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The Purpose of Life
The Purpose of Life Website Ministry
(with photo gallery)
Hello there! My name is Gerald Watts, though most people call me Gerry. I was born in the mid-1960's in
Bristol, England, where I also grew up and where I still live at present. I was brought up in a Baptist
church (that's not to say that I literally lived there, of course!) in Bristol, Counterslip Baptist, and this
gave me a basic grounding in the Scriptures and the knowledge of Christ. I had many spiritual
experiences as a child, and I became very aware that God was real and that Jesus of Nazareth was His
Son and the Messiah. This knowledge was helped and encouraged by my mother Denise, who is a
Christian, and she was also one of my Sunday School teachers for a while! (Another great spiritual
influence in my early years was my other Sunday School teacher, George Purnell, who I wish to
remember here. I fondly recall my visits with him before he died in the early 1990's).
From an early age my faith was strong, and as I grew up I often voiced 'my faith' to as many as would listen. But during my teens, I became very disillusioned with 'the Church' in general, and like many teenagers, I rebelled against most things, and tried out most things. This led me to a very dark place, as I lived out the Heavy Metal/Biker lifestyle, being a drummer in various rock bands as well - but thankfully, due to the love and grace of the Father, I was saved from what could have been a very destructive path. During this time, I married young (age 21) and had two children, Luke and Rebecca, but my wife divorced me (with my consent) after 5 years of marriage, due to 'marital breakdown' and major differences in life goals. In this instance, for me, there had to be a Hagar before a Sarah. The resulting separation from my kids in 1993, along with the earlier death of my father, tenor opera singer Clive Watts, in 1990, have been the most painful times of my life so far. Pain, in one form or another, comes to us all eventually, usually through the loss of loved ones or through sickness and infirmity. It's a strange part of the trial of life.
From an early age my faith was strong, and as I grew up I often voiced 'my faith' to as many as would listen. But during my teens, I became very disillusioned with 'the Church' in general, and like many teenagers, I rebelled against most things, and tried out most things. This led me to a very dark place, as I lived out the Heavy Metal/Biker lifestyle, being a drummer in various rock bands as well - but thankfully, due to the love and grace of the Father, I was saved from what could have been a very destructive path. During this time, I married young (age 21) and had two children, Luke and Rebecca, but my wife divorced me (with my consent) after 5 years of marriage, due to 'marital breakdown' and major differences in life goals. In this instance, for me, there had to be a Hagar before a Sarah. The resulting separation from my kids in 1993, along with the earlier death of my father, tenor opera singer Clive Watts, in 1990, have been the most painful times of my life so far. Pain, in one form or another, comes to us all eventually, usually through the loss of loved ones or through sickness and infirmity. It's a strange part of the trial of life.
Originally written in 2004;
revised & updated 2007 &
2011
For those who are interested, whether you suffer with M.E. (I really hope that that doesn't apply
to too many visitors!) or know someone who does or you'd just like to know more about it,
here's a link to a very good informative site which really presents the facts of the matter and
helps to dispel certain myths and misunderstandings about the condition.
A Hummingbirds Guide
A Hummingbirds Guide
Subsequently, through a dear friend (during some long visits that I made to Seattle, USA, in 1995-96), I
was introduced to the glorious doctrine of Universal Reconciliation. This was the icing on the cake, the
pinnacle of all truth. I was overjoyed. Consequently, I was also introduced to the writings of the late A.
E. Knoch, and the Concordant Version of the Scriptures, and this renewed my intense desire to study
the Scriptures afresh. Knoch's work has been a great inspiration to me, and I greatly respect his
teaching, although I need to make it clear that in recent years I have come to see that the Concordant
Publishing Concern's ultra-dispensationalist approach to interpreting the Scriptures is, I believe,
incorrect and greatly flawed (for further information, see The Destiny of the Israel of God in the
Archives section). The Concordant Literal Version, though, has been, and continues to be, an
invaluable tool for gaining a more accurate knowledge and understanding of the Divine Oracles of the
Bible, alongside other versions.
So, I now seek to proclaim what I believe to be the wonderful truth of the salvation of all mankind, and the power of God's grace, through this website and through the publishing of books, which I aim to share as freely as possible. I did publish a book through iUniverse publishing in 2003 entitled Ancient Prophecies Unveiled: The Times of the Nations. It was a chunky volume at 470 pages! It is now discontinued because my views changed quite substantially in certain areas (namely, I'm no longer a dispensationalist), but there's probably about 50+ copies out there somewhere! The only publishing plans I have right now are that of e-books and articles via this website. One day, though, I'd like to have another book in print!
So, I now seek to proclaim what I believe to be the wonderful truth of the salvation of all mankind, and the power of God's grace, through this website and through the publishing of books, which I aim to share as freely as possible. I did publish a book through iUniverse publishing in 2003 entitled Ancient Prophecies Unveiled: The Times of the Nations. It was a chunky volume at 470 pages! It is now discontinued because my views changed quite substantially in certain areas (namely, I'm no longer a dispensationalist), but there's probably about 50+ copies out there somewhere! The only publishing plans I have right now are that of e-books and articles via this website. One day, though, I'd like to have another book in print!
I thank the Father for sending me an angel from heaven - my wife, Angela. (For further details, see
Angela's article How It All Happened). Without her love and help, I would be in a far worse place
health-wise. If it's this great 'in sickness' then I can't wait for how it will be 'in health!' She is a great
comfort to me, especially as some people begin drifting away when you have a long-term illness that
affects your social life that others just don't understand. Friendships get tested.
I'd like to mention that music has always been a big part of my life from an early age, whether listening to it or playing it or composing it. I like all kinds of musical genres but I really love melodic rock. Sadly, due to my ill-health, I'm not involved with anything musically right now, though I try to play my synth-keyboard and my acoustic guitar occasionally (no drum kit anymore!). I get lots of time to listen to music, as the nature of my illness requires lots of boring rest periods! For more info about my own music and the artists I like, see the Treasure Cave above.
Anyhow, I will close by saying this: the Bible is not an out-of-date book, and although there are numerous conflicts within 'Christendom' concerning its beliefs, we mustn't let this hinder or prevent our search for truth. The Bible is very relevant when its teachings are understood correctly, and its ultimate message is one of power and joy and love (real tough love, not the wishy-washy stuff), which can be experienced right now, in this life.
I'd like to mention that music has always been a big part of my life from an early age, whether listening to it or playing it or composing it. I like all kinds of musical genres but I really love melodic rock. Sadly, due to my ill-health, I'm not involved with anything musically right now, though I try to play my synth-keyboard and my acoustic guitar occasionally (no drum kit anymore!). I get lots of time to listen to music, as the nature of my illness requires lots of boring rest periods! For more info about my own music and the artists I like, see the Treasure Cave above.
Anyhow, I will close by saying this: the Bible is not an out-of-date book, and although there are numerous conflicts within 'Christendom' concerning its beliefs, we mustn't let this hinder or prevent our search for truth. The Bible is very relevant when its teachings are understood correctly, and its ultimate message is one of power and joy and love (real tough love, not the wishy-washy stuff), which can be experienced right now, in this life.
Nevertheless, my faith was still intact through all these trials, even though my rebellion had damaged
me somewhat - physically, mentally and spiritually. In many respects we do reap what we sow. I was
still greatly burdened, though, and puzzled, by the doctrine of 'Eternal Hell or Torment' (among other
traditional teachings). This caused me much pain and sorrow, and a lot of depression, due to my
concern for 'lost' family members and friends who had died, not to mention humanity in general. I
already had a keen interest in prophecy and for years I had intricately studied the Scriptures,
devouring the Word, and reading as many books as I could on various subjects. I began zealously
teaching the Scriptures in various churches, as well as focusing on a music ministry, while preparing
numerous study papers, knowing that I had been divinely called to this work, (but little did I know how
much these study papers and my beliefs would shortly need to be changed). I seriously considered
attending Bible college a number of times, looking to gain some 'official credentials' and of becoming an
official minister or pastor, but I was always prevented from going in this 'official' direction. Instead,
I've just done my own work and study in this area, and I've had to let the Spirit take me down some
strange, humbling paths in the process. God takes us and uses us and trains us where we are!
I do not belong to any particular denomination or sect or church, although over the years I have been
involved with a number of different churches and fellowships. I seek to avoid all sectarian bias in my
writings and in my dealings with others as much as possible, recognising the fact that there is only One
Spiritual Body or 'Church,' with the Lord Jesus Christ as the Head of this universal Assembly. I meet
with other believers, usually in my home, as, and when, the Spirit leads - and of course, via email and
the Net. I also have contact with a local pastor of a Baptist church.
In recent years I have been suffering quite severely from ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which began in about the late 1990's and grew progressively worse due to mismanagement of the illness and a few unsympathetic doctors! I was too unwell to continue to work in a regular job, so in 2000 I had to sign off sick....and things have never been the same since then. I managed to complete a college course during 1999-2000 on PC Servicing, as I was planning to pursue computer maintenance as a new career direction.....but it was not to be. Yet by God's grace and strength I continue to write, and I believe that, through the pursuit of natural medicine and a more excellent diet, and learning the tough discipline of pacing, I will one day return to partial or full health.
The symptoms vary a lot at present and my mobility is generally very limited (I even have to use a mobility scooter when going round large supermarkets and shops, and for walking longer distances. Ironically enough, my present scooter is called 'Pride Go-Go' - telling me my pride has to go-go when using the darn thing!). There have been some improvements but overall it is still a very debilitating illness that fluctuates greatly. It's certainly not easy maintaining a website (or re-designing it, which I've begun doing now in August 2011) but I love doing what I do and it gives me something to focus on, and to work at. Please pray for me - I need lots of strength, particularly for my eyeballs!
In recent years I have been suffering quite severely from ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which began in about the late 1990's and grew progressively worse due to mismanagement of the illness and a few unsympathetic doctors! I was too unwell to continue to work in a regular job, so in 2000 I had to sign off sick....and things have never been the same since then. I managed to complete a college course during 1999-2000 on PC Servicing, as I was planning to pursue computer maintenance as a new career direction.....but it was not to be. Yet by God's grace and strength I continue to write, and I believe that, through the pursuit of natural medicine and a more excellent diet, and learning the tough discipline of pacing, I will one day return to partial or full health.
The symptoms vary a lot at present and my mobility is generally very limited (I even have to use a mobility scooter when going round large supermarkets and shops, and for walking longer distances. Ironically enough, my present scooter is called 'Pride Go-Go' - telling me my pride has to go-go when using the darn thing!). There have been some improvements but overall it is still a very debilitating illness that fluctuates greatly. It's certainly not easy maintaining a website (or re-designing it, which I've begun doing now in August 2011) but I love doing what I do and it gives me something to focus on, and to work at. Please pray for me - I need lots of strength, particularly for my eyeballs!
The spiritual walk is the most exciting thing there is, and the attributes of love and grace are greatly
needed in the world at this time. Through my writings, I am seeking to bring a balanced viewpoint of
Scripture to those who are interested in truth, and to emphasise what I firmly believe is the happy
ending that God has in store for ALL of His creatures. May all of our eyes be opened to this wonderful
news.
Everything on this site, even the stuff about me and my very ordinary life, is ultimately to be a witness to the love, grace and power of the One who's Name is above every other name in existence. May God bless us all (now where have I heard that before - oh yes, A Christmas Carol!).
Grace, peace and much blessing to all who visit these pages. I hope you enjoy exploring!
Gerry
August 2011
Everything on this site, even the stuff about me and my very ordinary life, is ultimately to be a witness to the love, grace and power of the One who's Name is above every other name in existence. May God bless us all (now where have I heard that before - oh yes, A Christmas Carol!).
Grace, peace and much blessing to all who visit these pages. I hope you enjoy exploring!
Gerry
August 2011
Here are some pictures of Angela and myself, including a few special ones for us taken in St Ives,
Cornwall in 2002 before my condition grew worse. I've also included some pictures of my children,
Luke and Rebecca, with some special moments with them when they were younger in the 1990's
- lots of fond memories that will always stay with me.