Test All Things
I became involved with Jehovah's Witnesses in High School when a classmate asked me if I'd like to know about her faith. In the weeks prior I had noticed she seemed different, from how she once presented herself, as well as how she dressed. Little did I know then, that this short meeting would have a profound and lasting affect on my life.
I was raised a Catholic. I was told not to go near the door when JW's came by. As a child I used to wonder why? Who are these people that go door-to-door, and who is this Jehovah that they are witnessing about? I grew up in up in a religious home where the example of attending church was not only set, but also required. My parents were faithful to take us, as well as going themselves to church. I attended catechism weekly. In High School I still attended church weekly, but my faith was not something I really thought about a lot. I say this because I was not "searching for something" or even doubting my faith at the time I spoke to this JW classmate.
During that first meeting, which took place in the school library, I was told how JW's were actively proclaiming God's kingdom throughout the world. I was told they alone proudly bore God's name taken from Isa. 43:10 (KJV) The name "Jehovah" for God was a revelation to me. I was also told how the doctrine of the Trinity was an invention of man. I was told it was pagan. I was shown John 14:28 where Jesus said " The father is greater than I" This really stunned me, and seemed irrefutable evidence that Jesus could not be equal to his father.
I had often wondered about the concept of the Trinity. I was challenged to look up verses in my family Catholic Bible, which I did. I was shocked to find the same scriptures. Another verse I was told to look up was Mark 13:32. In this verse Jesus said there were some things that he didn't know, but that only the father knew. I was hooked. These people not only had great zeal, but could back up their beliefs by the clear reading of Scripture-or so I thought at the time. When I would question my mother about such beliefs as the Trinity I was simply told it is a mystery, and we accept it by faith. This was not enough for someone who was challenged about beliefs I had always believed.
I was now eager to learn more from my new friends, and was given a study book to assist me I was told in learning the basics of their faith. The book contained beautiful art work, short chapters and questions at the bottom of each page. I was excited to learn "The truth" as the book proclaimed. At first my study took place at school during my lunch period. One concerned teacher lent me the book "Thirty years a Watch Tower slave". I glanced through it, but sad to say I did not read it. I had already been warned that some even family would oppose my study with JW's.
When this occurs I was told to rejoice because I was being persecuted just like Jesus and the first Christians. It also proved that what they were telling me was true, because I was discouraged by family and friends. A good friend at the time also tried in vain to discourage my study, however sadly he too had no real reasons as to why I should stop, and so I continued to study and read. Everytime I met with my JW friends I was given more Watch Tower and Awake magazines. I was usually careful to hide them from my mother since I knew she would be furious if she knew I was studying with JW's. I would hide Watch Tower magazines in my room. One day they were discovered by my mom, and my secret was out. My mother couldn't be more upset with me. She yelled at me, and I felt very persecuted for studying the one true faith. I knew now, I had to be more careful in bringing Watch Tower material into my home. My mother did what she thought I needed and made sure I went to our family church even more often.
Soon, I also began attending public talks and other meetings with my new friends. Of course I did this all apart from the knowledge of my family, when I could get away. Within time I believed fully the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses. I was torn however, because I was afraid to make a stronger commitment. I didn't want to hurt my mother, even though I couldn't disagree with her more. I was told the end was very close, and to be apart from Jehovah's organization would mean losing my hope of eternal life on paradise earth. As God would have it, for a time I backed away from my studies with my friends. Even though I wasn't actively studying, I attended meetings when I could, and bought and collected more Watch Tower material. Mentally I was a JW. Time passed and I was helping to take care of my mother who was now very ill. My JW friends made contact with me once again, and slowly I was convinced I needed to resume my study because "time was so short" Secretly again, I began studying. This time I was determined to complete my study and show my commitment to Jehovah and his organization. I wanted to be baptized, even if it hurt my family. I was on preparing to be baptized.
During my continued study in preparation for baptism, one Saturday evening I was hannel surfing when I heard something about Jehovah's Witnesses. I stopped on that program. What I heard in the next few minutes was disturbing to say the least. Four former JW women on "The John Ankerberg show" were sharing their experiences as JWs. Combined, the four woman had over a 100 years of Watch Tower service. Many of them were born and raised, and lived as JWs for the majority of their adult life. They spoke about the false prophesies, lies, and deliberate cover-ups published by the organization.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing! I continued watching because these women not only made these allegations, but they were quoting from Watch Tower books and magazines to document what they were saying! One allegation made by Joan Cetnar on the panel really caught my attention. Joan spoke about how the Watch Tower had knowingly used a known spiritist, Johannes Greber to support the JW doctrines, esp. in regard to Jesus not being God, and the Trinity being false, among other areas. She quoted from one source that I had close by. I checked it and was shocked to discover the quote from Greber was in my book, just as she had quoted it!
Needless to say I was angry, and confused by what I was hearing. I was sure there were answers to these allegations that I was not aware of. The Watch Tower is famous for telling people "If we have the truth we should not be afraid to examine our religion" I was willing to challenge these women and their allegations and I wrote a letter to the program, expressing my opinion. I received addresses for all four women, who I wrote, challenging all they spoke on. Soon, I received lots of mail from all four.
They sent pages of photo documentation, which I took to my local Kingdom hall library. Secretly I compared pages sent with the actual material. I was devastated by what I discovered. The allegations of lies, deception, false prophesies were all true, I had been deceived. I knew at that moment I could never become a baptized Jehovah's Witness. I put together a letter with my questions and citations, hoping that perhaps the elder I was studying with would have some explanations. In the back of my mind I was really hoping for this. The alternative was unthinkable. I sent the letter.
Instead of help, I was rejected, and told I was no longer welcome. Shortly after this discovery, my mother passed away. I felt like my whole life was crumbling away. I was so shattered for a short time that I rejected God. For awhile I felt there was no God. I thank Him now, that He did not reject me. My new friends, the four former JWs did not forget me. They were all faithful to pray for me, and continually presented the REAL JESUS to me. My dear friend Jean Eason told me I could have a relationship with the Lord of the universe. She also helped me realize that just because the JWs claim to have all the answers does not mean they have the right answers.
This is when I believe the Lord spoke so clearly to my heart and told me to believe in Him apart from having all the answers to all my questions. If I would simply trust in Him to save me, He would. I prayed with all my heart for God to save me. The weight of deception lifted. As a child in Christ, I had to learn all over again who God really is. I had to know and accept the true gospel. My struggles did not immediately disappear, but this time I had Jesus in my life to see me through the tough times.
Now as I continue learning from God's word, no longer looking through Watch Tower glasses, the Scriptures have come alive to me! Now I see the truth which I never noticed before. The Lord soon impressed upon me that the reason He had me go through this experience was so that I might help others who have been deceived by the Watch Tower or other false belief systems. He placed in my heart a desire to point others to the true Jesus.
My deep desire out of a heart of gratitude and love is to see all JWs come to know the true Jesus, and not a counterfeit one. God has used wonderful people to bring the true gospel to me, and I know firsthand that our witness does make a difference in peoples lives. I want to encourage you who are believers to never feel your witness is in vain. Speaking to those in the cults is not easy, but with prayer and preparation God can speak to a person's heart. No person caught in the web of a cult is ever so tangled that God cannot release them. He can, and still does.
God can use your witness to one who has been deceived. Remember however, do not expect results overnight. It took time for a person to become indoctrinated into Watch Tower theology, it will take time to work out all cultic thought and practice in someone steeped in cultic beliefs. God's work in a persons life is not always as fast as we would like. I thank God He was patient with me. By God's grace I can thank God for the veil that was lifted in my life. (2 Cor. 4:3-5)