NO. 818: TIMES OF REFRESHING ─ TIMES OF RESTITUTION

No. 818

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive [retain] until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:19-21)

It has been our custom for many years to pay tribute at this time of year to Pastor Russell, That Wise and Faithful Servant, to commemorate his death on October 31, 1916. We believe his steward­ship doctrine was a correct understanding of the Atonement, the central teaching of which is Restitution. It has been said that once Brother Russell received the Truth on this doctrine, he never delivered a public discourse in which Restitution did not have a prominent place. In keeping with this, we present this treatise.

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In Acts 3:19-24 the Apostle Peter called to the attention of the Jews the promise that God had made to Abraham, saying, “And in thy seed shall all the nations [peoples] of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 22:18) The word “restitution” in the text means restoration. The Apostle Peter here describes the refreshing times to come, as opposed to the present dry and dying condition of the human race – which he elsewhere likens to grass that withers and sears for lack of rain. (1 Pet. 1:24) He proceeds to stress that the Prophet Samuel and all who came after him had spoken of these refreshing times to come.

This was one of the first public speeches that came from any of the Apostles after Pentecost, and it is in fact just another way of preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. Often it is recorded of Jesus that He went about “preaching the gospel of the kingdom” (Matt. 4:23; Matt. 9:35; Mark 1:14), which the Apostle Peter here declares to be the “times of restitution.”

It would seem that such an important and far-reaching doctrine as this should have prominent recognition wherever and whenever the Christian religion is preached. But what do we find? So far as we are concerned, we have never once heard Acts 3:19-24 even mentioned from the pulpits of Big Babylon, much less has any attempt been made to explain it. Since men usually preach the things they understand and love, we can but conclude that the silence on this part of Scripture is due to the lack of knowledge of those who should be declaring it.

All during the Gospel Age, since the death of the Apostles (or shortly thereafter), the doctrine of Restitution was completely lost, as represented by the parable of the woman who had ten pieces of silver, lost one and sought diligently until she found it. She then called her friends and neighbors together, saying, “Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.” (Luke 15:8-9) The woman in the parable is the Church, which lost sight of one cardinal doctrine of the Bible – Restitution – and it was not until the Harvest that this great Truth was with great rejoicing once more recognized. After the Harvest work had attracted a following, and the Pilgrims began to circulate, That Servant often urged them all to preach Restitution. That was especially emphasized with the Sunday speakers that were sent from the Bible House on weekends. It was indeed “Good Tidings of Great Joy” to all who received it with grateful hearts.

RESTORING THAT WHICH WAS LOST

Jesus said, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) After the transgression in the Garden of Eden four things were lost – things which man once had in his pristine purity. (1) He lost his intimate and friendly relationship with his Creator. (2) He lost his perfect home: “The Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man.” (Gen. 3:23-24) (3) He lost his original dominion over earth: “Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:26) Noting this loss of dominion, the Apostle Paul said, “But now we see not yet all things put under him.” (Heb. 2:8) (4) He lost his life. Man was not created to die – he was created to live – and the Scripture is clear that he would have continued to “live forever” had he remained in his perfect Edenic home, from which he was driven out “lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.” (Gen. 3:22)

Just as four things were lost, there are four component parts to the Restitution, the restoration, as clearly set forth in Psa. 103:2-5: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: [1] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; [2] Who healeth all thy diseases; [3] Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; [4] Who crowneth thee with loving­kindness and tender mercies . . . thy youth is renewed like the eagles.”

The first of these processes came without any effort on man’s part and generally with little or no knowledge that he is receiving this “benefit.” St. Paul says of us who presently believe, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) Thus, Christ made Himself an offering for sin for us before we knew anything about it being done: “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Tim. 2:6) In “due time” all men will recognize what we now know – that a propitiation for sins was provided by the Redeemer without men asking for it – Christ forgives all iniquities.

The same may be said for the second Restitution process, the healing of all diseases. In the resurrection day it is self-evident that the disease which brought man to the grave must be cured before his awakening; otherwise, he would immediately die again. The natural and artificial causes that have caused death for centuries must be eliminated in all men before they are returned from the grave. This also will be accomplished without men asking for it.

The third process will operate somewhat differently. Redemption from destruction will require cooperation on the part of the recipient. “God our savior . . . will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:3-4) But this knowledge of the Truth will not be forced down the throats of the unwilling; they must show some desire for it and willingly cooperate in the educational process. That educational process will not only teach men the religious truth on the facts of life and death, it will also teach them the physical, mental, moral, and religious philosophies of life which will enable them to live forever in perpetual youth. “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction.” (Hos. 13:14) That power which now turns man to destruction, to the grave, will be stayed. Death will be deprived of its present power over all. Then will come to pass the prophecy: “Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth.” (Job 33:24-25)

The fourth process, the “crowning,” will also require the cooperation of the recipient, who will receive it with a clear understanding of its import. It is emphasized in the parable of the Sheep and the Goats: “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” (Matt. 25:34) In times past, when a prince inherited a kingdom from his father, he was seated on the throne and a crown placed upon his head. Figuratively speaking, this same procedure will be followed when the Restitution process is complete. Each one of the “sheep” will inherit a kingdom – perfect human life with its accompanying life rights – just as Adam had in Eden when he was given dominion over all things on earth. He was then in every sense a monarch over all he surveyed.

However, the Restitution processes cannot be completed fully until the causes that now send men to the grave have been eliminated. St. John states this very graphically: “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men . . . And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21:3-4)

The angel who gave those words to John evidently realized the disbelief with which the message would be received by the present sick and dying race, for he then emphasized it with these words: “Write: for these words are true and faithful.” (Rev. 21:5)

The logical conclusion is that the Restitution processes will eliminate all crime, thievery, violence, moral depravity, and sickness. There will be no more need for locked doors; no more destructive armies; no more rigid police protection. “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isa. 2:4)

THEN COMETH THE END

St. Paul graphically confirms this outcome: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits [Jesus] of them that slept. For since by man [Adam] came death, by [a] man [Jesus] came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die [all who were in Adam die; this would exclude Jesus, for He was never in Adam], even so [all who are] in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits [meaning the entire Christ Company, and not merely Jesus only]; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming [presence]. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and all power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Cor. 15:20-26)

“The end” is the end of the Little Season, when Christ will have ruled over the earth to the full elimination of Satan and his evil acts and death and the dying process. The “last enemy” is the dying process – all the mental, moral, physical and religious ills now prevalent in the human race. Then the conclusion of St. Paul will be realized: “That through death he [Jesus] might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Heb. 2:14)

The foregoing is vividly illustrated in what is perhaps the grandest type of the entire Old Testament: “And the Lord said unto Moses [type of Christ], Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians [Pharaoh and his hosts being typical of Satan and his henchmen] . . . and the sea returned to his strength . . . and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea . . . and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.” (Exod. 14:26-31) The destruction of the Egyptians in the Red Sea typically sets forth how Satan and all who are on his side will be forever destroyed. The “goats” of the parable in Matt. 25:31-46 will come to their complete annihilation, leaving the “sheep” as the unmolested and perfected rulers of all they survey – free from all the evils that Satan’s deceptions have inflicted upon the human race.

DOCTRINE OF RESTITUTION DISTORTED

That Servant gave a very clear and convincing presentation of the Times of Restitution; and his entire following was almost a solid unit in accepting it the way he taught it. But what do we find since his death? We find many who once seemed to understand the subject have now perverted it out of all recognition to the manner in which they had once accepted it. Chief among these are the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who now have consigned Adam to annihilation, which is actually a denial of the Ransom – although they would not admit that.

Since Adam was the only perfect man on earth aside from Jesus Himself, and since the word Ransom itself means a corresponding price, an exact duplicate, Adam is actually the only one who could be ransomed. Therefore, St. Paul gives the philosophy: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:22) When ransom was provided for Adam, that act became the inheritance for all of us – just as all of us inherited the death penalty for sin passed upon him. The Witnesses now leave out a very large section of the human race in their presentation of Restitution. To all who understand the philosophy of the Ransom, it is an elementary conclusion that if Adam is not to be awakened, none of the rest of the world will be awakened.

They are now telling us that all living today who do not accept them will never be awakened, although they admit that Satan is still blinding the eyes of unbelievers. They are dividing the Sheep from the Goats now during this Time of Trouble when, more than ever, “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” (2 Cor. 4:4) They tell us that those who will never be awakened will therefore never have the opportunity of Restitution when the Devil is bound and nothing but truth is taught.

The Prophet Isaiah tells us this: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. . . . And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” (Isa. 35:5, 8) The highway is the established New Covenant. It will not be a “narrow way” but instead a public roadway, open to all. The unclean who refuse to go up it “shall be destroyed from among the people.” (Acts 3:23) Also Rev. 22:5 tells us, “And there shall be no night [error] there.”

When the Jehovah’s Witnesses say all present “unbelievers” in them will be annihilated in the approaching Armageddon, it is a far cry from the “good news” taught by That Servant, who had a message of hope for the groaning creation. And they claim That Servant as their founder! He is not the founder of their errors; he was the founder of The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, which the errorists took over after his death. Their teachings reveal that they do not understand, or will not accept, the meaning of “the gospel of the Kingdom,” as St. Paul so clearly states: “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Gal. 3:8) Most of these “heathen” have never intelligently heard the name of Christ (nor have they heard of the Jehovah’s Witnesses).

According to the Witnesses, this annihi­lation in Armageddon will include the majority of the people living – quite a few of whom are honorable, benevolent and kind – their besetting sin being that they cannot accept the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their errors. We continue to teach the Gospel of Christ, the Good Tidings to all mankind, the grand and glorious Restitution work of that blessed Kingdom, which will include all current unbelievers as well as current believers in the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

They can no longer teach: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28-29) (Judgment is mistranslated “damnation” in the King James Version. Judgment is for all restitutionists. See Diaglott.) Nor can they teach: “There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” (Acts 24:15)

For a number of years, they put forth their “Jonadabs” as the Restitution class. They still retain much the same view, except that they now call their Jonadabs the “great multitude” of Rev. 7:9-17. All Bible logic is against such an interpretation, because the language and setting of Revelation 7 clearly depict a class on the spirit plane – “before the throne” – which is in Heaven. They have set aside That Servant’s interpretation of this text and substituted their own interpretation, which is error.

Another group, The Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement, also teaches a superior Restitution class that is being developed now – “Consecrated Epiphany Campers.” To refute this error, we need only bear in mind that we are still in the Gospel Age, the Faith Age; and during this age the merit of Jesus is only for Himself and His house – for all those who honestly accept Him as their Savior and walk a “narrow way.” During this Faith Age there is only one place where His merit can be obtained, and that is inside the Court of the antitypical Gospel-Age Tabernacle. The LHMM has their non-existent class outside the linen curtain of the Gospel-Age Tabernacle – outside the righteousness of Christ in this Faith Age.

Jesus said, “I am the way” (John 14:6), and there is only one manner in which that “way” can be obtained, and that is by taking the step from the Camp, through the antitypical Tabernacle Gate, and into the Court, whereby “justification by faith” has been obtainable all during the Faith Age. It is still the only way, because we are still in the Gospel (Faith) Age. We would emphasize that a place in the typical Tabernacle represents a condition in this Faith Age antitype.

For those who have received Harvest Truth, there would seem to be little excuse for such distortions. According to the Prophet Malachi, one of the specific missions of Jesus at His Second Advent would be to “sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” (Mal. 3:3) The “silver” in this text represents the Truth and the Truth has shone with great brilliance during the Harvest period. While the Truth on Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, the state of the dead, etc., were understood fairly well by some groups in Christendom before 1874, it remained for the Harvest Messenger to refine and elaborate upon every one of them with telling force. The word “purifier” in our text is from the Hebrew taher, one meaning of which is to make bright or to polish. Thus, at His Second Advent our Lord not only refines, purges the dross of error from the Truth, but He also brightens or polishes it.

Note that He “shall sit” as a refiner and polisher. At the time of the First Advent it was the custom for a speaker to sit, while the audience stood. In the Talmud the phrase to sit is almost synonymous with to teach. Jesus was indeed the teacher; but when He said the Scribes and Pharisees “sit in Moses’ seat” (Matt. 23:2), He meant they were setting themselves forth as the teachers of the people – just as Moses had done when he gave them the Law at Sinai. Jesus now sits on His throne, as does a king and as a judge sits on his bench, etc. Thus, He is the executive, the authority, the official opponent of error and developer of the Truth. This is true not only of religious truth, but also to a large degree of secular truth. Satan has done an excellent job of corrupting secular and religious truth over the centuries, and none but our all-powerful Divine Lord is capable of undoing the damage. He has come with the “golden crown” on His head as evidence that He has the power and the authority to eliminate the damage of the past. (Rev. 14:14)

To polish anything requires a cleansing agent to be applied with muscular strength. Since 1874 especially, this has been accomplished mainly through much controversy. The Truth comes out in controversy; those who object to controversy are actually objecting to one of the special missions of our Lord since 1874, and are imposing a deception on those who listen to them.

Our chief purpose in giving this explanation is to focus attention upon the “outer darkness” of those who once saw Restitution in its brilliance and clarity, but who have now sullied it so badly by their perversions (See Matt. 25:30 on the “unprof­itable servant” with the Berean Comments). The evidence clearly points to something being woefully wrong in the hearts of such.

“ALL MEN TO BE SAVED” – SOME CONTRARY VIEWS

Like all other fundamental teachings of the Bible, the text stating that God “will have all men to be saved” (1 Tim. 2:4), has been given the extremes of erroneous interpretation. Some contend that if God will have all men to be saved, that is a guarantee of eternal life for every human being that has ever lived. Universalism goes even further, insisting that even the Devil and his angels will also eventually be saved, despite the clear statement of St. Paul to the contrary. (Heb. 2:14) Others contend that God would like to have all men saved, but He just can’t seem to accomplish it. All of these perversions are based upon a misunderstanding of the salvation process.

God will have all men to be saved. But saved from what, to what? St. Paul offers us the proper help: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Rom. 5:12) All of Adam’s progeny inherited the death sentence from him through no fault of their own. It is relief from that sentence from which God wishes all men to be saved. Often in human affairs we hear of a condemned man being “saved from execution” by official decree; but that does not mean that he will continue to live forever. It simply means that he is saved from the sentence passed upon him by the judicial process.

Much the same explanation may be given for the entire human race being saved; they will be saved from the sentence now hanging over them, and thenceforth will be given the privilege of regaining perfect life, as Adam had it, if they wish to take advantage of it. If they do, they will be classified as the “sheep” of the parable; if they do not, they will be classified as the “goats” of the parable, and will be sentenced to death once more – for their own transgression, not for one inherited from another.

This is well stated by the Prophet Jeremiah: “In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge. But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.” (Jer. 31:29-30) No longer will the iniquities of the fathers be visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. (Exod. 20:5)

Some years back we corresponded with a preacher who insisted that St. Paul’s words mean that every man will eventually receive eternal life – although there is just nothing in the text to warrant such a conclusion. Man will be relieved from the present load upon his back, and given the opportunity, under favorable conditions, to free himself from its effects if he will take advantage of the opportunity. Nothing more than that; nothing less. The preacher argued that the “everlasting punishment” of Matt. 25:46 simply means “age-lasting” and that man will continue to receive one opportunity after another – for a full age – until he eventually avails himself of eternal life. But the same Greek adjective aionios is used to describe both the reward of the righteous and the punishment of the unrighteous. This would force the logical conclusion that the life received by the sheep will also be limited to the age. Note the footnote for verse 46 in the Emphatic Diaglott:

“The Common Version, and many modern ones, render kolasin aionioon, everlasting punish­ment, conveying the idea, as generally interpreted, of basinos, torment. Kolasin . . . is derived from kolazoo, which signifies [primarily] to cut off; as lopping off branches of trees, to prune . . . The righteous go to life, the wicked to the cutting off from life, or death.”

If we cut the limb from a tree, we know that limb will no longer continue to live; it withers and disintegrates – in much the same manner that Adam withered for 930 years, then disintegrated in the grave. “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Gen. 3:19)

“THE MEEK SHALL EAT AND BE SATISFIED”

At the birth of Jesus the angel declared, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) St. John elaborated: “He is the propitiation for our sins [those who accept Him in this present age]: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

As we look back with joy at the Savior’s birth and the subsequent atonement for all people, so the ancients looked forward to it. Jesus said, “Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” (John 8:56) A beautiful prophecy on the subject is presented in Psalm 72: “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth [times of refreshing]. In his days shall the righteous flourish [the sheep of the parable]; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth . . . Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him . . . daily shall he be praised . . . they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth . . . all nations shall call him blessed     . . . let the whole earth be filled with his glory.” Truly, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Phil. 2:10-11)

Biblical names are often significant of the character and accomplishments of the persons to whom they are given. Thus, Jesus is the Latin word for Joshua, or Jeshua, which means “Yahweh is salvation,” the name being very expressive of the work He would do. Thus, He not only delivers, or saves believers in this age, but in the next age He will deliver the world in general from the sentence now resting upon men. This He will accomplish by His Priestly, Mediatorial, Kingly, Legislative, Judicial, Prophetic and Paternal offices, by His good Word and works. He “forgiveth all thine iniquities.” (Psa. 103:3) He is indeed “mighty to save!” (Isa. 63:1)

Then will be realized the words: “The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever    . . . all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations . . . A seed shall serve him . . . They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born.” (Psa. 22:26-31)

(Reprint of an article by Brother John J. Hoefle, with some modifications. Originally printed in No. 217, July 1, 1973.)

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NO. 817: THE THREE WAYS

No. 817

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14)

“And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it . . . but the redeemed shall walk there.” (Isa. 35:8-9)

Three ways, the “broad way,” the “narrow way” and the “highway,” are thus brought to our attention in the Scriptures. The broad way to destruction is thus named because it is most easy to the degenerate human race. As a sinner condemned to destruction, Adam (and the race represented in him) started upon this road, and for six thousand years the race has steadily pursued the broad, downward way. Only a few, comparatively, have tried to change their course and retrace their steps. In fact, to retrace all the steps, and reach the original perfection, has been impossible, though the effort of some to do so has been commendable, and not without beneficial results.

Sin and death have reigned relentlessly over mankind, and driven them upon this broad road to destruction. Not until the Gospel Age was a way of escape brought to light. In previous ages, rays of hope were dimly seen in types and shadows, but life and immortality were not brought to light until the appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the proclamation by the Apostles of the good tidings of redemption, remission of sins, and consequently a resurrection. (2 Tim. 1:10) The teachings of Jesus and the Apostles bring to light life – a restitution or restoration to life for all mankind, as based upon the merit and sacrifice of the Redeemer, and they show this to be the significance of many Old Testament types. They also bring to light immortality, the prize of the High Calling of the Gospel Church.

Although a way of escape has been brought to light through the gospel, the great mass of mankind heeds not the good tidings, because depraved by sin and blinded by the Adversary. Those who now gratefully accept the promise of life, restoration to human existence, through Christ, have pointed out to them a new way which has been opened up, by which consecrated believers may go beyond the human nature and be changed to a higher nature – the spiritual. This “new and living way” was consecrated for the royal priesthood. (Heb. 10:20) Our Master tells us that it is because of the narrowness of this way that the many prefer to remain on the broad road to destruction.

LIFE AN ENERGIZING PRINCIPLE

Before considering the narrow way and its dangers and difficulties, let us notice the end to which it leads – life. Life may be enjoyed on various planes of being, higher as well as lower than human. Life is a broad and comprehensive term, but here our Lord uses it in reference to that highest form of life pertaining to the divine nature – immortality – the prize of the High Calling. What is life? We not only realize it in ourselves, but we see its operation in lower animals, and even in vegetation, and we are told of its existence in higher forms, angelic and divine.

While we may not be able to discover the secret springs of life in all, we may safely assume that the Divine Being, Jehovah, is the great fountain of all life, from which all these springs are supplied. All living things result from and depend on Him for life. All life, whether in God or in His creatures, is the same: it is an energizing principle, not a substance. It is a principle which inheres in God, but which in His creatures results from certain causes which God has ordained, and of it He is therefore the cause, the author or fountain. Hence the creature is in no sense a part or an offspring of the Creator’s essence or nature, as some imagine, but he is God’s handiwork infused with life.

Recognizing the fact that only in the divine nature is life independent, unlimited, exhaustless, ever continuous and neither produced nor controlled by circumstances, we see that of necessity Jehovah is superior to those physical laws and supplies which He ordained for the sustenance of His creatures. It is this quality, which pertains only to the divine nature, that is described by the term immortality. Immortal signifies death-proof, consequently disease and pain-proof. In fact, immortality may be used as a synonym for divinity. From the divine, immortal fountain proceed all life and blessing, every good and perfect gift, as from the sun the earth receives her light and vigor.

THE SUN AN ILLUSTRATION

The sun is the great fountain of light to the earth, illuminating all things, producing many varieties of color and shades of light, according to the nature of the object upon which it shines. The same sunlight shining upon a diamond, upon a brick, and upon various kinds of glass, produces strikingly different effects. The light is the same, but the objects upon which it shines differ in their capacity to receive and to transmit it. So it is with life: it all flows from the one exhaustless fountain. The oyster has life, but its organism is such that it cannot make use of much life, just as the brick cannot reflect much of the light of the sun. So it is with beast, fish and fowl. Like the various kinds of glass under sunlight, so these various creatures show forth differently the various organic powers they possess, when life animates their organisms.

The polished diamond is so adapted to the light that it appears as though it possesses it within itself, and were itself a miniature sun. So it is with man, one of the masterpieces of God’s creation, made only “a little lower than the angels.” He was so grandly formed as to be able to receive and retain life by the use of the means which God supplied, and never grow dim. Before he fell, Adam was thus grander than any other earthly creature, not by reason of any difference in the life principle implanted, but because of a superior organism. Yet, as the diamond can reflect no light except when shone upon by the sun, so man can possess and enjoy life only as the supply of life is continued. Man does not have inherent life: he is no more a fountain of life than a diamond is a fountain of light. And the very strongest evidence that we do not have an exhaustless supply of life in ourselves, or (in other words) that we are not immortal, is that since sin entered, death has passed upon all our race.

God had arranged that man in Eden should have access to life-sustaining trees, and the paradise in which he was placed was abundantly supplied with numbers of “every [kind of] tree” good for food or for adornment. (Gen. 2:9, 16-17) Among the trees of life good for food was a forbidden one. While for a time forbidden to eat of the tree of knowledge, he was permitted to eat freely of trees which sustained life perfectly; and he was separated from them only after transgression, that thereby the death-penalty might go into effect. (Gen. 3:22)

The glory and beauty of humanity are thus seen to be dependent on the continued supply of life, just as the beauty of the diamond is dependent on the continued supply of sunlight. When sin deprived humanity of the right to life, and the supply was withheld, immediately the jewel began to lose its brilliancy and beauty, and it is finally deprived of its last vestige in the tomb. His beauty consumes away like a moth. (Psa. 39:11) As the diamond loses its beauty and brilliancy when the light is withdrawn, so man loses life when God withholds the supplies from him. “Yea, man giveth up the ghost [life], and where is he?” (Job 14:10) “His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.” (Job 14:21) “For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest.” (Eccl. 9:10)

But since the death penalty has been provided by the Redeemer, the jewel is to have its beauty restored, and is again to reflect perfectly the Creator’s image when the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings. (Mal. 4:2) It is because of the sin-offering, the sacrifice of Christ, that all that are in the grave “shall come forth.” (John 5:28-29) There shall be a “restitution of all things;” first an opportunity or offer of restitution to all, and ultimately the attainment of human perfection by all who will obey the Redeemer. (Acts 3:19-21)

THE NARROW WAY

This, however, is not the reward which Jesus refers to as being the end of the narrow way. From other scriptures we learn that the reward promised to those who walk the narrow way is the “divine nature” – life inherent, life in that superlative degree which only the divine nature can possess – immortality. Surely not without positive and explicit invitation could any rightfully thus aspire.

From 1 Tim. 6:14-16 we learn that the immortal or divine nature was originally the possession of divinity only. We read of our Lord Jesus: “Which in his times [the Millennial Age] he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting.” All other beings, angels, men, beasts, birds, fish, etc., are but vessels holding each its measure of life, and all differing in character, capacity, and quality according to the organism which it has pleased the Creator to provide for each.

Further, we learn that Jehovah, who alone possessed immortality originally, has highly exalted His Son, our Lord Jesus, to the same divine, immortal nature; hence He is now the express image of the Father’s person. (Heb. 1:3) So we read, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” (John 5:26) God’s definition of “immortality” is “life in himself” – life not drawn from other sources, nor dependent on circum­stances, but independent, inherent life. Since the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, two beings are immortal; and, amazing grace! the same offer is made to the Bride of the Lamb selected during the Gospel Age. Yet not all of the great company who are nominally of the Church will receive this great prize, but only that “little flock” of overcomers who so run as to obtain it; who follow closely in the Master’s footsteps; who, like Him, walk the narrow way of sacrifice, even unto death. These, when born from the dead in the resurrection, will have the divine nature and form. This immortality, the independent, self-existent, divine nature, is the life to which the narrow way leads.

This class is not to be raised from the tomb human beings, for we are assured by the Apostle that, though sown in the tomb natural bodies, they will be raised spiritual bodies. These all shall be “changed,” and even as they once bore the image of the earthly, human nature, they shall bear the image of the heavenly and share in the glory to be revealed. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be [what a spiritual body is]: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2; Col. 1:27; 2 Cor. 4:17; John 17:22; 1 Pet. 5:10; 2 Thess. 2:14)

Not only is this High Calling to a change of nature confined exclusively to the Gospel Age, but it is the only offer of the Gospel Age.[1] Hence our Lord’s words quoted at the beginning of this paper include on the broad road to destruction all who are not on the way to the only prize now offered. All others are still on the broad road – these only have as yet escaped the condemnation that is on the world. This, the only way of life now open, because of its difficulty, finds few who care to walk in it. The masses of mankind in their weakness prefer the broad, easy way of self-gratification.

The narrow way, while it ends in life, in immortality, might be called a way of death, since its prize is gained through the sacrifice of the human nature even unto death. It is the narrow way of death to life. Being reckoned free from the Adamic guilt and the death penalty, the consecrated voluntarily surrender or sacrifice those human rights, reckoned theirs, which in due time they, with the world in general, would have actually received. As “the man Christ Jesus” laid down or sacrificed His life for the world, so these become joint-sacrificers with Him. It was not that His sacrifice was insufficient and that others were needed; but while His is all-sufficient, these are permitted to serve and to suffer with Him in order to become His bride and joint-heir. While the world is under condemnation to death and is dying with Adam, this “little flock,” through the process of faith reckonings and sacrifice already described, are said to die with Christ. They sacrifice and die with Him as human beings, in order to become partakers of the divine nature and glories with Him: “For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.” (2 Tim. 2:11-12; Rom. 8:17)

In the beginning of the Millennial Age, those who walked the narrow way will have gained the great prize for which they ran, immortality; and being thus clothed with the divine nature and power, they will be prepared for the great work of restoring and blessing the world during that age. With the end of the Gospel Age, the narrow way to immortality will close, because the select “little flock” that it was designed to test and prove will have been completed. “Behold, now is the accepted [acceptable] time.” (2 Cor. 6:2) Now is the time in which sacrificers, coming in the merit of Jesus and becoming dead with Him, are acceptable to God – a sacrifice of sweet odor. Death, as the Adamic penalty, will not be permitted forever; it will be abolished during the Millennial Age; as a sacrifice it will be acceptable and rewarded only during the Gospel Age.

It is only as “new creatures” that the saints of the Gospel Age have been on the way to life; and only as human beings are they consecrated to destruction, as sacrifices. If, as human creatures, they be dead with Christ, as new, spiritual beings, they shall live with Him. (Rom. 6:8) The mind of God in them, the transformed mind, is the germ of the new nature. The new life would be easily choked; and Paul assures us that when begotten of the spirit through the truth, if they live after the flesh, they shall die (lose their life), but if they, through the spirit, do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body (the disposition of the human nature), they (as new creatures) shall live; for the sons of God are those led by the spirit of God. (Rom. 8:13-14) This is a thought of utmost importance to all the consecrated; for if they have covenanted with God to sacrifice the human nature, and if that sacrifice was accepted by Him, it is useless to attempt to take it back. The human is reckoned of God as dead now, and must actually die, never again to be restored. All that can be gained, by turning back to live after the flesh, is a little human gratification at the expense of the new spiritual nature.

There have been, however, many consecrated ones desirous of the prize, and begotten of the spirit, who have been partially overcome by the allurements of the world, the desires of the flesh, or the arts of the devil. They have partially lost sight of the prize set before them, and have tried to walk upon a middle road – to keep the favor of God and the favor of the world, forgetting that “The friendship of the world is enmity with God.” (Jas. 4:4) The instructions to those running the race for the prize were: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15) “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” (John 5:44)

These, who have loved the present world, but who have not wholly forsaken the Lord and despised their covenant, have received a scourging and purifying by the fire of affliction. As the Apostle expresses it, they are delivered over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit (the newly begotten nature) may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (1 Cor. 5:5) And if rightly exercised by the discipline, they will finally be received into the spiritual condition. They will have everlasting, spirit life as angels have it, but will lose the prize of immortality. They will serve God in His temple, and stand before the throne, having palms in their hands (Rev. 7:9-17); but though that will be glorious, it will not be so glorious as the position of the “little flock” of overcomers, who will be kings and priests unto God, seated with Jesus in the throne as His bride and joint-heir, and with Him crowned with immortality.

Theirs has been a rugged, steep, narrow way, but the Captain’s word is encouraging: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9) The difficulties of this way have acted as a separating principle to sanctify and refine a “peculiar people” to be “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.” In view of these things, they were to come boldly to the throne of grace, that they might obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need, while they fought the good fight of faith and laid hold on “the crown of glory” – immortality, the divine nature. (2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4)

THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS

While the special hope of the Gospel Age is so surpassingly glorious, the new order of things in the age to come is to be entirely different. As a different hope is held out, so also a different way leads to it. The way to immortality has been a way which required the sacrifice of the otherwise lawful and proper hopes, ambitions and desires – the sacrifice forever of the human nature. But the way to human perfection, to restitution, the hope of the world, requires only the putting away of sin: not the sacrifice of human rights and privileges, but their proper enjoyment. It will lead to personal purification and restoration to the image of God as enjoyed by Adam before sin entered the world.

The way back to actual human perfection is to be made very plain and easy; so plain that none may mistake the way; so plain that “the wayfaring man, and those unacquainted therewith, shall not go astray” (Isa. 35:8 – Leeser); so plain that none will need to teach his neighbor, saying, Know the Lord, for all shall know the Lord from the least unto the greatest. (Jer. 31:34) Instead of being a narrow way that few can find, it is termed “a highway,” a public roadway – not a narrow, steep, rugged, difficult, hedged byway, but a way specially prepared for easy travel – specially arranged for the convenience and comfort of the travelers. It is a public road, open to all the redeemed, all for whom Christ died – everyone. Those who will recognize and avail themselves of the opportunities and blessings purchased by the precious blood may go up on this Highway of Holiness to the grand goal of perfect restitution to human perfection and everlasting life. (Isa. 35:8-10)

These will not be merely reckoned justified and granted a reckoned standing of holiness and perfection in the sight of God. When started upon this highway of holiness they may go up thereon to actual perfection, as a result of endeavor and obedience, to which all things will be made favorable by their Redeemer, then reigning in power. Each individual will, according to his needs, be aided by the wise and perfect administration of the new Kingdom. This is the legitimate result of the ransom.

Since our Lord, the man Christ Jesus, gave Himself a ransom for all, and desires all to come to a knowledge of the truth, and thereby to actual perfection, why does He not at once make a good and broad highway for all? Why does He not remove the obstructions, the stumbling-stones, the pitfalls and snares? Why not help the sinner back to full harmony with God, instead of making the way narrow, rugged, thorny, hard to find, and still harder to walk in?

A failure rightly to divide the Word of Truth, has led some to very confused ideas. Failing to see God’s plan, many try to preach a highway of holiness in the Gospel Age, when no such way exists, and they confuse and compromise the matter to fit the facts and the Scriptures with their mistaken theories. On the highway soon to be opened, only sinful things will be prohibited, while those who have traveled the narrow way had to deny themselves and sacrifice many things not sinful, as well as war continually against besetting sins. This is a pathway of sacrifice, as that of the coming age is to be a highway of righteousness.

Of that highway it is significantly stated in symbolic language that “No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon; it shall not be found there.” (Isa. 35:9) How many frightful lions are now in the way of those who would be glad to forsake sinful ways, and to pursue righteousness! There is the lion of a degenerate public sentiment, which deters many from venturing to obey the dictates of conscience in matters of everyday life – dress, home, and business arrangements, etc. The lion of temptation to strong drink and other corrupting influences hinders many who would be glad to see them removed, but only the authority and power of the next age can remove them.

No “ravenous beasts” in the form of giant corporations, organized to advance selfish, individual interests at the expense of the general good, will be tolerated. “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain [kingdom]: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:9) Though there will be difficulties to labor against in overcoming propensities to evil, etc., yet, in comparison with the narrow way of the Gospel Age, that will be an easy way. The stones (stumbling-stones) shall all be gathered out, and the standard of truth shall be lifted up for the people. (Isa. 62:10)

Ignorance and superstition will be things of the past, and righteousness will receive its due reward, while to evil will be meted out its just deserts. (Mal. 3:15, 18) By wholesome chastise­ments, fitting encouragements and plain instructions, as returned prodigals, mankind will be trained and disciplined up to the grand perfection from which father Adam fell. “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return [from destruction by way of the highway of holiness], and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isa. 35:10)

Our Lord referred to but two of the three ways, the broad way and the narrow way, because the third was not yet due to be opened up – just as when announcing the good tidings, He said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” He omitted mentioning the “day of vengeance,” because it was not then due. (Luke 4:18-21; compare Isa. 61:2) Now, however, as the narrow way has drawn to a close, the grand highway of righteousness begins to be seen more and more distinctly, in the light of the dawning day.

We have found a “Broad Road,” on which at present the masses of mankind travel, deluded by the “prince of this world,” and led by perverted tastes. We have found that it was opened up and that our race was started in its headlong course upon it by “one man’s disobedience.” We have found that the “Highway of Holiness” is to be opened up by our Lord, who gave Himself a ransom for all and redeems all from the destruction to which the “Broad Road” leads, and that it will, in due time, be accessible and easy for all the redeemed ones whom He bought with His own precious blood. We have found, furthermore, that the “Narrow Way,” opened up by the merit of the same precious blood, has been a special way leading to a special prize, and was made especially narrow and difficult as a test and discipline for those selected to be made partakers of the divine nature and joint-heirs with our Lord Jesus in the Kingdom of glory soon to be revealed for the blessing of all. Such as have had this hope – who have seen this prize – may count all other hopes as but loss and dross in comparison. (Phil. 3:8-15)

(From Studies in the Scriptures, Volume I, Chapter XI, with some editing.)

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PRESENTATION OF SELF ALWAYS A REASONABLE SERVICE

Commenting on the status of those who present themselves in consecration after the close of the High Calling, That Servant noted that since God is unchangeable, He is always pleased for any to devote their lives wholly and unreservedly to doing His will. (See Reprint 4835) His advice then to all who love the Lord and who desire to be in complete fellowship with Him was the same message that has gone forth throughout this age: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1)

It is because these “Youthful Worthies” have the faith of Abraham that they will be blessed with him and have the privilege of participating in the blessing of all nations. (Gal. 3:6-9) Having this faith quality, they heed the Lord’s invitation to consecrate; they give Him their hearts. (Prov. 23:26) There being no opportunity for them to win a crown with Christ, He does not beget them of His Spirit, but gives them a new human heart to love Truth and Righteousness and to serve Him. They too, like the Little Flock, become dead to self and the world and alive to God, practicing watchfulness and prayer, studying and spreading the Word. Thus, the Youthful Worthies also must be faithful to the Lord – even unto death, if He deems it necessary.

We read, “Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country.” (Lev. 24:22) The “stranger” here types those consecrating between the ages. They are “strangers” because they are strangers to the Little Flock, having consecrated themselves too late to be of that select company. Just as there was “one manner of law” for the Jews and for the foreigners visiting in their land, Youthful Worthies are under the same law as the Saints, meaning they make the same manner of consecration – a complete desire to do God’s will and they have been similarly blessed with a clear understanding of Present Truth.

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[1] Pastor Russell taught an unbegotten class consecrating after the closing of the “door” to the High Calling. See Reprint 5761, under the heading “Those Consecrating Between the Ages.” See also further comments at the end of this paper.

NO. 816: “THE DAY OF VENGEANCE”

No. 816

Part Eight – The Battle of the Great Day

“For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name [Christendom, Babylon], and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the Lord of hosts . . . The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord.” (Jer. 25:29-31)

This is a continuation from our July 2025 paper on “The Day of Vengeance.”

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The conflict of this Day of Vengeance will be so complex and peculiar that no one symbol could describe it. Accordingly, many forceful symbols are used in the Scriptures, such as battle, earthquake, fire, storm, tempest, and flood. (Rev. 16:14, 18; Zeph. 3:8; Nah. 1:3-8; Isa. 28:2) That these are not to be literal floods, fires, and other natural disasters destructive of our planet Earth and its population, is evident from the statement (symbolic) that the present order of things, when destroyed, will be followed by a new order: “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens [God’s glorified Church] and a new earth [human society reorganized under God’s Kingdom], wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Pet. 3:13; Isa. 65:17)

Referring to that new order of things after the fire of God’s retributive vengeance shall have burned up present evils, God, through the Prophet, says: “For then will I turn to the people a pure language [the Truth], that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.” (Zeph. 3:9)

TWO REMARKABLE TYPES

But let no one conclude because these various descriptions are not literal, but symbolic, that they may therefore represent merely a battle of words, a quaking of fear, or a trivial storm of human passion. For though controversy, and words of passion and arguments will be and are among the weapons used in this battle, especially in the beginning of it, yet it will not end with these. Every prophetic detail indicates that before it ends it will be a most violent conflict, a fierce and terrible storm. We have already observed the typical character of the great tribulation which came upon fleshly Israel in the end of the Jewish Age. Now having come to the parallel period – the harvest of the Gospel Age, we see all the indications of a similar, though much greater trouble, upon “Christendom,” its antitype. While the judgments visited upon Judea and Jerusalem were terrible in the extreme, they were only on a small scale as compared with the great tribulation upon Christendom, involving the whole world and now fast approach­ing.

The Roman army and regular warfare caused but a small portion of the trouble in the end of the Jewish Age, noted as the most terrible on the pages of history, and approached only by the French Revolution. It sprang mainly from national disintegration, the overthrow of law and order – anarchy. Selfishness apparently took complete control and arrayed every man against his neighbor – just as is predicted of the coming trouble upon Christendom (in the midst of which the great spiritual temple, God’s elect Church, will be completed and glorified). “For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.” (Zech. 8:9-11)

That times have not so changed as to make such a calamity either impossible or improbable in our day is too manifest to require proof. But if any should be inclined to doubt it, let them call to mind the great Revolution that only a little over one century ago (now two) brought France to the verge of social ruin and threatened the peace of the world.

Some have the erroneous idea that the world has outgrown the barbarities of earlier days, and they rest in fancied security and assume that such calamities as have occurred in the past could not befall the world again, but sound judgment and an acquaintance with the facts of even recent history and with the present feverish pulse of humanity are sufficient to guarantee the possibility of a duplication of the past, even without the sure word of prophecy, which foretells a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.

In the symbolic language of Revelation, the French Revolution was indeed a “great earthquake” – a social shock so great that all “Christendom” trembled until it was over; and that terrible and sudden outburst of a single nation’s wrath may give some idea of the fury of the coming storm, when the wrath of all the angry nations will burst the bands of law and order and cause a reign of universal anarchy. It should be remembered, too, that that calamity occurred in what was then the very heart of Christendom, in the midst of what was regarded as one of the most thoroughly Christian nations in the world, the nation which for a thousand years had been the chief support of Papacy. A nation intoxicated with Babylon’s wine of false doctrines in church and state, and long bound by priestcraft and superstition, there vomited forth its pollution and spent the force of its maddened rage. In fact, the French Revolution seems referred to by our Lord in His Revelation to John on Patmos as a prelude to, and an illustration of, the great crisis now approaching.

In all the leading causes which culminated in the terrors of the French Revolution, we see a strong resemblance to similar conditions today which are rapidly and surely leading to the foretold similar results on a world-wide scale. Mark the growing animosity between the privileged classes (royalty and aristocracy) and the working classes, the discussions of the rights and wrongs of the people, and the decline of respect for both civil and ecclesiastical authority. Note also the revolutionary current of popular thought and expression – the increasing dissatisfaction of the masses of the people with the ruling powers and the institutions of government. And if the American Declaration of Independence, with its proclamation of human rights and of the foundation of government in contract and the consent of the people, inspired the masses of the French with a desire for liberty and independence, it is not surprising that the successful experiment of this government of the people and by the people, and the measure of liberty and prosperity here enjoyed, are having their effect. The ever-continuous tide of emigration from other countries to this country is another evidence of the impression which this experiment has made upon the peoples of other nations.

And yet, the liberty and prosperity here enjoyed are far from satisfactory to the people here. They crave a still better condition and are seeking measures to attain it. Nowhere throughout Christen­dom does this determination assert itself more positively and boldly than here. Every man is on the qui vive to assert his real or fancied rights. The trend of thought here, as elsewhere, is in the current of revolution, and is daily becoming more so.

The French Revolution was a struggle of a measure of light against gross darkness; of the awakening spirit of liberty against long established oppression; and of a measure of truth against old errors and superstitions, long encouraged and fostered by civil and ecclesiastical powers for their own aggrandizement and the people’s oppression. And yet, it exhibited the danger of liberty unguided by righteousness and the spirit of a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7) A little learning is indeed a dangerous thing. One of Charles Dickens’ stories, the scene of which is laid in the troublous times of the French Revolution, begins thus, and aptly fits the present time, as he suggests: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

While we see the same causes operating throughout the world today, to produce similar results on a more extended scale, we cannot console ourselves with ideas of fancied security, and proclaim Peace! Peace! when there is no peace; especially in view of the warnings of prophecy.

When the conditions are fully ripe for the great Revolution a most trivial circumstance may serve as a match to set on fire the present social structure throughout the whole world. In the case of the French Revolution, the first overt act, it is said, was the beating on a tin pan by a woman whose children were hungry. Soon an army of mothers was marching to the royal palace to ask for bread. Being refused, they were joined by the men, and soon the wrath of the nation was kindled and the flames of revolution swept the whole land.

And yet, the royalty was so oblivious to the conditions of the people, and so surrounded with plenty and luxury, that even when these outbreaks came, the queen could not comprehend the situation. Hearing from her palace the commotion of the mob, she inquired what it meant, and being told that the people were clamoring for bread, she replied, “It is foolish for them to make such an ado about bread: if bread is scarce, let them get cake, it is cheap now.”

So striking is the similarity of the present to those times, that the alarm is being sounded by many thoughtful discerners of the signs of the times, while others cannot realize the situation. The cries which preceded the French Revolution were as nothing in comparison to the appeals now going up from the masses all over the world to those in power and influence.

The retributive character of the great tribulation upon fleshly Israel in the harvest of the Jewish Age was very marked, as was that of the French Revolution. It will likewise be so manifest in the present distress when the climax is reached. We must expect that the approaching trouble will be no less bitter and severe than these two illustrations, but rather more terrible as well as more general for two reasons. First, present day conditions render each member of the social structure more dependent than ever before, not only for new and increased comforts and luxuries, but also for the very necessities of life. Secondly, the Lord specially declares that the coming trouble will be such as has never been before and never will be again. (Dan. 12:1; Joel 2:2; Matt. 24:21)

While there is no hope held out that this trouble can be averted, there are instructions in the Scriptures to those who would hide from the coming storm. First, the faithful of the Church are promised deliverance before the full force of the storm breaks. Secondly, all who love justice and pursue peace should diligently set their house in order, as directed by the Word of the Lord, which says: “Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” (Zeph. 2:2-3)

The Prophet Joel calls upon those who see these things to sound an alarm, saying, “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain [Christendom – the professed holy mountain or kingdom of the Lord]: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” (Joel 2:1) The Psalmist says, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? . . . Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone [symbols of trouble and destruction], and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his counte­nance doth behold the upright.” (Psa. 11:3-7)

The battle of this great day of God Almighty will be the greatest revolution the world has ever seen. It will be one in which every principle of unrighteousness will be involved, “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.” (Matt. 10:26) This will be true in the judgment of the nations as well as in the judgment of individuals. Even now, the searchlight of general intelligence is discovering the secret springs of political intrigue, financial policies, religious claims, etc., and how all are brought to the bar of judgment, and by men, as well as by God, declared right or wrong as judged by the teachings of the Word of God – by the golden rule, the law of love, the examples of Christ, etc., all of which are coming into such remarkable prominence in the discussions of these times.

The battle of the great day, like every other revolutionary war, has its stages of gradual development. Behind the strife are the inspiring causes, the real or fancied national and individual wrongs. Next comes a keen appreciation of those wrongs by those who suffer from them. Various attempts at reform generally follow which prove futile and lead to controversies, wars of words, divisions, conflict of opinions, and finally to revenge and conflict of arms. Such is the order of the Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty. Its general character is that of a struggle of light against darkness, of liberty against oppression, of truth against error. Its extent will be worldwide – peasant against prince, pew against pulpit, labor against capital. The oppressed will be up in arms against injustice and tyranny of every kind. The oppressors will be up in arms for the defense of what they have long considered to be their rights, even when those rights are seen to encroach upon the rights of others.

THE LORD’S GREAT ARMY

We have noted the work of preparation for the conflict of this evil day – the organizing, equipping and drilling of immense armies, the building of great navies, the invention of new and wonderful engines of war, etc. As we view the millions of armed and disciplined warriors, we inquire which of all these mighty hosts is that army to which the Prophets point as the Lord’s great army? Can the prophetic references be to any of these? Or can this reference be to the people of God, the soldiers of the cross, whose weapons are described by the Apostle Paul as not carnal, but mighty, through the pulling down of strongholds? (2 Cor. 10:3-5) Can it be that the “sword of the Spirit,” the Word of God (Eph. 6:17) in the hands of God’s people filled with His spirit, is to accomplish the great work of overthrowing all the kingdoms of this world and giving them to Christ for an everlasting possession?

Would that it might be so, but such will not be the case as we have already seen, both from prophecy and from the signs of the times. It is evidently not the saints who are the Lord’s great army that is to overthrow the kingdoms of this world. As the Apostle says, their weapons are indeed mighty among those who are influenced by them (2 Cor. 10:4-5), but they do not operate in the same way upon the world. The army of the saints is, moreover, not a “great army,” but a “little flock,” as our Lord Himself designated it. (Compare Luke 12:32; Joel 2:11)

Hear the prophetic description of this army:

“A great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like; neither shall be any more after it . . .  Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains [kingdoms] shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.  Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness . . . The earth [the present social order] shall quake before them; the heavens [the ecclesiastical powers] shall tremble: the sun and the moon [the illuminating influences of the gospel and the Mosaic law] shall be dark [infidelity having become prevalent], and the stars [the apostolic lights – Rev. 12:1] shall withdraw their shining: And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible, and who can abide it?” (Joel 2:2-11) The dark night will have come wherein no man can labor. (John 9:4; Isa. 21:9, 11-12)

Under the Lord’s overruling providence, it is this army that will “overthrow the throne of kingdoms” and destroy their strength. (Hag. 2:22) But where is there such an army? The description of the Prophet is not of an undisciplined mob, which might be easily dealt with by those educated in the arts of war; it is rather a description of a mighty host under a high degree of discipline.

Where is there presently such an army, before which the earth [society] will quake and the heavens [ecclesiasticism] tremble? (Joel 2:10) Where is the army that in the near future will dare deny Christendom’s time-honored doctrines, its statecraft and priest­craft? Where is the army that will set the heavens on fire, and melt the earth with fervent heat, thus making one vast universal wreck of the old order of things as predicted by the Prophets?

That such an army is coming into existence and preparing for the desperate conflict we are forcibly assured by the signs of the times and by the “sure word of prophecy.” And it is the recognition of this fact (without any reference to or knowledge of the word of prophecy) that is now filling the heart of Christendom with fearful foreboding, and impelling statesmen everywhere to take extraordi­nary measures for protection and defense.

But in these very measures for self-defense devised by “the powers that be,” there is probably a snare which they do not realize. The armies upon which they depend for defense are the armies of the common people: their service of thrones and kingdoms is only secured by imperative orders, and made endurable by a remuneration which they are fast coming to consider as no satisfactory compensation for the hardships and privations which they and their families must undergo, not to mention perils to life and limb and health and fortune.

Year by year these armed hosts are less and less infatuated with the “glory” of war, more keenly alive to its sufferings and privations, and less and less devoted to the sovereign powers that command their services, while the armies of toilers, of the common people at home, are becoming more and more irritated and dissatisfied with their lot, and more and more apprehensive of the future. All of these things are indications of at least a possibility that in the crisis approaching the mighty armed and disciplined hosts of Christendom may turn their power against the authorities instead of using their power to uphold and preserve them.

Just what conditions and circumstances will be used of the Lord as His “voice” of command to marshal this mighty army we may not now be able to clearly surmise; but we live in a day which makes history rapidly. On general principles it would not be unreasonable to expect movements in this direction at any time, but we have seen that God has a set time for every feature of His plan. We see already, “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after [forward to] those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” (Luke 21:26)

All people are able to see something of the dark outlines of the trouble coming closer and closer. Society is apparently like a tinderbox ready for the match – like a powder magazine, ready to explode at any moment – like an organized army, ready for the assault at the word of command. Mankind in general is unconscious of the Lord’s interest in this battle. Almost all the combatants gird on the armor for personal and selfish interests which they rightly realize the Lord could not share. Hence, while all on every side are ready to call on the Lord for His blessing, few count on it; all seem to rely upon themselves – their organizations, their numbers, etc. None will be more surprised than the “powers of the heavens,” the leaders of the present ecclesiastical order, who have sought to establish a plan of their own while neglecting the Lord’s plan as revealed in His Word. (Matt. 24:29)

Hear the Lord’s words: “For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act . . . for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption [an expiration, a consummation], even determined upon the whole earth.” (Isa. 28:21-22)

Although there will be previous frequent skirmishes, the great decisive battle cannot begin until the great Michael, the Captain of our salvation, stands up and gives the word of command. (Dan. 12:1) And the great Captain has informed His royal legion, the Church, that the catastrophe, though imminent, cannot occur until His own, the Little Flock, have all been sealed and gathered.

In the meantime, let us remember the Apostle’s inspired description of this trouble – that it will be as travail upon a woman with child. There will be spasms or throes of trouble, with shortening intervals between. It has been just so thus far; and each future spasm will be more severe, until the final ordeal in which the new order will be born in the death-agonies of present institutions.

Because the Lord has generally been letting the world take its own course, His interference now will seem strange to those who do not understand the dispensational changes due. But in this “battle” He will cause the “wrath” of men (and their ambition and selfishness) to praise and serve His purposes, and He will restrain the remainder which would serve no purpose. (Psa. 76:10) With much long-suffering He has permitted the long reign of sin, selfishness and death because it could be overruled for the trial of His elect Church, and in teaching all men “the exceeding sinfulness of sin.” But seeing that the world in general despises His law of love and truth and righteousness, He purposes a general discipline before giving the next lesson, which will be a practical illustration of the benefits of righteousness, under the Millennial Kingdom of His dear Son.

While the Lord forbids His people to fight with carnal weapons, and while He declares Himself to be a God of peace, order, and love, He also declares Himself to be a God of justice, and shows that sin will not forever triumph in the world, but that it will be punished. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Rom. 12:19; Deut. 32:35) And when He rises up to judgment against the nations, taking vengeance upon all the wicked, He declares Himself “a man of war” and “mighty in battle,” and having a “great army” at His command. And who can give assurance that the multitudes who now compose the marshalled hosts of Christendom will not then constitute the great army that will throw its mighty force against the bulwarks of the present social order. (Exod. 15:3; Psa. 24:8; Psa. 45:3; Rev. 19:11; Isa. 11:4; Joel 2:11)

“The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.” He thus attributes to Himself the cry and roar of His great army and their success in accomplishing, though ignorantly, His work of destruction. He adds, “I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.” (Isa. 42:13-14)

But there are also intimations in the Scriptures that there may be others beyond the rebelling hosts of Christendom who will also form a part of the Lord’s great army. Through the Prophet Ezekiel, the Lord refers to this time and the approaching calamities upon Christendom: “And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it . . . Make a chain [unite them; let them make a common cause]: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city [Babylon, Christendom] is full of violence. Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen [nations], and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places [their sacred places, their religious institutions, etc.] shall be defiled.” (Ezek. 7:21-24)

Perhaps this signifies that the uprising will be so extremely brutal and savage as to outrival the barbarities of all heathen invasions – as was the case in the French Revolution. Our opinion, however, is that “the worst of the heathen” are those in Christendom who are “without God” and without Christian sentiments or hopes; who hitherto have been restrained and held in check by ignorance, superstition and fear, but who are rapidly losing these restraining influences.

The Lord, by His overruling providence, will take charge of this great army of discontents and use their follies and selfishness to work out His own grand purposes in the overthrow of present institutions, and for the preparation of man for the Kingdom of Righteousness. It is for this reason only that it is termed the Lord’s great army. None of His saints – none who are led by the spirit of God as sons of God are to have anything to do with that part of the “battle.”

UNPRECEDENTED CONDITIONS

It will be impossible to re-establish the present order. It has evidently outlived its useful­ness and is inequitable under present conditions. The general increase in secular knowledge and the discovery of how priestcraft has long blinded and controlled the masses with error and fear will lead to a widespread disrespect for religion. Religious people in general, not discerning that God’s time has come for a change of dispensation, will ignore reason, logic, justice and Scripture in defending the present order of things.

The combined religious power of Christendom will be utterly futile against the rising tide of anarchy. “And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.” (Isa. 34:4; Rev. 6:14) The two great bodies which constitute the ecclesiastical heavens, Papacy and Protestantism, as the two distinct ends of the scroll are even now rapidly approaching each other, rolling together. Finally, they will “melt with fervent heat.” (2 Pet. 3:12)

“What do ye imagine against the Lord? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.” (Nah. 1:9-10) Protestantism and the Papacy can never perfectly assimilate; each will be a thorn in the other’s side. Intoxicated with the spirit of the world, they will be overwhelmed in the great tribulation, and, as religious systems, be utterly destroyed.

(Excerpts from Studies in the Scriptures, Volume IV, Chapter XI, condensed and edited. Lengthy quotations have been omitted. Note: This Chapter of Volume IV continues with a discussion of “Jacob’s Trouble.” That section was addressed in our January 2024 paper No. 797.)

Write to us at: epiphanybiblestudents@gmail.com

NO. 815: “THE DAY OF VENGEANCE”

No. 815

Part Seven – Proposed Remedies

“Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? . . . We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one unto his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven.” (Jer. 8:22; Jer. 51:9)

This is a continuation of our series on “The Day of Vengeance” in our July through October 2024 papers, and our May and June 2025 papers.

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Various remedies are advocated as “cure-alls” for the relief of the groaning creation in its present, admittedly serious, condition; and all who sympathize with the suffering body-politic must sympathize also with the endeavors of its various doctors having diagnosed the case, who are all anxious that the patient should try their prescriptions. The attempts to find a cure and to apply it are surely commendable. Nevertheless, sober judgment, enlightened by God’s Word, tells us that none of the proposed remedies will cure the malady. The presence and services of the Great Physician and His remedies will be required, and nothing short of their efficient and persistent use will effect a cure for the malady of human depravity and selfishness.

It is manifest that none of the principal theories advanced for the betterment of present conditions (including socialism, communism, nationalism, tariff and tax schemes, etc.) are adequate to the necessities of the case. Besides these proposed remedies, there are any number of people who incessantly preach and pray about what they see wrong, and who want someone to stop the course of the world, but who neither see nor suggest anything even remotely practicable.

Some honest but thoroughly impractical souls vainly imagine that the churches, if awakened to the situation, could avert the impending social calamity, revolutionize society and re-establish it upon a new and better basis. They say if only the churches could be awakened, they could conquer the world for Christ and could themselves establish on earth a Kingdom of God upon a basis of love and loyalty to God and equal love for fellowmen. Some of them even claim that this, the Christ-spirit in the churches, would be the second coming of Christ.

How hopelessly impracticable this theory is need scarcely be pointed out. They consider their strength to be their numbers. If their vast numbers were saints, moved and controlled by love, there would indeed be force behind the argument, and it would seem thoroughly practical to say that if these were awakened to the true situation they could and would revolutionize society at once. But sadly, “tares” and “chaff” predominate, and the “wheat” class is small. As the great Shepherd declared, His is but a “little flock.” Like their Master, they are of “no reputation” or influence, and among them are not many wise, mighty or noble by the world’s standards. (1 Cor. 1:26) “Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (Jas. 2:5)

No, the spirit of Christ in His little flock is not sufficient to give them the Kingdom! The Church has never been without those who had this spirit. Our Lord declared before He left us that He would be with us to the end of the age, and so it has been fulfilled. But He also promised that as He went away (personally) in the end of the Jewish Age, so He would come again (personally) in the end of this age. He assured us that during His absence all faithful to Him would “suffer persecution” – that His Kingdom joint-heirs would “suffer violence” until He came again and received them unto Himself. He would then reward their faithfulness and sufferings with glory, honor and immortality, and a share in His throne and its power to bless the world with righteous government and knowledge of the Truth. Finally, He would then destroy the willful workers of iniquity from among the workers of righteousness. For this not only the groaning creation, but those with the first-fruits of the spirit (Rom. 8:23) have groaned and waited – for the Father’s time and the Father’s manner of bestowal. He has shown clearly that the time for these blessings is now at hand, and that they will be introduced by scourging the world with an awful time of trouble, which the saints escape by being changed and glorified in the Kingdom.

Unless any claim that wealth and education would have permitted the nominal church – “Christendom” – to conquer the world, God has given them these very advantages. Yet these opportunities seem to operate reversely, to cultivate pride, arrogance, and infidelity called “higher criticism” and will eventually result in the wreck of society. “Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

“THAT BLESSED HOPE”

In considering the question of supply and demand which is doing so much to divide humanity into two classes, the rich and the poor, we have as far as possible avoided harsh criticism of either side, firmly believing that present conditions are the result of the constitutional law of selfishness (the result of the Adamic fall) which dominates the vast majority of the human family, rich and poor alike. These deep-seated laws of constitutional selfish­ness are detested by a small number (chiefly the poor) who have found Christ and come heartily under His spirit and law of love. They would gladly abandon all selfishness, but they cannot. If all the rich were dead today, and their wealth distributed pro rata, those laws of selfishness would within a few years reproduce the very conditions of today. Indeed, many of the wealthy of today were once poor. And any system of laws that the majority of men might enact, which would deprive men of the opportunities for exercising their acquisitive and selfish propensities, would sap the life of progress and rapidly turn civilization back toward indolence and barbarism.

The only hope for the world is in the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ – the Millennial Kingdom: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Tit. 2:13) “Which hope we have as an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast.” (Heb. 6:19) “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:13)

It is God’s long promised remedy, delayed until its due time and now near, thank God, even at the door. Once more man’s extremity will be God’s opportunity – “the desire of all nations” will come at a juncture when human ingenuity and skill will have exhausted themselves in seeking relief to no avail. Indeed, it would seem to be the divine method to teach great lessons in schools of experience. Thus, the Jews directly (and we and all men indirectly) were taught by their Law Covenant the great lesson that by the deeds of the Law no (fallen) flesh could be justified before God. Thus did the Lord point His pupils to the better New Covenant of Grace through Christ.

The time of trouble, the “day of vengeance,” with which this age will close and the Millennial Age will open, will not only be a just recompense for misused privileges, but it will tend to humble the arrogance of men and to make them “poor in spirit,” and ready for the great blessings God is ready to pour upon all flesh. (Joel 2:28) Thus He wounds to heal.

Those unfamiliar with the divine program may perhaps inquire how the Kingdom of God can be established if all these human methods fail? What different scheme does it propose? If its scheme is declared in the Word of God, why cannot men put it into operation at once and thus avoid the trouble? We answer, God’s Kingdom will not be established by a vote of the people, nor by the vote of the aristocracy and rulers. In due time He “whose right it is,” He who bought it with His own precious blood, will take unto Himself His great power and reign. Force will be used: “And he shall rule them [the nations] with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers.” (Rev. 2:27) “Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord . . . For then [after they are humbled and ready to hear] will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.” (Zeph. 3:8-9)

Not only will the Kingdom be established with force and be a power that men cannot resist, it will so continue throughout the entire Millennial Age. The entire reign is for the specific purpose of vanquishing the enemies of righteousness: “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” (1 Cor. 15:25) His enemies will “lick the dust” and those that will not obey will be “destroyed from among the people,” in the Second Death. (Acts 3:23) Satan will be bound – all his deceptive and misleading influences will be restrained. (Rev. 20:2-3) Evil will no longer appear to men to be good and good appear to be evil or undesirable. Truth will no longer be made to appear false and lies made to appear true.

But as heretofore shown, the reign will not be one of force only; side by side with the force will be the olive branch of mercy and peace for all the inhabitants of the world, and they will learn righteousness when the judgments of the Lord are abroad in the earth. (Isa. 26:9) The sin-blinded eyes will be opened; and the world will see right and wrong, justice and injustice, in a light quite different from now – in “sevenfold” light. (Isa. 30:26; Isa. 29:18-20) The outward temptations of the present will largely be done away. Evils will neither be licensed nor permitted. A sure and swift penalty will fall upon transgressors, meted out with unerring justice by the glorified and competent judges of that time who will also have compassion upon the weak. (1 Cor. 6:2; Psa. 96:13; Acts 17:31)

These judges will not judge by the hearing of the ear nor by the sight of the eye, but rather they will judge by righteous judgment. (Isa. 11:3-4) No mistakes will be made; no evil deed will fail to receive just recompense: even attempts to commit crimes must speedily cease under such conditions. Every knee will bow to the power then in control and every tongue will confess to the justice of the arrangement. (Phil. 2:10-11) The new order of things will begin to appeal to the hearts of some (probably gradually with many), and what at first was obedience by force will become obedience from love, and appreciation of righteousness. Those who obey merely because compelled by force will eventually be cut off in the Second Death. (Rev. 20:7-9; Acts 3:23)

The rule and law of love will thus be enforced; not by consent of the majority, but in opposition to it. It will be turning civilization back from its ideas of republican rule and placing mankind temporarily under an autocratic rule for a thousand years. Such autocratic power would be terrible in the hands of either a vicious or an incompetent ruler; but God relieves us of all fear when He informs us that the Ruler of that age will be the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ, who has the welfare of man so at heart that He laid down His life as our ransom price in order that He might have the authority to lift out of sin-defilement and restore to perfection and divine favor all who will accept His grace by obedience to the New Covenant.

Early in the Millennium it will become apparent to all that this course which God has outlined is the only one adapted to the urgent needs of the sin-sick, selfish world. Indeed, some already see that the world’s great need is a strong and righteous government. They have begun to see, more and more, that the only persons who can safely be entrusted with absolute liberty are those who have been soundly converted – who have renewed wills, renewed hearts, the spirit of Christ.

THE PROPER ATTITUDE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE

What must we who see these things in their true light do now? We suggest that all that can now be done is to let our moderation be known unto all men. If engaged in business, either pay a reasonable wage or a share of the profits or else do not hire, and avoid dishonesty of every form. “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” (Rom. 12:17) Set an example of “godliness with contentment,” and always by word as well as by example discourage not only violence, but even discontent. Through faith and full consecration, seek to lead the weary and heavy laden to Christ and the Word of God’s grace. Should you, by God’s grace, be the steward of more or less wealth, do not worship it, nor seek to see how much you can accumulate for your heirs to wrangle over and misuse, but use it, according to your covenant, for God’s service and under His direction; remembering that it is not yours to keep, nor yours to use for yourself, but God’s, entrusted to your care, to be used in joyful service, to the glory of our King.

We have seen that it is inevitable, under the present social law, that either the masses of humanity will be crushed into the mire as the slaves of wealth and intellect, or that the present social order will crash under the reign of anarchy. We have seen that the Scriptures declare that it will be the latter, bringing an awful retribution upon all men, rich and poor, learned and ignorant. By actual demonstration it will teach men the folly of selfishness, and help them in the future to appreciate the wisdom of God’s law of love. The “great tribulation” will teach all a fearful, but eventually a most profitable, lesson. We are therefore prepared to next examine what the Scriptures have to tell us respecting the fall of “Babylon” – Christendom – in the great struggle in which this age will end.

We have viewed the failure of Christendom to adopt the spirit of Christ’s teachings. We have seen how the knowledge and liberty gained from His teachings were blended with the spirit of evil and selfishness. From present foreshadowings we mark the sure approach of the dread calamity – anarchy and every evil work. We see the justice of its permission, and read therein the divine law of retribution. Though we lament the evils which incur the retribution, yet realizing its necessity and justice, and having learned also the ends of mercy to be attained eventually by this very means, our hearts exclaim, “Great and wonderful are thy works, O Lord, God, the omnipotent! righteous and true are thy ways, O King of the nations.” (Rev. 15:3, Dia.)

To be continued in our August 2025 paper.

(Excerpts from Studies in the Scriptures, Volume IV, Chapter X, condensed and edited. Lengthy quotations have been omitted.)

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FORCES MUSTERING FOR ARMAGEDDON

“For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Rev. 6:17)

God seems to have given the Book of Revelation with the intent of covering up great and important truths, not only because these were not due to be understood, but because He designs to keep certain features of His Plan from the world. Being a book of symbols, the Revelation will not be understood by the world in general; but the Bible assures that when the due time comes, the wise among His people, the “wise virgins,” will understand. (Dan. 12:10; Matt. 25:1-13)

The Prophet Daniel tells us that the Time of the End is the time for those wise toward God to understand His great Plan, and he gives two particular signs by which this time will be especially marked: “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan. 12:4) Today we see this prophecy fulfilled. All over the world the people are running “to and fro” as never before, and all over the world opportunities for knowledge are such as have never before been known. The remarkable fulfilment of this prophecy charac­terizes our day as the Time of the End, in which this Gospel Age is to be concluded and the Messianic Age to be ushered in.

In the Scriptures God has seen fit to associate the name of Israel’s famous battlefield with the great controversy between truth and error, right and wrong, with which the change of dispensation will take place. While the phrase, “Battle of Armageddon,” is heard on all sides and is applied in many ways, nevertheless Christians realize that in the Bible this phrase is used in a spiritual sense.

We are saying nothing whatever against godly Christians at any time or in any place, in any church or out of any church. We realize that the Word of God conveys a terrible arraignment of some of the great systems of our day – some that we long have reverenced, that we have esteemed as containing many of God’s people. We have nothing to say against godly individuals; what we have to say in the interpretation of Scripture is with respect to these systems.

The Scriptures mention three agencies connected with the gathering of the hosts to this great battle. We read that three “unclean spirits” (teachings) will go forth from the mouths of the Dragon, the Beast and the False Prophet, and that these three will be in accord. These three doctrines, symbolically represented by frogs, are to have a mighty influence throughout the civilized earth; they are to gather the kings and their armies to the great Battle of Armageddon. (Rev. 16:13-16)

The ecclesiastical kings and princes, with their retinues of clergy and faithful adherents, will be gathered in solid phalanx – Protestants and Catholics. The kings and captains of industry, and as many as can be influenced by them, will be gathered to the same side. The political kings and princes, with all their henchmen and retainers, will follow in line on the same side. The financial kings and merchant princes, and all whom they can influence by the most gigantic power ever yet exercised in the world, will join the same side, according to this prophecy. They do not realize, however, that they are coming to Armageddon.

These “doctrines of demons,” represented by the frogs, will lead many noble souls to assume an attitude quite contrary to their preference. For a time, the wheels of liberty and progress will be turned backward, and medieval restraints will be considered necessary for self-preservation – for the maintenance of the present order of things and for the prevention of the new order which God has decreed.

In giving this interpretation, we must indicate what is symbolized by the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet. Bible students of nearly all denominations agree with us that the Dragon of Revelation represents the purely Civil Power. Protestant interpreters generally agree with us that the Beast “like unto a leopard” (Rev. 13:2) represents the Papacy. But fewer still, we fear, will be ready to support our view that Protestantism is the “image of the beast” (Rev. 13:15), elsewhere styled the “false prophet.” (Rev. 16:13)

“UNCLEAN SPIRITS LIKE FROGS”

The symbolisms of Scripture, rightly understood, are always forceful. When the Holy Spirit used a frog symbolically to represent certain doctrines or teachings, we may be sure that the true application will fit well. A frog is a small creature, yet it puffs itself up until it almost bursts in its efforts to be somebody; it has a wise look, even though it does not know much; and whenever it utters a sound it croaks. The three most prominent characteristics of a frog are then pomposity, an air of superior wisdom, and a continual croaking.

Applying these symbols, we learn that an evil spirit, influence, teaching, will come from the federated Protestant churches, from the Church of Rome, and from the civil authorities, and the three will be in full agreement. The spirit of all will be boastful, an air of superior wisdom and knowledge will be proudly assumed – all will croak in harmony. All will predict dire results to follow, involving the interests of both the present and the future life, if their counsel be not heeded. However conflicting the creeds, the differences will be ignored in the general proposition that nothing ancient must be investigated or repudiated, but that all things must remain as they are.

The divine authority of the Church, and the divine right of kings, aside from the Church, will not be permitted to conflict. Any persons or teachings in conflict with these boastful and unscriptural claims will be branded as everything vile, at the mouths of these frog-like spirits, speaking from pulpits and platforms and through the press. The nobler sentiments of some will be strangled by the philosophy of the same evil spirit which spoke through Caiaphas, the high priest, respecting our Lord Jesus. As Caiaphas declared it expedient to commit a crime in violation of justice, both human and divine, in order to be rid of Jesus and His teachings, so these frog spirits will approve of every violation of principle necessary to their self-protection.

The croaking of these frog spirits of doctrine will gather the kings and princes – financial, political, religious and industrial – into one great army. The spirit of fear, inspired by the croakings, will scourge the passions of otherwise good and reasonable men to fury, desperation. In their blind adherence to these evil spirits, evil doctrines, they will be ready to sacrifice life itself on the altar of what they mistakenly suppose is righteousness.

As we understand the Scriptures, for a brief time these combined forces of Armageddon will triumph. Free speech, free mails, and other liberties which have come to be the very breath of the masses of our day will be ruthlessly shut off under the plea of necessity, the glory of God, the commands of the Church, etc. All will seem serene until the great social explosion takes place, described in Scripture as “a great earthquake.”

In symbolic language, an earthquake signifies social revolution. The declaration of the Revelator is that it will be “such as was not since men were upon the earth.” Our Lord Jesus and the Prophet Daniel describe it as “a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.” (Rev. 16:18-19; Matt. 24:21; Dan. 12:1)

THE OPPOSING FORCES AT ARMAGEDDON

The false, froglike teachings will gather together into one host the great, the rich, the wise, the learned and the kings of the earth. At this juncture divine Power will step forward and marshal the hosts to Armageddon – to the Mount of Destruction. The very thing which they sought to avert by federation will be the very thing which they will hasten. Other Scriptures tell us that God will be represented by the great Messiah, and that He will be on the side of the masses. Thus, we read: “And at that time shall Michael [the God-like One – Messiah] stand up [assume authority], the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people.” (Dan. 12:1) He will take possession of His Kingdom in a manner little expected by many of those who erroneously have been claiming that they were His Kingdom, and authorized by Him to reign in His stead.

The Scriptures declare, “His servants ye are to whom ye obey.” (Rom. 6:16) Some may be rendering service to Satan and error while claiming to be serving God and righteousness; and some of these may be serving ignorantly, as did Saul of Tarsus, who “verily thought” that he did God service in persecuting the Church. The same principle holds true in reverse. As no earthly king holds himself responsible for the moral character of each soldier who fights in his battles, so the Lord does not vouch for the moral character of all who fight on His side of any question.

The same principle will apply in the approaching Battle of Armageddon. God’s side of that battle will be the people’s side; and that very nondescript host, the people, will be pitted at the beginning of the battle. Anarchists, Socialists, and hot-headed radicals of every school of reason and of unreason, will be at the forefront of the battle. The majority of the poor and of the middle class prefer peace at almost any price. The masses have no sympathy with anarchy; for they realize truly that the worst form of government is better than none.

Conscious of their own weakness as compared to the financial, religious and political kings and princes who will then hold sway, the masses will be restless. Through the ballot and the peaceful readjustment of earth’s affairs they will seek for the elimination of evil, for the placing of monopolies, utilities and the supplies of nature in the hands of the people for the public good. The crisis will be reached when the hitherto upholders of law become violators of that law and resisters of the will of the majority as expressed by the ballot. Fear for the future will lead the well-meaning masses to desperation, and anarchy will result when Socialism fails. This is the extremity toward which multitudes are being driven by the force of circumstances propelled by selfishness.

A comparatively small number, God’s consecrated people will at heart be longing for Messiah’s Kingdom. These will wait patiently for the Lord’s time; they will be of good courage, knowing the outcome: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” (2 Pet. 1:19) Horrible indeed would be the outlook for the future did we not have the infallible Word of God assuring us of a glorious outcome.

(Excerpts from Pastor Russell’s Sermons, pages 232-238, condensed and edited.)

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NO. 814: “THE DAY OF VENGEANCE”

No. 814

Part Six – Preparation of the Elements

“Wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy [wrath]. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.” (Zeph. 3:8-9)

This is a continuation from our May 2025 paper on “The Day of Vengeance.”

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The gathering of the nations in these last days, in fulfilment of the above prophecy, is very notable. The nations are “assembled” in the only manner in which they could be assembled – in common interest and activity – but sadly, not in brotherly love. Selfishness regulates every energy and enterprise, except the preaching of the gospel and the establishment of benevolent institutions. Even in these undertakings, one fears that much that is done is inspired by motives other than pure love for God and humanity. Selfishness has gathered the nations and has been steadily preparing them for the predicted, and now fast approaching, retribution – anarchy – which is so graphically described as the “fire” of God’s “jealousy” (anger), which is about to consume utterly the present social order – the world that now is. (2 Pet. 3:7)

While man is permitted the exercise of his free agency, God, by His overruling providence, is shaping human affairs for the accom­plishment of His own wise purposes. While men and their works are the agents and agencies, God is the great Commander who now gathers the nations and assembles the kingdoms preparatory to the transfer of earth’s dominion to Him “whose right it is,” Immanuel. (Ezek. 21:27)

This message of the Prophet would bring us only sorrow and anguish were it not for the assurance that the results will work good to the world, overthrowing the reign of selfishness and establishing, through Christ’s Millennial Kingdom, the reign of righteousness. A “pure language” indicates that men’s communica­tions with each other will no longer be selfish, but pure, truthful and loving, that they may all “serve the Lord with one consent.” The gathering of the nations will not only contribute to the severity of the judgment, but it will also make it impossible for any to escape it; and it will thus make the great tribulation a short and decisive conflict, as it is written: “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” (Rom. 9:28; Isa. 28:22)

Looking about us, we see the “elements” preparing for the fire of this day – the fire of God’s wrath. Selfishness, knowledge, wealth, ambition, hope, discontent, fear and despair are the ingredients whose friction will shortly set aflame the angry passions of the world and cause its various social “elements” to melt in the fervent heat. The contentment of the past is gone from all classes – all are dissatisfied. All are selfishly and increasingly grasping for “rights” or bemoaning “wrongs.” True, there are grievous wrongs which should be righted, and rights that should be enjoyed and respected; but the tendency of our time, with its increase of knowledge and independence, is to look only at the side of questions closest to self-interest, and to fail to appreciate the opposite side. The effect foretold by the Prophets will be ultimately to set every man’s hand against his neighbor, which will be the immediate cause of the great final catastrophe.

All classes will suffer terribly in this trouble, but the Scriptures inform us that the rich will suffer most. While the rich are diligently heaping up fabulous treasure for these last days, God, through the Prophets, is saying, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:15-20) In the distress of the hour, “They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: . . .  because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.” (Ezek. 7:19)

THE HEAPING OF TREASURES

It is evident that we are in a time preeminent above all others for the accumulation of wealth, and for “wanton” or extravagant living on the part of the rich. (Jas. 5:3, 5) Of course only a minority of those who seek wealth find it. The rush and strife for wealth is not always rewarded. As the Apostle said, “But they that will be rich [who are determined to be rich at all hazards] fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts [desires], which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money [wealth] is the root of all evil.” (1 Tim. 6:9-10) The majority, being inexperi­enced, take the risks and find disappoint­ment and loss, while the few, worldly-wise and keen, take few risks and reap most of the gains.

But is it true that there are poor and needy people in this land of plenty, in which so many are heaping together such fabulous wealth? Is it not his or her own fault if any healthy man or woman cannot get along comfortably? Would it not tend to cultivate dependence if the “well-to-do” should undertake to “paddle the canoes” of the poorer classes? The subject is regarded this way by many of the wealthy, who in many instances were once poor themselves, and who remember that then all who were able and willing to work could find plenty to do. They do not realize that great changes have taken place, and while their fortunes have improved wonderfully, the condition of the masses has gotten worse.

The wealthy and comfortable often find it difficult to realize the destitution of the poor, who are rapidly becoming more numerous. Even among those of the middle and wealthy classes who do think and feel for the distresses of the very poor, there is the realization of the utter impossibility of changing the present social order so as to bring any permanent relief to them. Thus, each does what little he thinks to be his ability and duty for those nearest to him, and tries to discredit or ignore the reports of misery.

It may be explained to the poor that the wealthy never were so charitable as now, that society has more ample provision for the disadvantaged than ever before, and that immense revenues are raised annually by taxation for the maintenance of these provisions. These explana­tions will surely not satisfy working people, however, because it is not charity that they want. They want a chance to honestly and decently earn a living. While they struggle harder than ever for an honest living, they read of the prosperity of the rich, the growing number of millionaires and billion­aires, and the concentrations of capital controlling the various industries. They see also that these monopolies control the machinery and technology of the world, causing the value of their labor to depreciate. Can we wonder that many are envious, angry, and embittered when they contrast the extravagant lifestyles and wastefulness of the wealthy with their own family’s deprivation? We cannot doubt that such matters awaken in the hearts of the masses feelings of envy, hatred, malice, and strife, which will ripen into open revolt during the great trouble-time impending.

The Lord, whose judgment against the rich as a class is so severe, will nevertheless be merciful to them as individuals. When in His wisdom He has destroyed their idols of silver and gold, and brought down their high looks, and humbled their pride, He will then be gracious to comfort and to heal such as renounce their selfishness and pride. To temper our judgement, it is well for us to remember that the term “rich” is a very broad one, and includes not only the immensely wealthy, but in many minds others who might be considered poor in comparison. We should also remember that many of the best and most benevolent people are among those considered to be rich by the very poor. Many of the rich not only justly pay heavy taxes to support public education and public charities, etc., but they also cheerfully contribute otherwise to the relief of the poor and to institutions they esteem worthy. Those who do these things out of good and honest hearts, and not (as we must admit is sometimes the case) for show and praise of men, will not lose their reward. And all such should be justly esteemed.

We do not in any sense justify the selfish extravagance of the rich, which the Lord condemns as wrong (Jas. 5:5), but considering these various sides we can be more sympathetic toward those who have been blinded with riches by the “god of this world,” who also blinds the poor upon some issues. He is thus leading both sides into the great “battle.”

We realize that some of the rich are very benevolent, and that they gain their wealth under the operation of the very same laws that govern all. We also realize that some of the poor are less generous naturally, and less disposed to be just than some of the rich, and that if places were changed, they would often prove more exacting and tyrannical than the rich. Nevertheless, the Lord declares that the possessors of wealth are about to be called into judgment, because they did not seek at their own cost a more equitable and generous plan, for instance, along the lines of Socialism.

However, not much is to be expected of the worldly; for selfishness is the spirit of the world. We have more reason to look to the prominent and wealthy who profess to be Christians, but they lay neither their lives nor their wealth upon God’s altar in the service of the gospel, nor do they give them in the service of humanity’s temporal welfare. Although many of the rich profess Christianity, like the remainder of the world, they know nothing about true Christianity – faith in Christ as a personal Redeemer, and full consecration of every talent to His service.

Truly, God’s Word testifies that God has not chosen many mighty or rich or worldly wise to be heirs of the Kingdom (1 Cor. 1:26); but chiefly the poor and despised according to the course and wisdom and estimate of this world. (Jas. 2:5) How hardly (with what difficulty) shall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven.[1] (Matt. 19:23-24)

The “poor rich” will pass through terrible experiences. “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you . . . Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” (Jas. 5:1-3) The weeping and howling of the rich will be heard shortly; and the knowledge of this should remove all envy and covetousness from all hearts, and fill them instead with sympathy for the “poor rich.”

SELFISHNESS IN COMBINATION WITH LIBERTY

But why cannot conditions be so altered as to gradually bring the equalization of wealth and comfort? The answer is, because the world is not governed by the royal law of love, but by the law of depravity – selfishness. While Christian doctrines promote liberty, and liberty leads to knowledge and education, “Christendom” has accepted Christian liberty and gained knowledge without having adopted Christ’s law. It has instead grafted its knowledge and liberty upon the fallen, selfish disposition, and has merely learned the better how to exercise its selfishness.

The Bible – the Old Testament as well as the New – has fostered the spirit of liberty, not directly, but indirectly. The Law indeed provided that servants be subject to their masters, but it also restricted the masters in the interests of the servants, assuring them that injustice would certainly be recompensed by the great Master of all – Jehovah. The Gospel, the New Testament, also does the same. (See Col. 3:22-25; 4:1) But the Bible assures us that while men differ in mental, moral and physical powers, God has made provision for a full restitution. By faith in Christ all may return to divine favor on a common level – rich and poor, bond and free, male and female, wise and unwise – “accepted in the Beloved.” 

The enlightening and freeing influences of the Bible have been acknowledged by statesmen (even those not Christian) and accepted by Christendom, but its law of love (the law of perfect liberty – Jas. 1:25) has been generally ignored. Thinking people are just waking to the fact that knowledge and liberty united constitute a mighty power which may be exerted for either good or evil. If knowledge and liberty as a lever move upon the fulcrum of love, the results will be powerful for good. If they move upon the fulcrum of selfishness, the results are evil – powerful and far-reaching evil. This is the condition which confronts Christendom today, and which is now rapidly preparing the social elements for the “fire” of “the day of vengeance” and recompenses.

In chemistry it is frequently found that some useful and beneficial compounds suddenly become poisonous by the change of proportions. So it is with the blessings of knowledge and liberty when compounded with selfishness. In certain propor­tions this combination has rendered valuable service to humanity, but the recent great increase of knowledge, instead of exalting knowledge to the seat of power, has enthroned selfishness. Selfish­ness dominates, and uses knowledge and liberty as its servants. This combination is now ruling the world; and even its valuable elements are rendered enemies of righteousness and peace by reason of selfishness being in control. Under present conditions therefore, selfishness, know­ledge, and liberty, with selfishness in control, constitute a triumvirate of evil power which is now ruling and crushing Christendom.

INDEPENDENCE AS VIEWED BY THE RICH AND POOR

The masses have only recently escaped from slavery and serfdom into liberty and independence, the shackles being forcibly broken by knowledge. Political equality has not been granted willingly, but inch by inch under compulsion. A new battle has begun on the part of the rich and well-to-do for the maintenance and increase of their wealth and power, and on the part of the lower classes for the right to labor and enjoy the moderate comforts of life. (See Amos 8:4-8)

If we accept the premise that all men are independent of each other, and that each should selfishly do the best he can for his own interest, regardless of the interests and welfare of others, then we could not object to these antagonistic positions. The fact is that neither the rich nor the poor can afford to be selfishly independent of one another. Mankind is one family: “And [God] hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.” (Acts 17:26) Each member of the human family is a human brother to every other human being. All are children of the one father, Adam, a son of God (Luke 3:38), to whose joint-care the earth with its fulness was committed by God as a stewardship. All are therefore beneficiaries of the divine provision: “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psa. 24:1) The fall into sin, and its penalty, death, accomplished by a gradual decline – physical, mental and moral – has left all men more or less impaired, and each should have the others’ sympathy and aid as needed.

If love were the controlling motive in the hearts of all men, each would delight to do his part for the common welfare, and all would be on an equal footing as respects the common necessities and some of the comforts of life. This would imply a measure of Socialism. But love is not the controlling motive among mankind, and conse­quently such a plan cannot operate now. Selfishness is the controlling principle with nearly all Christendom, and is bearing its own bitter fruit and ripening it now rapidly for the great vintage of Revelation. (Rev. 14:19-20)

Nothing short of a complete conversion of the world or the intervention of superhuman power could now change the course of the world from the channel of selfishness to that of love. Such a conversion is not dreamed of even by the most optimistic. Nominal Christianity has succeeded in outwardly converting a few of the earth’s billions, but true conversions – from the selfish spirit of the world to the loving, generous spirit of Christ – can be counted only in very small numbers. Hence, hope for this solution may as well be abandoned.

That leaves the intervention of superhuman power as the only hope, and just such a change is what God has promised in and through Christ’s Millennial Kingdom. God foresaw that it would require a thousand years to banish selfishness and re-establish love in full control of even the willing; hence He provided for just such “times of restitution.” (Acts 3:21) In the meantime, however, the few who really appreciate and long for the rule of love can generally see the impossibility of securing it by earthly means. The rich will not give up their advantages willingly, and the remainder of mankind are unable to provide sufficiently for themselves without the stimulus provided by either necessity or covetousness.

WHY PRESENT CONDITIONS CANNOT CONTINUE

One might suggest that there is no more danger of impending calamity now than in the past – no more danger now of the rich crushing the poor or the poor destroying the rich through anarchy. But this is a mistake; there is greater danger than ever before from both sides. It would require centuries of gradual oppression to make the masses again submit to the old order of things, in which they were the vassals of the landed nobility. The very suspicion of a tendency toward such a future for their children would lead to a revolution, and it is this fear which is helping to goad the poor to stronger protests than ever before attempted.

To expect a continuation or even an increase of the general prosperity would be unreasonable, for several reasons. The prosperity of recent history has been directly the result of the mental awakening of the world under divine supervision. (Dan. 12:4) This awakening has brought increased demands for goods from increasing numbers of people. Coming suddenly, the increase of demand exceeded the production, and hence wages in general advanced. All classes benefited for a time, and all civilized nations suddenly became much wealthier and more comfortable than ever before. Invention was stimulated by the demand, creating one labor-saving device after another. This has kept things going prosperously for the laboring classes, while making the capitalists of Christendom fabulously rich.

But now we are nearing the end of the lane of prosperity. While wages have reached an unprecedented height in recent years, the rise in the prices of the necessities of life has more than kept pace with the increase, thus exercising more than a counter-balancing influence. The collapse will come with a rush. Humanity, lifted high above any former level, has reached a place where (by reason of selfishness) it can lift no more – where something is giving way. It will catch and steady for a time before the cogs and levers which can go no farther break under the strain.

The operation of the law of supply and demand is sure, and can be made plain to any reasonable mind. The demand for human labor and skill was only temporarily increased in preparing the yet more abundant supply of machinery to take labor’s place, and the climax once reached, the reaction cannot be otherwise than sudden, and crushing to those upon whom the displaced weight falls.

Who cannot see that, under the present selfish system, as soon as the supply exceeds the demand (as soon as we have over-production) the race between people and machinery (technology) must be a short one, and one very disadvantageous to men. Machines cannot only do more work, but better work, than human workers can do. And they have no minds to cultivate, no perverse dispositions to control, no families to think of and provide for; they are not ambitious; they do not form unions and they are ready to work extra hours without serious complaint or extra pay. As slaves, therefore, machines are far more desirable than human slaves, and human labor and skill are therefore being dispensed with as far as possible.

The workers of the world are not blind. They see that competition among workers is becoming sharper every year. Every indication speaks of a greater press for work, by a yet larger army of unemployed, and consequently lower and yet lower wages. To avert this, Labor Unions have been formed, which surely have helped somewhat to maintain dignity and pay and to preserve many from the crushing power of monopoly. But these have had their bad as well as their good effects. They have led men to trust in themselves and their Unions for counsel and relief from the dilemma, instead of looking to God and seeking to learn from His Word what is His way, that they might walk therein and not stumble.

The theory of labor is correct when it claims that, under the divine law of love for the neighbor, the blessings and inventions incident to the dawning of the Millennial morning should inure to the benefit of all mankind, and not merely to the wealthy. They support their claims by the teachings of the Lord Jesus, and frequently quote His precepts. However, they seem to forget that they are asking the more fortunate to live by the rule of love for the benefit of those less fortunate, who still wish to live by the law of selfishness. Those who demand most loudly that those more fortunate than they should share with them are quite unwilling to share with those less fortunate than themselves.

ELEMENTS BEING PREPARED

The operation of the “Law of Supply and Demand” is absolute: no one can ignore it entirely and live under present social arrangements. For instance, if the farmer refuses to sell his wheat at the market price instead demanding a price adequate to compensate his own labor and that of those he employed, the result would be that his wheat would rot, his family and hired help would be in need, and the bank would foreclose on his debt. Likewise, if the farmer decided to pay his farm laborers more that the going rate, he would probably soon find himself in debt. If all farmers in the United States paid the same wages, and if all sold at fair prices, the elevators would be full of wheat, for foreign buyers would buy elsewhere at lower prices. Foreign wheat growers would then ship their wheat here, supplying the poor with cheap bread. This same law controls every other product of human labor or skill.

Another important element in preparation for the coming “fire” has been the organization of large corporations. These large concerns are forming conglomerates or trusts which are rapidly crowding out small enterprises which can neither buy nor sell as profitably as the large concerns. Not all conglomerates have abused their power, but no one will dispute that “the common people,” the masses, are in serious danger of injury at the hands of such giant corporations. Power and selfishness in an individual are dangerous, but these giant trusts not only have immensely more power and influence than individuals, they also have no consciences.

These combinations or trusts are indeed “giants” and they will soon control the world with their financial levers. Mankind is helplessly at the mercy of these giant outgrowths of the present selfish social system, and the only hope is in God. These giants threaten the human family now as literal giants threatened it during Noah’s time. These modern corporate giants are so great, powerful, and cunning, they cannot be conquered without divine interference. These giants are also hybrid beings: they are begotten by a wisdom that owes its existence to Christian civilization and enlightenment acting in combina­tion with the selfish hearts of fallen men.

As the giants of “the world that then was” before the flood were swept away in the flood of waters (2 Pet. 3:6), so these corporate giants are to be swept away in the coming flood of fire – the symbolic “fire” of God’s indignation, already kindling; “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.” (Dan. 12:1) All the giants of vice and selfishness will be consumed in that fire; they will fall, and will never rise again. (Isa. 26:13-14; Zeph. 3:8-9)

The divide between the rich and the poor is increasing. It is not possible that such a condition of things can continue forever; even the operation of the natural law of cause and effect would eventually bring retribution. Nor could we expect that the justice of God, which arranged that law, would permit such conditions forever. God, through Christ, has redeemed, and has espoused the cause of our unworthy humanity, and the time for its deliverance from selfishness and the general power of the evil one is at hand. (Rom. 8:19-23)

It is evident that no one man or company of men can change the present order of society; but by the Lord’s power and in the Lord’s way, as pointed out in the Scriptures, it can and will be changed for a perfect system, based not upon selfishness, but upon love and justice. To introduce this, the present conditions must be entirely overthrown. The new wine will not be put into the old bottles, nor a new patch upon the old garment. Hence, with sympathy for both rich and poor in the woes near at hand, we can pray, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven,” even though it be introduced with the “fire” of God’s indignation, for which we see the elements already being prepared.

(Excerpts from Studies in the Scriptures, Volume IV, Chapter VII, condensed and edited. Lengthy quotations have been omitted.)

[1] The “Needle’s Eye” was said to be a small gateway in the walls of ancient cities, used after sundown and described as being so small that a camel could pass through only on his knees, after his load had been removed. The illustration would seem to imply that a rich man would need to unload and kneel before he could make his calling and election sure to a place in the Kingdom.

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