Most of the 3 congregations in my little island in Greece became Wirnesses prior to 1975 in these 10-15 years, the aftermath was followed by a purge of those that questioned the date.Many brothers and sisters sold houses, stored food for the incoming tribulation and penalised on the aftermath.I was only 7 and only found out years later
raymond frantz
JoinedPosts by raymond frantz
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1975 !
by Sea Breeze inhow many of you here remember 1975?
i hope the newer generations never forget.the true believers got shamed for it.
those who were hedging their bets, fared much better.
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The Watchtower's Distortion of Proverbs 11:9: Replacing 'Godless' with 'Apostate'
by raymond frantz infrom this week's life & ministry:.
in proverbs 11:9, the new world translation reads:.
"by his mouth the apostate brings his neighbor to ruin, but by knowledge the righteous are rescued.".
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raymond frantz
From this week's Life & Ministry:
In Proverbs 11:9, the New World Translation reads:
"By his mouth the apostate brings his neighbor to ruin, But by knowledge the righteous are rescued."
At first glance, this rendering may seem faithful to the original text, but a closer look reveals a deliberate distortion. The Hebrew word translated here as "apostate" is חָנֵף (chaneph), meaning godless, profane, or morally corrupt. It does not refer to an apostate — someone who abandons a particular faith or belief system — but rather to any person who lacks reverence for God. Virtually all reputable translations recognize this. Versions like the NIV, ESV, and NASB use "godless" to accurately reflect the intent of the passage.
The Watchtower, however, chooses to substitute "apostate," a word that does not appear in the original Hebrew, inserting it into the Old Testament text where it simply does not belong. This alteration is not accidental. It serves a very specific narrative promoted by the organization: that anyone who leaves or criticizes them must be viewed not just as someone in error, but as a dangerous and corrupt individual on par with the truly godless.
By inserting "apostate" where the Bible originally speaks of the godless, the Watchtower blackens all who depart from their organization, branding them as wicked and spiritually destructive. It recasts legitimate dissenters and whistleblowers as enemies of God himself, rather than individuals seeking truth or exposing wrongdoing. This manipulation reinforces fear and loyalty among members, making it spiritually terrifying to question or walk away from the organization.
The real tragedy is that Proverbs 11:9, as originally written, speaks to a broader spiritual principle: that the godless can bring harm through their deceit, but the righteous are preserved by wisdom and understanding. It was never intended as a tool to threaten or malign those who conscientiously disagree. By distorting the word of God, the Watchtower undermines the very Scriptures it claims to uphold, substituting its own authority in place of divine truth.
In the end, it is not the apostate who brings ruin through deception, but those who manipulate the sacred text for their own ends.
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Bible Reading Schedule, Dumbed Down?
by Slidin Fast inhas any body noticed that the bible reading schedule has been reduced to one chapter per week.
does any one know if this is a policy change or something temporary?
at this rate the complete cycle will take 22 years plus..
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raymond frantz
The current gb are incapable to produce any meaningful changes they are not scholars dumbing down is the only way forward
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What does the Catholic church think of JW?
by Halcon inon a trip to rome a few years ago i asked my friend (who is roman and jw) what the catholic faith thinks of jw.
he simply stated that jw is tolerated by the church but that really not much thought is given to them.
is there an official stance on jw by the catholics?
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raymond frantz
The Carholic Church may not have been as sharp in their criticism of Jehovah’s Witnesses but the Orthodox Church has denounced them for being a Free masonic and Zionist organization
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Live long and prosper: WT JULY 2025
by raymond frantz in"now more than ever, we need to focus on our hope.
because we are living in 'the last days' and we all have problems that are 'hard to deal with.
' (2 tim.
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raymond frantz
@Blondie
@jhine
You're welcome
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BABYLON THE GREAT IS NOT FALLING ANYMORE? (NEW LIGHT FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING)
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/rsbfa_7lqv4?si=muuxmgtll1n1ifad.
the watchtower’s babylon the great: a shrinking reality?.
so this latest annual meeting introduced a new idea about babylon the great, and here is the part from geoffrey jackson's talk we real need to dig in and consider it's ramifications..... so you’ve got to hand it to them; they know how to keep things interesting with their ever-evolving interpretations and, of course, those classic "adjustments" in understanding.
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raymond frantz
@Vijay, My post is the articulation of 6 months changes on Banylon the Great that started with the Annual Meeting in November -
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Live long and prosper: WT JULY 2025
by raymond frantz in"now more than ever, we need to focus on our hope.
because we are living in 'the last days' and we all have problems that are 'hard to deal with.
' (2 tim.
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Live long and prosper: WT JULY 2025
by raymond frantz in"now more than ever, we need to focus on our hope.
because we are living in 'the last days' and we all have problems that are 'hard to deal with.
' (2 tim.
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raymond frantz
The very latest Watchtower Study article July 2025
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Live long and prosper: WT JULY 2025
by raymond frantz in"now more than ever, we need to focus on our hope.
because we are living in 'the last days' and we all have problems that are 'hard to deal with.
' (2 tim.
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raymond frantz
"Now more than ever, we need to focus on our hope. Why? Because we are living in 'the last days' and we all have problems that are 'hard to deal with.' (2 Tim. 3:1) Jehovah daily helps us to endure by giving us the guidance, strength, and support we need. (Ps. 145:14) In addition, our Christian hope can sustain us during difficult times. Perhaps you struggle to provide for your family’s material needs. Does this mean that you will always have to struggle to survive? Absolutely not! Jehovah has promised to give you what you need—and much, much more—in Paradise. (Ps. 9:18; 72:12-14)" — Watchtower Study Edition, Study Article 31, paragraph 13
Oh, isn’t it just uplifting to hear that Paradise is coming to solve all our woes? The Watchtower’s got us covered with promises of a future where empty wallets and bare cupboards will be nothing but a distant memory. Struggling to buy groceries? Can’t pay the rent? No worries—Jehovah’s got a five-star resort waiting in the New System, complete with all-you-can-eat blessings. Just hang in there, keep preaching, and don’t let those pesky present-day needs harsh your spiritual vibe. Sounds like a plan, right?
But let’s pivot to a little wisdom from James 2:15-16 (NIV(, which cuts through the fluff like a hot knife through butter: “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you(=THE WATCHTOWER) says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed(=AND LOOK FORWARD TO PARADISE),’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” Ouch. James isn’t here for empty platitudes or pious well-wishes. He’s calling out anyone who sees a shivering, hungry brother or sister and offers nothing but a cheery “God bless!” before strolling off to their cozy life. Spoiler alert: that’s not faith; it’s a cop-out.
Now, let’s talk about the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, the folks behind those glossy Watchtower magazines. In 2023, their Canadian branch alone pulled in a jaw-dropping $142,205,759 CAD. With 124,407 Jehovah’s Witnesses in Canada, that’s roughly $1,143.29 per member. And globally? Whispers suggest the organization’s total worth could be in the billions—yep, that’s billions with a “B.” That’s some serious cash for a group that loves to talk about spiritual riches over material ones. You’d think with that kind of bankroll, they’d be tripping over themselves to help out the faithful who can’t afford a loaf of bread.
Instead, it seems the big bucks go toward building Kingdom Halls, often with free labor from the very members who might be skipping meals to make ends meet. And here’s the kicker: some of those halls get sold off later, padding the organization’s already plump coffers. Meanwhile, the brother or sister James is talking about—the one without clothes or food—is still out there, maybe clutching a Watchtower magazine for warmth while being told to “keep warm and well fed.” Ironic, isn’t it?
James would probably have a few choice words for this setup. His point is crystal clear: faith that doesn’t lift a finger to help someone in need is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. The early Christians got the memo, pooling their resources to make sure no one went hungry or homeless. Acts 2:44-45 and 4:34-35 tell us they sold their stuff to cover each other’s needs, creating a community where “there were no needy persons among them.” No one was left to fend for themselves with a pat on the back and a promise of better days. They acted, and they acted fast.
So, what could the Watch Tower do with all that dough? Well, they could take James’ advice and get practical. How about setting up food banks for struggling Witnesses? Or maybe some emergency funds for those facing eviction? Affordable housing projects wouldn’t hurt either—imagine the good press: “Watch Tower Helps Faithful Stay Housed!” But instead, the focus seems to be on real estate deals and preaching campaigns, while the faithful are told to keep their eyes on Paradise. It’s almost like they’re saying, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” without handing over so much as a sandwich.
Don’t get me wrong—the Watchtower’s message of hope is a crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t want to believe in a future where every need is met, courtesy of Jehovah’s divine Amazon Prime? And their meetings and literature do offer a spiritual boost, which is great for the soul. But James isn’t impressed with spiritual pep talks when someone’s literally starving. Faith, he says, shows itself in action—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, not just promising they’ll be fine in the afterlife.
With billions in assets, the Watch Tower has the muscle to do more than churn out magazines and build halls. They could be a lifeline for their members, turning James’ warning into a blueprint for change. Picture community centers where Witnesses can pick up groceries or get help with utility bills. Or vocational programs to help young ones land jobs that pay the rent. These aren’t wild fantasies—they’re the kind of things a multi-billion-dollar organization could knock out without breaking a sweat.
But for now, the script seems to be: keep preaching, keep hoping, and keep ignoring that rumbling stomach. The organization’s wealth keeps growing, those Kingdom Halls keep flipping, and the faithful keep hearing that Paradise is just around the corner. James, though, would probably shake his head and ask, “What good is it?” Faith that doesn’t meet physical needs isn’t faith—it’s just words. And with the Watch Tower’s bank account, they’ve got no excuse for offering anything less than real, tangible help.
Hope is great, but hope with a side of action is better. The Watchtower loves to quote Psalms 145:14 and 72:12-14 about Jehovah lifting up the needy, but James 2:15-16 reminds us that sometimes Jehovah’s people need to do the lifting. With their massive resources, the Watch Tower could make a dent in the struggles of their flock, proving their faith isn’t just talk. Until then, it’s hard not to hear James’ words echoing: “What good is it?”—especially when the answer seems to be buried under a pile of cash.
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Blood decisions are now your problem: WT JULY 2025
by raymond frantz inthe following is from the latest study watchtower july 2025, study article 28, paragraph 17:.
each christian must make up his or her own mind about whether to accept or to reject these fractions.
we may find it a challenge to understand this matter fully, but making decisions like this is part of the load that each of us must carry.
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raymond frantz
Duran, this is not a Watchtower Study Article, I'm willing to bet the blood cards will also dissappear within the next 5 years for the same reason. Can't remember when was the last time they addressed that in their jw broadcasting either.