As a teenager, I began to develop a deep-seated longing to know the truth; specifically, the truth about God. So, I began a search for the truth, much like the young Charles Taze Russell a century before me. Having attended Sunday school as a boy, I had always had a reverence for the Bible, and so I began reading the Gospels. I was also fascinated with Revelation.
Every Sunday, I attended a different church to see what they had to say—visiting the Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, Pentecostals, Lutherans, even the Christian Scientists. Sometimes, I would not even stay for the whole service, crossing them off the list as having nothing spiritual to offer.
Finally, through different acquaintances, I came into possession of two crates of Watchtower books and bound volumes—pretty much every book the Watchtower published from 1970 to 1950. I devoured them. I was especially impressed with the way Bible prophecy was explained and was thrilled to learn that God has a personal name. I knew early on that I had found the truth. I immediately began witnessing to family members, friends, and even strangers. One female friend, Kim Mullens, was very receptive and even became baptized before I did.
Having been somewhat radicalized by the 1960s counterculture and antiwar movements, I appreciated the Watchtower’s stance of neutrality and political noninvolvement. Eventually, I undertook a formal Bible study with a brother, John Petty, whom I had known from high school, and I became baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It was a privilege to be part of Jehovah’s organization.
I especially enjoyed the ministry and public speaking. My wife and I were both pioneers for a while, and I served as an elder in the early 1990s. Our circuit overseer said that on his next visit, he would recommend me as a substitute circuit overseer; I was really looking forward to that, however, my circumstances would not allow me to stay in full-time ministry. Looking back, it seems that Jehovah was only preparing me for another assignment—one that would require that I go it alone.
For no particular reason, in October 1996, I picked up a Bible and opened it to the middle of Ezekiel and started reading. I read for several hours. The next day was the same—reading for hours and hours, even all day. It went on for weeks. I was compelled. I read all of the Hebrew prophets over and over. Looking back, Jehovah was giving me a private tutorial, a crash course in Bible prophecy. I would wake up in the middle of the night and know who the king of the north is and the shining one. I was immersed. Gradually, it dawned upon me that my sudden, inexplicable Bible reading marathon was a manifestation of the anointing by the holy spirit. It literally came out of the blue, as they say.
In some sense, like Paul after his anointing, I did not consult with any humans but went off to “Arabia”—continually reading, pondering, praying, and watching. Then, in 2001, the Watchtower was exposed for having secretly been involved in a political partnership with the United Nations. Around 1997, I was researching NGOs because I wanted to understand their role in moving nations toward a world government, and I was puzzled to see the Watchtower listed as an accredited NGO on the UN’s website. I kept it to myself for the time being. At the same time, in 2001, the dirty secrets of the organization’s callous treatment of child abuse victims were publicized on national TV. It then became apparent to me what Jehovah had been preparing me for. As the Internet was really just coming of age, I was compelled to announce that the Watchtower had apostatized.
At that same time, January 2002, I woke up one morning, and again, out of the blue, my first thought was a crystal-clear awareness that 1914 was a fraud. In time, Jehovah revealed to me that he had allowed for an operation of Satan to fabricate a false dawn. Since then, it has become increasingly apparent.
After starting up a website, Timothy, my webmaster, suggested that I write a book. It had never occurred to me that such a thing was even possible, but as the articles accumulated, I felt compelled to continue writing. Consequently, the first edition of Jehovah Has Become King was made available in 2005, which was also the year I was disfellowshipped.
What distinguishes me from the growing number of ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses is that I firmly believe the Watchtower is Jehovah’s earthly organization, as advertised, but wicked men have subverted it. It is the missing piece of the prophetic puzzle. It is, in fact, impossible to understand the prophecies without recognizing that the Watchtower is the modern counterpart to apostate Jerusalem in the days of Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and the other prophets.
What lies ahead for me? I don’t know. In some sense, it seems my work is done. I have pretty much published everything I know anyway. For these past two decades, I have pointed forward to another world war—a war that the Watchtower says cannot happen—a war which will commence the time of the end and lead up to the visible presence of Christ to the chosen. And here we are on the precipice of global war, even nuclear war.
On the other hand, how could I be done? Jeremiah was in Jerusalem when the Babylonian siege began. He continued prophesying even after the city fell.
It has been more than half a century since I set out on a quest to find God. Over these many years, I have more and more come to appreciate and understand that seeking the truth—seeking Jehovah—is an ongoing quest. He has not let himself be found by anyone. At least not yet.
I wish that all of Jehovah’s Witnesses would know that finding the truth, even being in the truth, is not a one-time thing. God has yet to reveal the real truth. That is what the manifestation, revelation, yes, the presence of Christ, is all about. Prepare to be shocked and terrified. But don’t let yourself become paralyzed in fear.
Jehovah willing, I intend to stay alert, keep a close watch, and fulfill my commission as a watchman. Borrowing the words of Habakkuk: “At my guardpost I will keep standing, and I will station myself on the rampart. I will keep watch to see what he will speak by means of me and what I will reply when I am reproved.”
