Hello Forum Members !
My name is Bradley ! I was a Jehovah's Witness for approximately 20 years, from 1983 through 2004, resigning from that denomination in April of 2004. My reason(s) for leaving had nothing to do with any personally related conflict with anyone. The extremism of their legalism in matters where the Scriptures are not explicitly clear, unfulfilled and/or false prophecies, Flip flop changing of doctrines and double standards in application of rules were the main catalysts that led to my departure. I took it upon myself to undertake a thorough examination of their teachings and history. During that time, I had personal contact with former Governing body member Raymond Franz who resigned from the Governing Body in 1980 and was subsequently disfellowshipped from the organization in 1982 for eating a meal with his disassociated friend Peter Gregerson. Raymond Franz is well known by former JW's through the writing of two books, Crisis Of Conscience & In Search Of Christian Freedom. He and I corresponded through letter writing & telephone conversations for about three years. He passed away in 2011.
Around 2006 it dawned on me that throughout my entire life I had tried to avoid sin and do whats right with my own power and it was never enough. I reasoned that we as Humans couldn't avoid sinning or wrongdoing through our own ability or righteousness, so how could we be worthy enough to merit salvation. Also, I realized that since I wanted to be forgiven for what I had done, how could I be self-righteous to think I was any better than others, regardless of how bad they were. It didn't make sense to me that God would " Eternally " punish anyone based on such a short life span, a life span that rarely exceeded 90 years. That didn't seem logical or just. I reasoned that an endless type of punishment outweighed the offense.
I did some research on-line about those who believed in the eventual salvation of all, this was in early 2007. I read John Wesley Hanson, Alexander Thomson, Adolph Knoch, J Preston Eby, Andrew Jukes, Louis Abbott and others, learning about the true meaning(s) of Aion, Aions, Aionios, Olethros, Apollumi, Kolasin, Krisis, Krino and other words related to Time, length and punishment. I discovered how these words were misused, misunderstood and misinterpreted.
Eventually I came across L Ray Smith's Site and became a forum member in 2008, leaving about 6 months after his death in 2012. I learned allot of important teachings from L Ray Smith and I'm thankful for gaining this important knowledge. I learned that God is 100% Sovereign and is in control of everything, every quirk and quark. He declares the beginning and ending on every matter and does whatever He pleases, wills or desires, nothing happening in life by chance. I learned that Man has no " free will " or free moral agency. Everything that happens is the result of cause/effect. None of us are righteous of our own accord, our " righteousness " is as filthy rags. It's only through His righteousness by His grace that we can do anything good, all credit goes to Him. I believe everyone who ever lived, including Satan will be reconciled to God, but in their own order. However, most of mankind are not saved in this physical life, only His chosen elect or saints. Many are called and few are chosen and It's the Lord who drags all men to Himself. I don't claim to be one of His Elect, so as of now, it appears that I will require purification and pruning after the grave, just like some of the purifying fires I've endured in the present life.
After leaving the Bible-Truths Forum, I spent a few years associating with those at The Path Of Truth Site. They have many good articles with clear reasoning and illustrations proving the eventual reconciliation of all mankind. They address sin thoroughly in our personal life, making a distinction between weaknesses & infirmities of the flesh contrasting that with sin. We all have weaknesses & infirmities of the flesh, even the Lord had them. However the practice of deliberate sin in our lives shouldn't be ignored. There's a difference between committing " a sin" and the practice of sin or sin having dominion. L Ray Smith taught this too. I became good friends with Paul Cohen who is no longer at The Path Of Truth. Last I heard he moved to Israel, but I haven't been able to contact him. All in all, I'm thankful for all the individuals the Lord has used to help me in my spiritual journey. The Jehovah's Witnesses, Raymond Franz, Gary Amirault, Alexander Thomson, L Ray Smith, Victor Hafichuk, Paul Cohen and several others.
If anyone has any questions or comments, feel free to make them. Kind Regards, Bradley !
Hi Bradley!
I loved reading your story! I'm looking forward to hearing more!
Quote from: Bradley Alan Mathews on June 18, 2018, 11:22:52 PM
The extremism of their legalism in matters where the Scriptures are not explicitly clear, unfulfilled and/or false prophecies, Flip flop changing of doctrines and double standards in application of rules were the main catalysts that led to my departure.
Pretty common that when we start asking questions, the religion does not answer.
Quote from: Bradley Alan Mathews on June 18, 2018, 11:22:52 PM
it dawned on me that throughout my entire life I had tried to avoid sin and do what's right with my own power and it was never enough. I reasoned that we as Humans couldn't avoid sinning or wrongdoing through our own ability or righteousness, so how could we be worthy enough to merit salvation.
Right on!
I.M.O that is the start of the inner being awakening which changes everything. Bit by bit the old is stripped off and replaced by the truth which literally sets us free.
I have read many of the same writer/authors that you quote. Some great stuff there. Makes so much sense and heightens the significance of who we are, why we are here, what Christ actually did for us and what a glorious future role He has set up for us.
This current life change of perspective is awesome.
Paul's teachings point out the principles and differentiate between the law and the grace and explain the role of the law to set up the grace. All necessary as to grasping the real love of God, and the ages to come to set up the new heaven and earth for ALL mankind.
Nothing can keep us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We have Christ in us to be able to grasp the size of their love for us.
God can and does more for us than we can grasp or imagine.
All positive for me- and gets deeper every day as we grow in the love and wisdom that He give us.
Former JW here ,too!
Yes ,it sure is !!! a lot of confusion by mixing in idols of the heart .........Babylon is religion , the great whore of the earth with all the daughters
birthing the offspring full of prideful superiority over mankind though the dark ages though sexual immorality lusting of the sexual nature to feel that climax , thrill of release a freedom of Lascivious behavior is sexual behavior or conduct that is considered crude and offensive, or contrary to local moral or other standards of appropriate behavior.............
Rev 17 5On her forehead a mysterious name was written: Babylon the Great, the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth.
All the things that defile Gods good name and He hates , for He is a jealous God and a consuming fire
Deut 4 Warning Against Idolatry
...23Be careful that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you;
do not make an idol for yourselves in the form of anything He has forbidden you.
24For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
25 After you have children and grandchildren and you have been in the land a long time,
if you then act corruptly and make an idol in the form of anything, doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God and provoking Him to anger,...
I have noticed that sexual immorality is a HUGE part of stumbling and error in the world over the course of time and place .
God gave us all desires of the heart , feeling loved is a part of making love and in a marriage covenant /agreement , but some how it all got way out of hand
I do believe a lot of misguided souls use sex as a feeling for passion and a natural high with each other and replace it for the LOVE OF GOD ... and has become their secret sin ... Romans 1 it is funny how that explains all the sexual immorality in a nutshell .... and how mankind looses his way by doing this very thing , it separates us from God because of the shame involved in doing those things that natural urges that come upon us to tempt the flesh into doing these inconvenient acts that goes against our moral character or more so moral compass , the center of our being .
I have seen it with many people I know , they just want to be loved , so they use that intimacy to feel alive .
It has caused a lot of suffering in the world and shame and stumbling , pain and hurt with strong emotions of betrayal , children without a loving nurturing stable environment of having both parents working together as one and feelings of guilt as if it is somehow their fault . insecurity can cause even more insecurity in the process that effects everyone touched by it in a negative way .
The same can be said for the goodness of God , it in turn effects everyone in a positive way
I believe when the Holy Spirit gives you this amazing pure and Holy feeling of Love from God that makes you feel alive we crave more of this Love and less and less of the other kinds of corrupt impulses many thrive upon from others calling it love , but it is in fact sexual immorality from lusting desires of the heart that only cause even more pain and heartache separation from GOD and feelings of abandonment ..
Everyone need to know the love of GOD , it is the single most precious thing to come to understand and build upon this moral truth , holding or manifesting high principles in Jesus Christ , our Standard set for proper conduct in the truth that sets us free from the corrupt worldly nature by overcoming the world with our heavenly guide and our true nature . :2c:
how wonderful that you have found the truth of UR....so many are still in ignorance....we who know the truth are blessed !....it's so easy for me to take my wonderful knowledge of UR for granted...thanks for your post !.
I don't claim to be one of His Elect, so as of now, it appears that I will require purification and pruning after the grave, just like some of the purifying fires I've endured in the present life.
Hi....sorry I'm a bit late to read this intro.
I was a Jehovah's Witness too - some 20 years.
I feel like you....and I do believe I am in a 'pruning' and 'refining' journey like so many of mankind...and I'm guessing it's a long, long Road for me.
But I trust with full heart, that my Creator desires to mold me...so I keep faith and joy.
As a JW, the madness of the legalism destroyed my trust in the leadership...I tired of the swings and roundabouts and the constant playing with our faith.
It just wasn't healthy for me.
I watched to many JWs live out a life in dark depressive despair...it seemed to me, that a life of faith should be wide, at peace, gentle and good.
Anyway, I'm ever grateful for this wonderful hope and confidence that our God is great.
Victorious over every last thing. 👍
YOU'VE COME IN FROM THE COLD - WELCOME!
Early on, I learned some things from the witnesses.. and to this day prefer one or two of their views.. but like with all human groups and human affairs, they become or have their fair share of error in belief and doctrine and the human frailties so common to humans! Namely legalism, a sort of arrogance, etc.. etc.. Every church I've visited, which truth be told, hasn't been many.. I can see, hear and feel the Spirit of the Lord at first and for a while.. what He is teaching, etc. But after a while, seeing the human comes into play and it's downhill from there. If I could keep my view on the above and the guidance - the Spirit at work - it would be better, but alas.. soon enough I feel pressure to conform. :eek: and I see myself putting on my best phony behavior! Which i hate! Shudder.. :laughing7:
But, I have always been good at separating, as to doctrine, etc, the wheat from the chaff. I've even come across (of course) what I think of as not quite accurate views in UR. Not surprising, and I'm sure I have my own errors of perception aplenty! I accept it that none of us, and certainly no group, has it all together 100% accurate.
But! I do believe we shall all see in complete clarity when He is done with us. [And I think praise and worship purifies us, as well as hardships!] I believe the sealing on the foreheads of Rev 7 (during a long particular 'pause' will be this 100% clarity/virgin minds,foreheads of 144,000 and a great crowd- too many to number - from every tribe, nation, etc before end time events escalate and the particular pause (of a new fiery wind? seal 6 of chapter 6, but which is described in ch 6 in its totality, confusing the vision) ends.. um, that's me going down one of my habitual rabbit holes :laughing7: namely bible prophecy.
...But won't it be great when only truth remains standing. And no more human frailty and :eek: pride/legalism.
:Peace2: :gsmile: Of one thing I am certain. God loves us and He has our blueprint (best one). Submitting and yielding ourselves to Him is our "reasonable sacrifice". He is perfect. Perfect makes no mistakes, can lose nothing and certainly, nobody. And the best 'end' result of all this - history, etc - is the only one possible, the best one possible, that is, having done all things - and allowed all things - just as He has, in order to bring about the utter best 'end' result possible. He, only able to be pristinely and utterly perfect. :HeartThrob: :cloud9:
Hi friend,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
I have several relatives who are members of Jehovah's Witnesses.
I follow their spiritual walk and see how much they need help and understanding because of the very rigid interpretation they follow.
Glad to know that it is possible for them to embrace Universal Salvation someday.
Blessings,
Jarson Brenner
Jeremiah 29:13 New International Version (NIV)
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Enough said! :dsunny:
D.
Thank you everyone that commented for your responses ! My apologies for not responding sooner. In my free time, I share allot of articles about spiritual things from various sources and I wrote a few notes myself, giving credit where do from those I've referenced from.
Those that might be interested in friending me on face book, it would be appreciated. Look for Bradley Alan Mathews, you will see a picture of my wife and I. She is 4'10" with blonde hair and glasses and I'm 6"1" with dark hair.
Also, I'm leaving for Spain tomorrow and will remain there for about 6 weeks. My wife is from Spain, but is American too ! Mi esposa es de Espana Tambien. Did I get that right, lol. Eventually, Lord willing, I shall be moving to Spain permanently next June 2019.
That's awesome! Have a safe trip! And a great visit! :Pray:
I hope you will check in from time to time! God bless you and your wife! :gsmile: "God is good.."