David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 9/13/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 9/13/26

Did Jesus Have a “Beginning”?

“And unto the angel of the church of Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God, …”
—Revelation 3:14

Jehovah’s Witnesses use this text to ‘prove’ that Jesus had a beginning. This is a gross misreading of the text. Other verses the Witnesses will resort to include Proverbs 8:22, John 14:28 and Colossians 1:15-16.

There are two ways the Witnesses should be answered on this text.

Dawne 9/6/26 Dawne 9/6/26

NWT* Bible Passages to Ponder: Rom. 8:26-27

Romans 8:26-27

What are the two activities of the “holy spirit” in this passage? Does this strike you as the activity of an impersonal force much like electricity?

Denise, content; Dawne, editor 8/30/26 Denise, content; Dawne, editor 8/30/26

NWT* Bible Passages to Ponder: 2 Cor. 12:1b-4

2 Corinthians 12:1b-4 (NWT)

If a person cannot exist outside of the body, why did Paul not know whether he was transported to paradise in his body or out of it?

We welcome comments.

Denise, content; Dawne, editor 8/23/26 Denise, content; Dawne, editor 8/23/26

NWT* Bible Passages to Ponder: 2 Cor. 3:12-18

2 Corinthians 3:12-18

How does holy spirit, a force like electricity, without personhood, relate to this passage?

We welcome comments.

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 8/9/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 8/9/26

Bible and the Book of Mormon

There are two ways you can approach the refutation of the Mormon interpretation of Ezekiel 37. One is to say “Let’s look at the Book of Mormon to see if it qualifies as Scripture. If it doesn’t then why consider it a fulfillment of Ezekiel 37?”

This is a valid approach because the Book of Mormon is riddled with internal inconsistencies, inconsistencies with the Bible, fictional history, absurdities, plagiarism, and post publication changes in the original text of the book Joseph Smith said was “inspired.” However, this approach takes time and requires documentation to be on hand.

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 8/2/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 8/2/26

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Two Gods?

According to Genesis 1:1 God created the Universe out of nothing. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus (aka Michael the Archangel according to the Watchtower) was the first “thing” God created and then used Jesus/Michael to create everything else. However, that raises some questions, such as …

Is creation of the Universe out of nothing an example of God’s Almighty power in action? Doesn’t the apostle John say Jesus did this?

All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
—John 1:3

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 7/26/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 7/26/26

Questions for Jehovah’s Witnesses: Jesus

Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jehovah directly created ONLY ONE THING, Michael the Archangel (aka Jesus), and that Michael/Jesus then created all OTHER things (United in Worship, p. 29)?

Does this not conflict with Daniel 10:13 where Michael is called “one of” the chief princes?

Does it not conflict with John 1:3 where it says “… without him (Jesus) was not ANYTHING made that was made?”

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 7/19/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 7/19/26

Question for Jehovah’s Witnesses: Worship

The Watchtower teaches that since Jesus is a creature in their theology, then he cannot receive worship. Only Jehovah (the Father) can be worshipped.

Here is the question:

Is it true worship that is being rendered to Jehovah in Revelation 4:9-11?

Isn’t it the same kind of worship that is being rendered to Jehovah AND Jesus in Revelation 5:11-14?

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 7/12/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 7/12/26

A “Certificate” for Heaven

Brigham Young said that “no man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, page 289).

During December of 2005 Mormons celebrated the 200th birthday of their savior-prophet, who was born in Sharon, Vermont. Joseph Smith was one of eleven children. In 1816 the Smith family moved to Palmyra, NY, where Joseph later had his alleged vision.

Mormons have historically viewed Smith as an untouchable saint and would become defensive about the many criticisms of his character.

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 7/5/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 7/5/26

Fulfilled Prophecy: A Strong Apologetic, Pt. 4

Israel’s punishment of seventy years captivity began with Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion of Israel. There were two phases of this captivity. The first was the captivity of the nation, or “servitude of the nation,” when they came under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar in 607-606 BC. As a nation they lost their national sovereignty.

The second phase was when Jerusalem was destroyed in 587-586 BC. This was almost twenty years after the first phase, loss of national sovereignty.

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 6/28/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 6/28/26

Fulfilled Prophecy: A Strong Apologetic, Pt. 3

One of the most dramatic prophecies in the Old Testament is found in Daniel 9:24-27. It is known as Daniel’s “Seventy Weeks” and is another sweeping view of history before it happens.

Though this prophecy is focused on Israel, it is foundational to our understanding of where we, the Church, are in the prophetic timeline. It begins with a prophecy about 70 “weeks” being determined upon Israel to bring Israel to repentance and the fulfillment of God’s desire for His people and to “bring in everlasting righteousness.”

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 6/21/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 6/21/26

Fulfilled Prophecy: A Strong Apologetic, Pt. 2

There are two items of great interest to me when it comes to God’s Chosen People. One is God preserving His people for the last two-thousand years while they are scattered to many nations in the world. During their exile they were killed and deprived of basic liberty almost everywhere. Anti-Semitism has a much deeper motivation of evil. It started when God identified His people and thus Satan knew that is where he would attack.

Second, when God chose the land of promise for Abraham and his descendants, He chose the center of the earth.

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 6/14/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 6/14/26

Fulfilled Prophecy: A Strong Apologetic, Pt. 1

In many ways and in many Old Testament passages God told Israel how He would deal with them and what His ultimate plan for them would be. God spelled it all out in Leviticus 26. They should have known but they still stumbled repeatedly as a blind man would.

For God to fulfill His promises to Israel He must preserve Israel throughout their dispersion, and through two millennia.

As ethnic populations go in today’s world the Jews are a small number. Their number is just about equal to the margin of error in the estimated population of China, about 14 million people.

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 6/7/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 6/7/26

Oil or Spoil? The Middle East Again

There is a question asked in Ezekiel 38:13 that has Sheba and Dedan, oil rich Arabian Peninsula countries, asking if the Magog coalition is coming to take a spoil. Could the spoil be Middle East oil? Could it be Israeli oil and gas?

The joke is told by Jewish people that when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt he should have turned right instead of left to Canaan. If they had turned right they would possess the oil fields of the Arabian Peninsula.

It was always thought that Israel had no oil deposits. However, in recent years, even as recently as 2011, reports are that Israel has potentially as much oil as all the known reserves in Saudi Arabia.

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 5/31/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 5/31/26

Mormons Welcome Questions

Did you know that Mormons welcome your questions? It is a good, easy way to get them to think for themselves.

Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints [LDS]) believe that they can perform proxy baptisms for the dead to permit the dead to progress in the afterlife. This is the reason they collect genealogical information.

Celestial marriage is a marriage for time and eternity that is performed in Mormon temples. These two doctrines are considered fundamental in Mormon belief.

Denise, content; Dawne, editor 5/24/26 Denise, content; Dawne, editor 5/24/26

Abram: Little Nuggets (cont.), 4-8

Nugget #4

Verse 5 of Genesis 12 says Abram had “acquired people.” Jewish translators suggest this refers to proselytizing, that people converted and left with Abram.

Arrives in Shechem

Abram passed through the land to the site of Shechem, at the oak of Moreh. (At that time the Canaanites were in the land.) (Genesis 12:6, CSB)

Denise, content; Dawne, editor 5/17/26 Denise, content; Dawne, editor 5/17/26

Abram: Little Nuggets, 1-3

A ‘nugget’ can describe a small but valuable piece of information or a tidbit of wisdom.

This is the history of Abram

These are the family records of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran, and Haran fathered Lot. Haran died in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans, during his father Terah’s lifetime.
Abram and Nahor took wives: Abram’s wife was named Sarai, and Nahor’s wife was named Milcah. She was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah.

Martha 5/10/26 Martha 5/10/26

Who Shuns Whom?

Jehovah’s Witnesses commonly practice the shunning of those who have left the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. There are varying degrees of shunning, and for varying reasons, but there is one constant: the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Organization, aka the Jehovah’s Witnesses, propagate the practice of shunning among their members, and have for a minimum of 65 years (Nov. 15, 1952 Watchtower, Questions from Readers).

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 5/3/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 5/3/26

Spiritual Abuse: The Tyrant Rides a Tiger

In high control religious systems everyone plays his or her appointed role. When someone breaks out of their role they fulfill another purpose within the system, an object lesson, which will be used to strengthen the control of the leadership.

These players are called the Tyrant, the Henchmen, the Silent Sheep, the Wounded and the Dissident.If you have been in an abusive high control group, think of who modeled the role in your own experience. It needs to be said here that the second through fifth roles can be the same person but at different stages, or times. This will be explained later.

David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 4/26/26 David Henke, Watchman.org, slightly edited with permission 4/26/26

Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook

In the interactions I had afterward with others who experienced abuse, I learned how to help the wounded recover. I met with scores of people who were confused by the hurt they experienced.

Between my own experiences and research, I wrote many articles. It was then that I realized I had the content for a workbook on spiritual abuse recovery. A workbook was what I wanted to produce. Because it would be a practical tool for both the individual and a small group recovery, or support group.