie built on another and then on another, and well, you get the picture. But again, the question we should ask ourselves is:

But does the bible say that?

 

Now Geoffrey moves to fix the timing of when the anointed who are alive during the Governing Body’s idea of the great tribulation will be taken to heaven. He is not talking about the resurrection of the anointed, the first resurrection, because according to the Governing Body that has already occurred over 100 years ago back in 1918, and has been going on ever since.

When will the remaining ones of the Anointed be gathered and taken to heaven? The Bible book of Ezekiel indicates that when Gog of Magog starts his attack, some of the Anointed will still be here on earth. However, Revelation 17:14 tells us that when Jesus battles with the nations, he will come with those who are called and chosen. That is, all of the resurrected 144,000. So, the final gathering of his chosen ones must occur after the start of the attack of Gog of Magog and before the battle of Armageddon. This means that the Anointed will be gathered and taken to Heaven toward the end of the Great Tribulation, not at the beginning.

Why has there been so much confusion among Jehovah’s Witnesses about when the anointed will be resurrected? The Bible clearly tells us:

“For this is what we tell YOU by Jehovah’s word, that we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord shall in no way precede those who have fallen asleep [in death]; because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall always be with [the] Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)

Oh, I get it. Witnesses have been sold a bill of goods claiming that Jesus’ presence started in 1914. There’s a little problem with that, isn’t there? You see, all the dead anointed ones will be resurrected at his presence according to what the Bible says, but it also says that at his presence, the anointed who survive to his presence will be changed, transformed in the twinkling of an eye. Paul tells us all this when he writes to the congregation in Corinth.

“Look! I tell YOU a sacred secret: We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, during the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised up incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51, 52)

So this trumpet, which is referred to in both Corinthians and Thessalonians, sounds at the coming or presence of Jesus. If that happened in 1914, why is Geoffrey and the rest of the Governing Body still with us. Either they are not anointed, or they are anointed and they’re wrong about a 1914 presence of Jesus. Or, there’s a third option to consider: They are not anointed and on top of that, the presence of Christ hasn’t come yet. I’m kind of leaning toward that latter because, if Christ were present in 1914, then we would have heard news reports of thousands of faithful Christians suddenly disappearing from the earth, and since that didn’t happen and since the Governing Body is still claiming that Christ’s presence began in 1914, they’re promoting a falsehood, which sort of, kind of, goes against their being anointed with holy spirit, don’t you think?

Since almost all Jehovah’s Witnesses are made up of non-anointed so-called other sheep, the Governing Body has to find a way to fit them into the picture. Enter Jesus’ parable of the sheep and goats suddenly recrafted into an end-times prophecy of final judgment.

When will the final judgment of the sheep and the goats take place? Again, although we can't be dogmatic as to the exact sequence of events, it appears that the final judgment takes place at the end of the Great Tribulation, not at the beginning. That will be the time when the Son of man comes in his glory and all his angels with Him. Of course, there are a lot of other events that are foretold to happen during this time period, but for now, let's just focus on these few events, all of which will happen just before the outbreak of Armageddon. What do we learn from them? First, Jesus' judgment of the sheep and the goats and the destruction of the wicked will take place at the end of the Great Tribulation. Second, there will be some of the remaining ones of the anointed on earth until the start of the attack of Gog of Magog right at the end of the Great Tribulation. Third, the judgment of the sheep and the goats will include their dealings with Christ's brothers even during the Great Tribulation.

There is a glaring problem with the way the Governing Body applies the parable of the Sheep and Goats. They believe that the sheep are other sheep who are not anointed, and who do not inherit everlasting life. The reason they do not get everlasting life, whether they survive Armageddon or are resurrected in the new world, is that they are still sinners. They don’t reach perfection until the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ. Here is their official position:

Unhindered in their spiritual progress by Satan and his demons, (I repeat, unhindered by Satan and his demons) these Armageddon survivors will gradually be helped to overcome their sinful tendencies until finally they reach perfection!” (w99 11/1 p. 7 Prepare for the Millennium That Matters!)

So, JW other sheep, whether they survive Armageddon or die and are resurrected, both will gradually, gradually overcome sinful tendencies and reach perfection and so attain to everlasting life by the end of the “millennium that matters.” So, how is it that the anointed Jehovah’s Witnesses somehow are not hindered in their spiritual progress by Satan and his demons as the other sheep are?  I guess they’re just extra special humans. That is the reward handed out to the Other Sheep according to Geoffrey Jackson and the rest of the Governing Body,

But does the Bible say that?

No, it does not say that. And it is telling that while Geoffrey informs us that the Goats go off into everlasting destruction, he makes no mention of the reward Jesus promises to the sheep like ones. Why hide that fact from us, Geoffrey? This is what the Bible says:

“Then the King will say to those on his right: ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)

“These [goats] will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones [sheep] into everlasting life.”” (Matthew 25:46)

Jesus is talking about the inheritance prepared for his anointed brothers—the sheep in the parable--prepared for them since the founding of the world, who will rule with him as kings and priests and who inherit everlasting life upon their resurrection. That doesn’t fit with JW theology because their other sheep are still sinners and so do not inherit the kingdom nor everlasting life.

Now we come to the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the big change in JW last days judgment theology.

Once the Great Tribulation starts—we saw there in the chart with the destruction of Babylon the Great—so once it starts, is there a door of opportunity for non-believers to actually join us in serving Jehovah? Is there a door of opportunity? What have we said in the past? We've said, “No,” there will not be an opportunity for people to join us at that time.

I never thought that Jehovah’s Witnesses could make the change that they are about to make. The reason is that it would undermine their hold on the flock. Consider what he says next:

Now, while we're talking about this, let's talk about the elephant in the room. What do we mean? Well, you know, some of us in the past, we're not going to mention names, but some of us have said, “Oh, you know, my unbelieving relative, I hope he dies before the Great Tribulation.” Ha, ha, ha…we know what you've been saying. You said because if he dies before the Great Tribulation, he'll have a chance of a resurrection, but during? Um, um!

Geoffrey’s “elephant in the room” is what you might call a JW sacred cow, which is a doctrinal belief so pivotal to their belief system that it cannot be killed, and yet, here they are about to kill it.

To be clear, I’m talking about the belief that once the end starts, there will no longer be any chance to repent. It’s like the door of Noah’s ark being shut by God. It’ll be too late.

Why is this doctrine so important? Why is it like a sacred cow for Witnesses? Well, the reason it has been critical is revealed by Geoffrey’s jocular reference to the common belief among JWs that if you are not a believer, it is better to die before the end, because then you’ll be resurrected and have a chance to repent after seeing the evidence that Jehovah’s Witnesses were right all along.

If the logic isn’t clear yet, bear with me.

For my entire lifetime in the Organization, I was taught that any Jehovah’s Witnesses who survive Armageddon, according to the Watchtower again, will gradually be helped to overcome their sinful tendencies until finally they reach perfection (w99 11/1 p. 7) which would be at the end of the thousand years. That is the reward for remaining loyal to the teachings of the Governing Body.

Now, if one of Jehovah’s Witnesses dies before Armageddon, he’ll get a resurrection and he’ll gradually be helped to overcome his sinful tendencies until finally he reaches perfection.

What if you are not one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and you die before Armageddon? I was taught that you’ll still be resurrected and you’ll gradually be helped to overcome your sinful tendencies until finally you reach perfection.

So, everyone who dies before Armageddon, whether they are a faithful Jehovah’s Witness or not, everyone gets the same resurrection.  They are resurrected still as a sinner and are gradually helped to overcome their sinful tendencies until finally they reach perfection.

However…however, if Armageddon comes first, that is not the case. If Armageddon comes before you die, then if you’re a faithful Jehovah’s Witness, you survive and in the new world you will again be gradually helped to overcome your sinful tendencies until finally you reach perfection.

But…but, if you are not a faithful Jehovah’s Witness, if for instance, you are a disfellowshipped Jehovah’s Witness, then when Armageddon comes, it’s lights out for you. Eternal destruction. No chance to repent. It’s too late. So sad. Too bad. But you had your chance, and you blew it.

Now do you see why any belief that allows for people to repent and be saved during the Witnesses version of the time of the end is critical?

You see, if you die before Armageddon, there is really no advantage to being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. You get exactly the same reward whether you’re a believer or an atheist. The only reason to labor all your life, putting in hours of door-to-door field service, and attending five meetings a week, and obeying all the restrictions imposed by the Governing Body is so that you can survive Armageddon which was always “just around the corner”.  Maybe you pioneered, maybe you decided not to have children, or not to go for higher education and a rewarding career. But it was all worth it, because you were ensuring your survival should Armageddon come like a thief in the night.

Now, the Governing Body is taking that incentive away! Why labor for them? Why go out in service every weekend? Why attend countless boring, repetitive meetings and assemblies? All you need is to be ready to jump back on board the good ship JW.org after Babylon is attacked. That attack will provide the proof that Jehovah’s Witnesses were right all along. Sure boys! Get out there and enjoy life. You can always change at the last minute.

I’m not going to speculate as to why they’re making this change. Time will tell what effect it will have.

But at the start of this video, I said that what they’re selling in this talk is truly life-threatening. How so?

Many Jehovah’s Witnesses have family members who have left the Organization. Some have simply drifted away, others have formerly resigned and many tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, have been disfellowshipped. Now the Governing Body is holding out a false hope. They say that these ones will still have the opportunity to be saved. Once the attack on Babylon the Great is over, once all false religion is destroyed, then these people will see that Jehovah’s Witnesses were right after all, since the Organization will be, as the saying goes, “the last man standing.”

The point Geoffrey Jackson is making is essentially that given such incontrovertible proof of God’s blessing, that he has saved the Organization while all other religions are now toast, many will repent and return to the fold so that they can be saved through Armageddon. That’s the story.

But you see, there is a flaw in their reasoning. A very big flaw.  It all depends on their being right about not being part of Babylon the Great, but even by their own criteria, how can that be? They claim that Babylon the Great is the world empire of false religion. I repeat, “false religion”.

What makes a religion false by the Organization’s own rules? Teaching false doctrines. Well, if you’ve been following this channel, particularly the playlist titled “Identifying True Worship—Examining Jehovah's Witnesses using their own criteria” (I’ll put a link to it at the end of this video if you haven’t seen it) you’ll know that all the doctrines unique to Jehovah’s Witnesses are unscriptural.

I’m not talking about their denial of the trinity and hell and the immortal soul. Those doctrines are not unique to JWs. I’m talking about doctrines that deny Jehovah’s Witnesses the true salvation hope offered by Jesus Christ, the true good news of the kingdom.

I’m talking about the very false doctrine of a secondary class of Christian that is denied the adoption as God’s children offered to all who put faith in Jesus’ name.

“However, to all who did receive him, he gave authority to become God’s children, because they were exercising faith in his name. And they were born, not from blood or from a fleshly will or from man’s will, but from God.” (John 1:12, 13)

This offer is not limited to just 144,000 people. That’s just an invention of J. F. Rutherford which has been maintained down to the present resulting in the spectacle of millions of Christians gathering once a year to turn down the offer of partaking of the bread and wine representing the life saving body and blood of our Lord. They are willfully denying themselves salvation based on what Jesus says here:

“So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.” (John 6:53-56 NLT)

Jehovah’s Witnesses have been preaching a false good news, claiming that salvation depends on supporting the men of the Governing Body, not on partaking of the life saving blood of our Lord which means we accept him as our mediator of the New Covenant.

From the Watchtower:

“The other sheep should never forget that their salvation depends on their active support of Christ’s anointed “brothers” still on earth.” (w12 3/15 p. 20 par. 2)

According to the apostle Paul, preaching a false good news leads to being cursed by God.

“I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from the One who called you with Christ’s undeserved kindness to another sort of good news. Not that there is another good news; but there are certain ones who are causing you trouble and wanting to distort the good news about the Christ. However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond the good news we declared to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, I now say again, Whoever is declaring to you as good news something beyond what you accepted, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9)

So in conclusion, we now come to the reason why I think this new teaching is truly life-threatening.

Loyal Jehovah’s Witnesses will stay within the Organization when Babylon the Great is attacked. They will stay faithful to the Governing Body thinking that by doing this they will set a good example for their unbelieving relatives or their disfellowshipped children.  They’ll stick by the Organization in the hope of winning their lost loved ones back to “the truth”.  But it isn’t the truth. It is just another false religion that puts obedience to men above obedience to God. So, these faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses will not heed the warning of Revelation 18:4 to get out of her so as not “to share with her in her sins, and so as not to receive part of her plagues.” By the time they realize that their loyalty has been misplaced, it will be too late.

I don’t know what else to say. It is like watching a train speed toward a bridge that you can see has collapsed, but you have no way of stopping the train. All you can do is watch in horror. But perhaps someone will heed the warning. Perhaps some will wake up and jump off that train. One can only hope and pray that will be the case.

Thank you for watching and thank you for continuing to support our work.


Archived Comments

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  • Comment by KingdomofKerry on 2023-11-10 14:49:31

    Good evening, I am a new participant here, though I've been reading your eye opening articles for quite some months now. Thank you for your hard work and deep study, and for sharing it with everyone who wishes to listen.

    Honestly I don't think the changes in doctrine are really noticed by the masses, they are so used to it now that it's just a shrug and move on attitude.

    To play devil's advocate and respond to your statement that it doesn't matter how long a person has been faithful, they could simply quote from Matt 20:1-16, where Jesus pays all his workers the same wage regardless of hours put in, and say that it has always been that way.
    Greetings from an old ex-JW and new follower of Christ

    • Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-11-11 08:06:24

      Greetings, KingdomofKerry. Good to have you with us. I agree with your point from Matthew 20. We do all get the same wage. What matters is that the Master of the Vineyard finds us standing outside waiting to be hired and that he choose us to work.
      By the way, we have weekly bible studies online if you're interested in meeting other vineyard laborers. https://beroeans.net/events

      • Reply by KingdomofKerry on 2023-11-11 11:03:38

        Thank you, I would like to attend a meeting soon

        • Reply by Northernexposure on 2023-11-13 08:33:42

          Dear KingdomofKerry,
          You will not be disappointed in the Zoom Bible study family! I encourage you to join in!

          • Reply by KingdomofKerry on 2023-11-19 06:20:12

            Thank you, I tried to join in last Sunday but the Zoom ID and Password weren't recognised unfortunately!

            • Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-11-19 06:50:32

              Very odd. This link should work: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84122344515?pwd=K2JCT0dEZFM5d0Y2TE96Tmd5UEFVdz09

              • Reply by KingdomofKerry on 2023-11-19 08:11:59

                Thank you!

              • Reply by KingdomofKerry on 2023-11-19 08:17:22

                This morning I logged into the local jw cong zoom meeting. Towards the end of the public talk the speaker compared the Covid vx to Jesus ransom sacrifice, stating that 'anti vxers' are like those who don't put faith in Jesus ransom sacrifice. I was fairly shocked and logged off immediately! That sounds like blasphemy to me but maybe I'm overreacting?!
                I'm wondering would that have been in the talk outline or was the speaker simply stating his own personal opinion?

                • Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-11-19 09:53:58

                  What was the title of the talk? We'd need that to track down the outline on line.

                  • Reply by KingdomofKerry on 2023-11-19 14:02:01

                    I don't know the title unfortunately, I did ask my Dad this evening about it, he's an elder in that cong but wasn't at that meeting this morning. He reckons it wasn't in the outline but just another's opinion. He admits there are too many man made rules and personal opinions floating around....My parents didn't take the vx either.

                    • Reply by Northernexposure on 2023-11-21 08:27:21

                      A bit of detective work may be in order to determine if this is the "official" position of the Gov Bod. If it is I'm sure Meleti will be doing a video expose' on it. It most certainly is blasphemous, and It's good that you're discerning. Curious if any others in the cong were alarmed at the statement?

                • Reply by Northernexposure on 2023-11-21 07:41:09

                  Well yes I'd say that is a fairly shocking statement, and whether a personal opinion, or coming down from the Society? Either way completely out of character, and wrong to say. I don't think you're overreacting at all. Question is...is that the Society position, or just a rogue statement from a biased speaker??

                • Reply by PimaLurker on 2023-11-24 18:29:52

                  At the very least I don’t think the .Org would put something that blunt in an outline.

                  I would say they lean more into mandatory measures when comes anything medical. According to the .Org 99% of Bethelites were vaccinated, so i wouldn’t be shocked if the outline had some subtle bias and the speaker ran with it.

                  At Pioneer School i heard a similar “explanation” regarding blood from a overseer:

                  “God determined that blood is life, as the life-giver only he right to it. Instead of relying on Jesus sacrifice to grant us life, Blood transfusion is like us saying we don’t need Christ’s blood”.

                  Even though only the “anointed” are allowed to partake of the wine. Despite the literal commandment that all Christians should partake of the wine it’s treated as figurative. Yet when blood is figuratively represents life, it’s treated as literal.

                  Personally i would avoid consuming blood or getting a transfusion if possible, but at end of the day i think that Jehovah is more concerned about my literal life then it’s figurative symbol.

                  Again i want to state this is personal, not everyone’s conscience allow the same things. There is no explicit scripture regarding blood transfusion or vaccines.

                  ( For some reason editing my comment sends it to spam, i wanted for Manuel approval. but add this foot note the end seems like enough to get pass the auto filter )

            • Reply by Northernexposure on 2023-11-21 09:26:19

              If you have the zoom app already installed in your devise, and your profile, and pas word in place, simplyby going to the Beroean site, and clicking on the meeting you want should cause it to load automatically...well that's how it works on mine. *It does sometimes take a long time to load ...ususall several minutes...sometimes 20 minutes... depending on your internet speed.

      • Reply by PimaLurker on 2023-11-14 19:15:09

        Reading the recent watchtower "Rely on Jehovah, as Samson Did", felt i was watching someone scraping at God's Well for Pennies. Jehovah tore open a spring for Samson to drink from, because he relyed on God. Someone at the art department took the effort to make this crisp illustration of God's spring, yet the publications, halls and, GB is pasted on top. Samson got his strength from watching the GB updates and reading the ELF book.

        They identify Delilah as likely being a Israelite, one of God's people who is bribed into betraying one of God's servants. Samson relied on Delilah and loss Jehovah's support. What's going to happen i rely the Org? They have millions of God's servants relying on them, yet they continue to take brides. How do i know when i wake up, my hair isn't going to be cut off and im going be grinding mill for the philistines?

        In the annual meetings hair mentioned was part of the vows that defined a Nazirite's relationship with Jehovah. Yet Since Rutherford, the bread and wine which defines our relationship with Christ and his Father has been relegated only to a subclass of Christians. I feel guilty because i know need to these steps, yet im stuck living with my family till i can afford to move out. i can't find place were i could where could partake and wine or attend a Bible study in privacy. Meaning i need to find a way be upfront with my parents, without them actively barring from partaking or just removing my internet access.

        At this point i just been thinking of how to ween my parents off of the Org, but im physically strangling to even say anything. Due to being autistic and personal traumas, my mouth will physically refuses to function under extreme stress. In a way in kind of forces my only outlet to be prayer, in don't think i could have survived my anxiety without Jehovah to pray to. Iv'e been trying to bring out subjects that don't cause to much anxiety. I am planing just to mention the Apostle Junia to my mother since she always appreciates highlighting women in bible. The NWT follows many translations in rendering Junia in the male form " Junias". I hope this could at least open her mind to the idea that the Society isn't infallible.

        • Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-11-14 21:16:38

          Hello PimaLurker,

          You are in a difficult situation. Is there any way you could join us online? Our bible study groups meet at two different times every weekend. Here's the schedule: https://beroeans.net/events/

          We reserve the first meeting of the month for partaking of the wine and bread. You can join over the phone, so if you need to go so someplace private, you will still be able to share the Lord's meal with us. We study the Bible and allow all to comment. After the one hour meeting, we set up breakout rooms so that those who wish to discuss certain topics or who simply want to encourage one another can do so. You can join using an alias if you wish to preserve confidentiality.

          • Reply by PimaLurker on 2023-11-15 07:52:58

            There's a assembly this week, so there isn't any meeting Wednesday. I'll pray that by 7 i can manage a way to attend.

            • Reply by PimaLurker on 2023-11-15 19:05:46

              Im stupid the time was 7 for Australia, not my region. Though honestly i could manage to get up at that time, everyone would be asleep. So maybe i could manage a blessing out of it.

        • Reply by Northernexposure on 2023-11-16 00:17:37

          Hello PimaLurker
          Just know that it is extremely hard to ween people away from the Org. because they will listen to the Society above all fact, logic; and even the Bible. You'll need extreme patience. It took nearly 30 years for my wife to finally wake, and others in my family wont even consider life outside the Org. God knows your heart, and motives are good, so use discretion, and self preservation, and try not to get discouraged when things dont move along as speedily as youd hoped.
          Joining in the Zoom meetings when you can should be an encouragement to you.

          • Reply by PimaLurker on 2023-11-17 15:20:26

            Thank you, for me it was realizing the .org wasn't only outlet for my faith.

            You probably heard an analogy like this before:

            "Like the Titanic, Babylon is a sinking ship. It has luxuries, yet it's bound to sink. The Organisation is a life raft, it may lack certain luxuries but it's only thing sustaining you. All the Apostates have provide to is sinking"

            Now at a point in life my where i realize this "life raft" is sinking and Christ is the one helping me slowly walk across this water. Even for the Apostle Peter this was a scary process, each Christian will have to take this process at his or her own rate.

            I no longer dedicate myself to a single "life raft". Early Bible Students were not bound to any single church nor rigidly self-excluded from one. I actually found this site reading an article from a Belgian Bible Student site ( https://unmaskingantijehovahpeople.wordpress.com/2021/11/25/it-is-being-claimed-that-the-religious-group-now-known-as-the-jehovahs-witnesses-was-started-by-charles-taze-russell/ )

            I worry a bit that im just looking for another "life raft" to jump to, i considered Christadelphians but the more i looked into it, it had similar cultish practices. I don't know Belgian, though the Bible students there seem like fine brothers and sisters.

            I do think Eric has been very crude in the way he handles certain topics like the trinity model, but honesty most Christians seem to read with a trinitarian or non-trinitarian model already in mind and im not free from that. Both models try to explain the father and sons nature in a very simple terms, but at the same time i can't say i know any better model.

            • Reply by Northernexposure on 2023-11-18 19:46:20

              So Well stated! I too agree that most people have a model in mind. I consider myself a "partial trinitarian" because I can see it being usefull in explaining God,Christ, and the Holy Spirit (in some ways), and many radio Bible teachers that i respect use that model. JWs have been trained to hate the term to such an extent they fail to even consider that it has some value as a model, and I've noticed some former JWs have a erroneous viewpoint of Christ. He is of God class, and equal to the Father in essence.
              I don't necessarily agree with everything Eric teaches however I give him credit because he's learned so much in a relatively short time since he let the Org, and he does think outside of the box, and he gets me to think.
              You most certainly are a deep thinker, and I'm sure God is pleased with you in your search for truth! What's important is not whether you belong to a particular religion, (life raft) but your personal relationship with Christ. You are saved by faith alone...not the religion you attend.
              I will check out the link you included later. Check out the the Beroean Zoom bible study if you can.
              Take Care

              • Reply by Northernexposure on 2023-11-20 10:25:59

                A further bit of thought...Eph 4:14 "tossed by different winds of doctrine"... There are literally thousands of Christian "splinter groups" each thinking they know something special Many of these groups appear to be populated with "fine brothers, and sisters" but like the JW org, there is oft a hidden agenda, or shortcoming that doesnt become apparent until later. Be careful of the life raft you chose...there may be holes in it that are not visible till you get in deep water. Always put the Bible first.
                Tho you may not agree entirely with every topic, I consider this Beroean Pickets site a biblically solid, and safe "liferaft" for those who are seeking support, and escape, from the JW org. or those who are dealing with family members still in the org.

                • Reply by PimaLurker on 2023-11-20 13:42:30

                  When i comes to religion i think back to the Wheats and Weeds. You can’t tell till it’s time to harvest. Yet the org claims to “know” that their Church is the “Wheat” before the harvest somehow.

                  I don’t think we can just determine who are Wheat-Like Christians based of the Denomination someone belongs to. At the same time i don’t really feel i can continue giving myself to the org and still give what i to need to God. Again it’s like a weed, it drains the energy from everything around it.

                  That’s what’s so depressing to me, i still see so many Wheat-Like Christians stuck in the Org. Their faith is being siphoned away from Jehovah and Christ, and to a Church. I worry because i see so many witnesses put their faith the Church and the completely collapse when they leave. I can’t be saved by faith in a Church.

                  As for Models, i think my difficulty is that most English translations are done with a trinity model in mind, and the few that don’t, render certain texts in ways change anything that could be interpreted in that sense. Iv’e been a program called “Xiphos” to compare different translations, and dictionaries to try picking out bias. It actually functions pretty similar to the WT library CD-roms. Though you can any modules you want to it ( barring copyright, but that’s another discussion ).

                  Unfortunately i still need use WT Library if i want to read the Byington translation. I try formatting into a my own module for personal use, but doing so is a draw-out process. In hindsight it's actually better the Concordant translation wasn't published by Rutherford.

                  • Reply by Northernexposure on 2023-11-21 11:17:51

                    Wheat & weeds is a good analogy, and you're right that a denomination can't save anyone. Unfortunately the JWs believe it can. As Meleti said, you are in a difficult situation with your family, but you can be a beacon of Bible truth, and reason, but they may not see it like that, and even if they do it may take a very long time for you to see any results. It will take much discretion, and patience, so for your own well being, take care not to push too hard, as to strain your relationship. It is essential to maintain the love, and respect within your family if you have any hope of weening them out of the org.

                    It's commendable that you're concerned about translation bias, and you're correct in that every Bible is bias in some way according to the person, or groups belief, and background of those who produced it. Tho bias is not always intentional, it is almost unavoidable. A good book on this is "Truth in Translation" by author: Jason David BeDuhn. Unfortunately it is quite expensive on amazon. Other good free internet sites are...Bible Hub, and e-Sword. Both of these let you compare dozens of translations. * I still use the WT cd rom also, and frequent JW.org for their latest changes, and teachings, for I too am attempting to ween my family. Ha!

                    A very good English version i m o is the original 1901 American Standard.. *not New American Standard. Many scholars see it a worthy upgrade of the King James, and one of the best translations ever. It was translated from newly discoverd Greek texts in the later 19th century...The Westcott/Hort text, whereas the KJ was derived from another source or the "Received text"....which was written largely in Latin preserved by the Catholic Church... *this info is from memory, so please double check the accuracy.
                    Note: The ASV It is the Bible the early JWs favored until they published the NWT.

  • Comment by yobec on 2023-11-12 13:31:47

    Back a few years ago in the Know Jehovah book, there was a paragraph showing that when Nebuchadnezzar started his attack on Jerusalem, Ezekiel was told by Jehovah to be quiet. They mentionned that from the moment of the attack it would now be too late for anyone to be saved. While they applied the modern day scenario mostly to Christendom it also applied it to all it's adherents. Of course, this was believed to be so as it was looked upon as a type and anti-type. Most all of the publication we studied back then had to do with types and anti types . Now they have said that you cannot types and antitypes unless it is definitely shown in the Bible to be so. Ironically, they taught that they , that is the anointed, were the modern day true prophet as pictured by Ezekiel. Also, that the day would come when people would recognize that a true Prophet was amongst them but by the time this fact was recognized, it would be too late.

  • Comment by Northernexposure on 2023-11-13 08:28:57

    Dear Meleti
    As time drags on, the JW org is likely experiencing internal strife, and they are maneuvering to maintain membership, and their doctrine is house of cards. They basically just make stuff up as they go, and call it new light, and it's amazing the Society has fooled so many for so long? Fortunately, we're saved by faith, and not how well we understand script, or which religion we belong to, and hopefully the goodhearted faithful ones will be saved out of these evil organizations. The promoters of these false beliefs likely may not fare so well?

    I differ in my understanding of the great tribulation. The Bible says that God will call Israel together in the last days. In 1948 they got a portion of their land back, still we await the emergence of the anti Christ, and a 7 year period of great tribulation. God must uphold his promises made to Israel that are yet unfulfilled. How else are we to understand Revelation?
    This is the premillennialist teaching of Revelation held by many. After 50 plus years of Bible study, it seems to make most Biblical sense, but in my quest for pure truth, I'm always willing to consider other interpretations because prophesy is not fulfilled until it's fulfilled!

    You fill a vital need for ex JWs, and others. Looking forward to the next vid!

    • Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-11-13 12:07:36

      I'm curious about where the idea of a seven-year period of the great tribulation comes from. Can you enlighten me?

      • Reply by Northernexposure on 2023-11-14 11:06:02

        Yes Eric,
        Rev.11:2-3, Rev13:5, Dan12:7, 7:25, 8:14, Dan 9. Along with Mt.24 where we have to separate when Jesus is referring to 70 Ce, or his later return. There are several variations of thought on this, and it is a subject way too deep to go into detail here.
        I'll just say that during the years I spent associating with the JWs, I also spent the same years listening to the likes of prominent evangelical teachers such as J Vernon McGee, and David Jeremiah. I agree that there are things hard to comprehend in their interpretation, but makes most literal sense from a Bible perspective, and I choose to err on the side of literalism. Years of trying to understand Revelation exegetically on my own left me with little more than a headache, but I knew the JWs were wrong, so the next best viable option seemed to be the Baptist/evangelical teaching because they seemed to make best sense of the numbers in Daniel,& Revelation. I've also considered the teaching that the Catholic church & Pope fulfilled the role of the antichrist, (a popular belief that is easier to comprehend) but it falls short in historical fulfillment. Time, and circumstance has caused me to hang my hat on the pre minimalist view, and very recent crazy national & world events do seem to indicate things are shaping up towards that end, thus I have my eye on Israel. Still I must remind myself that since the Bible was written, and thru ensuing generations there was tribulation, and events that caused people to think the end was imminently upon them. (E.g... Bible letters of Paul, and John.) Only time will tell as we await empirical evidence!. I always let the door of understanding open, and I value your take on this subject. I believe you talk about this somewhat in your book, so I guess it is time for a review... Thank You!

  • Comment by LonelySheep on 2023-11-13 19:38:13

    As soon as I woke to the truth about JWs, it seemed clear to me that Babylon the Great was ALL man-made religious organizations. They all fall short, as there is no salvation in man. They have served some purpose, but I believe the time will be clear when we have to make a choice to "get out of her", a time for a choice to be made. Until then we are wise to hold loyalty to any human organization as conditional, and to be held with a light hand. As far as the question of can anyone be saved during the Great Trib... Jehovah our God is not evil. If there was no chance of repentance during the Great Trib, then what possible purpose would all the bad things happening serve? All the signs? Just to torture people? That doesn't fit with His character. Just as during the plagues on Egypt there was time to repent, it only makes sense that will also apply to the Great Trib.

    • Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-11-14 09:42:08

      Exactly. The current doctrine of JWs (It's still current until they make Jackson's talk public) that all will die except for loyal JWs at Armageddon was, like the doctrine of hellfire, a slander on the name and character of God.

  • Comment by Northernexposure on 2023-11-16 09:14:22

    Dear Meleti,
    This series on the annual meeting is especially helpful to me, and I've viewed this vid multiple times. I am in daily contact with many of my family members who are all JW's, and their one constant goal is to convert me. It's helpful for me to keep up with their latest teachings so I can counter their latest beliefs with logic (which incidentally never works). I wouldn't have access to their latest changes, so I, find your analysis extremely helpful, and your sprinkling of levity is appreciated! All the changes coming down from the Gov body are enough to make my head spin. It's just crazy.

  • Comment by Psalmbee on 2023-11-16 11:07:23

    The simple fact is that this is a cult with brainwashed members. It's very easy to shed new light on the mind controlled contributors. It's also almost impossible to put darkness on their light but Meleti is doing a fine job at doing just that.


    Psalmbee, (1Pet 4:17)

  • Comment by arnon on 2023-11-19 08:06:59

    I want to ask some questions:
    1. What should be done if there is mandatory military service in your country? to refuse or not?
    2. As far as I understand Satan has not yet been cast out of heaven. is it true? Do you have any idea when that will happen?

    • Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-11-19 09:52:28

      1: Not for me to make rules, nor is it for anyone else. You know the principles that apply, so you must use them according to your conscience.
      2: I believe he was cast out of heaven after Jesus died.

  • Comment by Oliver on 2023-11-21 14:41:01

    In Genesis 8,21 God already promised never to destroy all of humankind again, even without mentioning water at all. In Revelation 21, the favorite text of most JWs, it says, that God's tent will be with man and they will be his "peoples", plural. So, after Armageddon whole peoples will still exist. Not suprisingly they changed it to singular in their "silver sword". But their very own Interlinear still shows the original.
    When I stumbled upon this, a couple years ago, I started questioning the Armageddon horror story. Not much later your articles helped me to start questioning the rest of JW fantasies as well. Thanks a lot.

    • Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2023-11-27 11:11:31

      "Peoples", plural. Good catch, Oliver. Thank you.

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