Author Biography
(with Photos below)
Hi there! My name is Gerry (Gerald) Watts. I was brought up in a Baptist church (that's not to say that I literally lived there, of course!) in the city of Bristol, England (where I still live at present), which 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, 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 20) 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 my instance, there had to be a Hagar before a Sarah. The resulting separation from my kids, along with the earlier death of my father, tenor opera singer Clive Watts, have been the most painful times of my life so far.
But I was still greatly burdened, 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!
Then through a dear friend (during some long visits that I made to Seattle, USA, in '95-6), I was introduced to the glorious truth 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, though 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 (for further information, see The Destiny of the Israel of God). 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.
I now seek to proclaim 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 do not belong to any particular denomination or sect or Church. I seek to avoid all sectarian bias in my writings and in my dealings with others, recognising the fact that there is only One Spiritual Body or 'Church,' and the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of this Assembly. I meet with other believers, usually in my home, as, and when, the Spirit leads - and of course, via email and the Net.
In recent years I have been suffering quite severely from ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but 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, I will one day return to full health. 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 they just don't understand.
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 up-to-date when its prophecies are understood correctly, and its ultimate message is one of power and joy, which can be experienced right now, in this life.
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 the happy ending that God has in store for ALL of His creatures. May all of our eyes be opened to this wonderful news.
Grace and Peace
Gerry Watts (2004; updated 2007)
For those of you who would like to know more about the illness ME/CFS, or you may even suffer with it yourself, here is a link to an excellent site which really presents the facts of the matter and helps to dispel certain myths about the illness
Photos
(Click on these thumbnails to enlarge)
Some personal favourites of Angela and Myself, including some special ones taken in Saint Ives, Cornwall in 2002, before I became really ill.
St Ives, Cornwall 2002 After our wedding 2004 My Sweetheart 2005
Some special moments with my children, Luke and Rebecca, when they were younger, during the 1990's. Lots of fond memories that will always stay with me.
Luke, Becca, me and Angela 2005 Luke & Becca 2004 Becca and Me 2004
