NO. 449: “THINK IT NOT STRANGE"

by Epiphany Bible Students


No. 449

My dear Brethren: Grace and peace through our Beloved Master!

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you," is the counsel of the Apostle Peter in First Peter 4:12; and in verse 16 he appeals further, “If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” It is often most helpful to the proper understanding of any text to discern its background, the basis which prompted its expression; and such is definitely true in the present instance. It will be noted in verse I, chapter 1, that the Apostle is addressing his letter to "the strangers" of the Black Sea Provinces. The Diaglott expresses it much clearer: "Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to the sojourners of the dispersion." Who were these "sojourners of the dispersion"? Apparently, they were such Jews as had been exiled from or about Jerusalem, or those who had left because conditions there were more or less unbearable for them. It would seem these are the same ones mentioned in John 7:35, when the Jews who were hearing Jesus, "said among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? Will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles?"

Among such dispersed ones, those who had suffered afflictions for some cause or other, there would certainly be found some who were ready listeners to the message that Jesus was indeed the Christ, their Messiah; and it would seem St. Peter had been among them, had convinced some, and was striving to "establish them in the Present Truth." Of a certainty, those Jews had never seen Jesus personally; therefore, their acceptance of Him had been prompted by the testimonies of St. Peter or others. (1 Peter 1: 8) The prophecy (Isa. 8: 14) that "He shall be for a stone of stumbling, and. for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel" was not without purpose. Those Jews who received Him gladly did so from the heart; but those Jews who rejected Him likewise hated Him from the heart -hated also their former brethren who then accepted Him. To some He was the savor of life unto life; to some the savor of death unto death; and the latter snarled the opprobrious name "Christian" at their former fellows, as they spat upon the ground in the same breath, the worst of all insults they could express toward the new converts. Thus, St. Peter was telling such who had become His disciples that if they suffered under the offensive name "Christian" to be not ashamed, but to "Glorify God in this name."

The expression "fiery trial" in our text is from the Greek purosis, meaning literally "a burning," being the same word found, also in Rev. 18:9 and 18:18 (the word occurs but three times in the Bible), where the "burning" of that Great City which is called spiritually Sodom is described. This may be regarded as a fitting sarcasm in contrast that the same word should be used to describe the "sweet-smelling savor unto the Lord" which comes from the "burning," the sharp and faith-developing trials, .of the true Christians on the one hand, and the "burning," the utter destruction, of the "vine of the earth" on the other hand. And all of this is emphasized further by St. Peter in verse 17 of chapter 4: "Because the season is coming for the judgment to begin from the house of God; and if it begin first from us, what the end of those who are disobedient to the glad tidings of God?"

Today the name Christian is often spoken with respect, even by many Jews in the more enlightened countries; the name itself is no longer "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." Now Christians in name only must find other insulting terms for "Christians indeed ["Israelites indeed" -John 1:47]." To many who received "Present Truth" under That Servant, to be a "Russellite" was the most insulting term to apply to those "Christians indeed." To some, who believed Brother Johnson and his ardent adherents were in the Second Death, the epithet "Johnson-ite" would bear similar meaning to their fellows as did the name "Christian" in Apostolic times. Thus, we might substitute the words, "If any man suffer as a Johnson-ite, let him not be ashamed" -that is, if he suffers such epithets as a faithful footstep follower of Jesus Christ. Let us keep in mind that if we "suffer as a Christian," because of the Truth, we need never be ashamed - whether it be labelled Russellism, Hoefleism, or whatever opprobrium erstwhile brethren may use in contempt the same as did the Jewish brethren of Jesus in contemptuous use of the name "Christian." "As He was in this world, so are we."

"THAT OLD SERPENT THE DEVIL"

All of the "burning" -fiery trials -of God's people under the reign of evil have been instigated by "the God of this world," the evil one; and this has been markedly true of the difficulties of all new creatures during this Gospel Age. This is apparent at the very outset of the Age, when "the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession, Christ Jesus" (Heb. 3: 1) was "led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil." (Matt. 4: 1) The word here translated "Devil" is from the Greek diabolos, and is a specific name for the individual Satan -the Devil. It is the same word as found in Rev. 20:2: "He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan."

We believe the words dragon, serpent, Devil and Satan portray the four unholy attributes of Azazel -the personification of evil in completeness -just as Power, Wisdom, Justice and Love describe the four character attributes of Jehovah -the personification of Goodness and true Holiness in perfection. As the "dragon," the Evil One, has attempted to devour the Gospel-Age saints by the unholy use of power, just as he through Pagan Rome actually did "devour the child." (Rev. 12: 4) Honest opponents are devoured and crushed by the unholy use of power, just as that great apostate "woman Jezebe1" used unholy power to become "drunken with the blood of the saints." (Rev. 17:6) But in all of this seeming victory, God's holy use of power has preserved the fully faithful, has "laid up for them a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give them in that day … to all those who love His appearing." (2 Tim. 4:8) As the "serpent," the evil one has been the deceiver, the beguiling tempter, of the Age in a perverted use of wisdom -Azazel means perverter. "Now the serpent was more crafty than any living thing" (Gen. 3:1, Rotherham); and "the woman was deceived." (1 Tim. 2:14) But the "pure wisdom which is from above" has kept the fully faithful during the Age from being "hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Heb. 3: 13)

As the "devil," the Evil One has been the false accuser, the calumniator (so the Greek) of God's people, especially so in the Parousia-Epiphany in the persons of antitypical Jannes and Jambres, the slanderous false-accusing sifters described by St. Paul in 2 Tim. 3:1-9. And slander, lying, false statements, misrepresentations, bad conscience manifested toward the fully faithful, are they not all an abuse of justice, i.e., "in"-justice? But here again, the "justice that is laid to the line" has spoken, or will eventually speak, in vindication of all those "whose righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord." Then, finally as "Satan," the Evil One is the adversary, or opposer of God's fully faithful people. He often uses the measurably faithful, the "buckwheat" class, to oppose the fully faithful, causing them to meddle in the affairs of the wheat class in attempts to usurp their office powers. They frequently use the Truth given by God through His faithful mouthpieces to their own advantage, often palming it off as their own. They are all motivated through a lack of love and are those persons "who received not the Truth in the love of it," and who have been given an "energy of delusion" in return. "Thou hast given them blood [error] to drink" (Rev. 16:6) But the true love, coming from the One "altogether lovely" provokes to good works (Heb. 10:24) just as the lack of it opposes such good works, and attempts to promote evil works. Thus, there is clearly depicted the "High and Lofty One, who inhabiteth eternity, whose Name is Holy" (Isa. 57:15), as contrasted with the Evil One who will be "bound a thousand years, cast into the bottomless pit, that he should deceive the nations no more" (Rev. 20:2,3), and eventually annihilated.

THE PATTERN OF TEMPTATIONS WELL DEFINED

If we "consider Him," it becomes clear enough that Jesus had His most severe trials at the very outset, and then at the end of His walk on the "narrow way." After His anointing "with the spirit without measure" at Jordan, He was possessed of a consuming zeal, which so engrossed Him He did not even stop to eat for forty days. It would seem reasonable to believe that, knowing the great import of His mission on earth, and that "the King's business required haste," He memorized the entire Old Testament in those forty days, as well as to "rightly divide the word of Truth" on the various Tabernacle types, etc., of which He Himself would be the central figure in the antitype. According to His own words a little later, He had instructed those who have followed Him during the Age that every Tabernacle type had to continue until its antitype appeared -"Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (Matt. 5: 18; Luke 16: 17) Then, at the extreme end of His earthly ministry came the most severe trial of all -Gethsemane and the Cross; and this pattern is also clearly marked in the experiences of the Apostles -much persecution immediately after Pentecost, with greater climax toward the end of their lives. James was killed with the sword (Acts 12:2), Peter crucified head downward, John thrown into a vat of boiling oil, Paul having his head chopped off, etc. -with all of them having their most severe testings at the beginning and at the end of their narrow-way experiences.

And Satan, master of psychology, makes his boldest and strongest attempts when his intended victims are weakest. This he did in the case of Jesus, when He was weakened from His fast and arduous concentration at the end of the forty days. And this Satan did by evidencing real concern for His physical welfare. "You are hungry and weak," he had implied, "but you have received the Holy Spirit without measure; you have power to provide your every need; command that these stones be made bread." This would not only tryout the new power He had received, but would provide His temporal necessities at the same time. It might even decide Satan to repent and be converted, to join hands with Him in the work He was about to undertake.

Inasmuch as "He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin," we may be certain His followers all during the Age would be similarly tried -tempted to use the power of the Truth to their own present advantage; yet accomplish just as readily the work given them to do. Numerous are the examples along this line: Balaam, who succumbed to the temptation (Num. 22); St. Peter was "offered money" for the power he had, but emphatically resp0.nded that "the gift of God is not to be purchased with money" (Acts 8: 18-20); the Gospel-Age builders of Great Babylon becoming "rich, and increased of good, and in need of nothing" (Rev. 3:17) foolishly determined to bring to earth the Kingdom of God before "due time" -"my Lord delayeth." "Money is power," says Solomon; but it does not bring the power that maketh wise unto salvation; yet it has deceived many into believing they could be the "rich man" in this world, and "Lazarus" in the next. Just a cursory look at our Lord's course should convince them of their fallacious reasoning.

TEMPTATION TO USE UNLAWFUL METHODS

At Jesus' prompt rejection of Satan's first bit of sophistry, he took up a second mode of attack: "If thou be the son of God, cast thyself down" from the pinnacle of the temple. (Matt. 4:6) This task of redeeming, uplifting mankind from the mire of sin, from relieving the poverty and human frailty, so apparent on every hand, just could not be done without some sensational methods; and this has been the thinking of the minds of worldly men throughout the Age. One outstanding weakness of the "great multitude" all during the Age has been this very mistake; thus, they become "doubleminded" -a mind to serve the Lord while using Satan's methods. They would do great works, win great numbers, gain great favor with their fellows, yet bask in the smile of Heaven at the same time -a combination never parried by the fully faithful, but readily grasped by those befuddled by Azazel, attempting to juggle the "pearl of great price" (Matt. 13:46) with one hand, as they juggle "the pleasures of sin for a season" (Heb. 11:25) with the other hand. "They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare." (1 Tim. 6: 9) "The Kingdom of  Heaven cometh not with outward show," said Jesus, and He set us the example of being "meek and lowly of heart." There can be no argument with the statement, "The entrance of thy word giveth light," and the great "quickening" that comes upon entrance of the Truth into the human mind has caused the large majority to "think more highly of themselves than they ought to think." But the jester spoke a great truth when he declared, "O, if you would only know how much you have to know that you don't know nuthin."

It is a common fallacy of professional men - doctors, lawyers, preachers, technicians - to consider others stupid because the general knowledge of their particular vocation is so limited in the general mind. This is a mistake, of course,because many uneducated people could have made excellent doctors, lawyers, etc., had they been given the opportunity. It is a sage observation that the big difference between the professors and the students is that the professors read the books first. Therefore, it is sound counsel to all, and especially to the leaders in the church, to consider St. Paul's words: "Who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now, if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" (1 Cor.4: 7)

TEMPTATION TO COMPROMISE

,With Jesus' positive rejection of Satan's suggestion, there came immediately the third temptation, the temptation of Combinationism, which has overcome vast multitudes throughout the Age, and especially so here in the end of the Age. Satan would have Jesus to join with Him to accomplish His mission. Could not the two of them do it better than one of them alone? Would not two heads be better than one? Satan made it clear, of course, that he himself would be chief of the two heads: "All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." This temptation of Combinationism to God's people has been among the most alluring all during the Age - not stated in exactly the same words, of course, but with the same underlying principle. "Money is power," says Solomon; and this influence is stronger today than at any time in history, because there is so much more of it in the hands of so many more people of differing ideals and desires. The person today who contributes, say, $10,000 per year to his particular church, will not be lightly considered when he states his wishes to the preacher. One great source of strength with the last two Principal Men was their decision, SEATS FREE -NO COLLECTIONS. Since they asked no one for money, they could afford to tell them the truth; there was no need to compromise. This revives the story of an Admiral from the U.S. Navy: Deciding to go to church one Sunday morning as he returned from the sea, he walked to a pew near the front, occupied by one lone old man. As he joined the party, he was given reproachful glances, which however, he ignored. The old man, not to be thus disregarded, took one of his personal cards from his pocket, wrote on it, "I paid $1,000 for this seat." The Admiral turned the card to the other side, handed it back to its owner with the answer, "You paid too much." And certainly Jesus would have "paid too much" had He succumbed to the tricky deceit of Satan.

TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION

It is a sound observation that truth is stranger than fiction; and this is illustrated all about us today. Who wishes to hear the Truth? Even some among former brethren ~ those who once claimed to love the Truth more than life itself -there is very little of the "hearing ear" any more. And this situation is very evident in Churchianity everywhere; they are willing to listen to and receive almost any kind of hokus-pokus just as long as it isn't the Truth. Thus, to the vast majority, the Truth is indeed a "stranger," which emphasizes the truth of Jesus' inquiry: "When the Son of Man cometh, will He find the faith on the earth?" And the Berean Comment is most fitting: "The question implies that at that time the true faith (the Truth) would be almost extinct." (Luke 18:8, Berean Comment) But for those who do have the faith, the Present Truth, there is the comforting assurance of Psa. 89:15: "Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound [that have an ear for the Truth]; they walk, 0 Lord, in the light of thy countenance." Such have meat to eat that others know not of; to such the Aaronic  blessing is sure: "The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace" ­the peace of God, which passeth understanding.

All of the three temptations of Jesus, which He met and rejected without wavering, have come in principle to all of His followers during the Age, added to which they have also been tempted to sin. It is well to bear in mind that temptation is an appealing suggestion. Without appeal, there can be no temptation. Thus, the statement, "God cannot be tempted of evil" (James 1:13) -evil is distasteful to every pore of His Being; just the reverse of Satan, whose characterization as The Evil One is indicative of the full corruption of evil that pervades every pore of his being. Nor is it any ·sin to be tempted; sin enters only when we are "overcome of evil." Therefore, "be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12: 21) In all of their temptations, the fully faithful eventuate as "more than conquerors" -they gain the "crown of righteous­ness" which wins for them a throne. "He that overcometh shall sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne" (Rev. 3:21), is the sure promise of the fully faithful new creatures.

But the Scriptures are very clear that the new creatures who are measurably faithful, a "great multitude, "are not such overcomers; they will never gain a throne. At best, they will serve "before the throne" -the throne being the heritage of their fully faithful brethren. After they have "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7: 14) it will also 'be their privilege to become a kind of police force in the spiritual realm. And we believe it is sound and just observation that everyone of the Great Multitude leaders today has failed in at least two, and probably in all three, of those temptations which came especially upon Jesus -selfishness, error, worldliness -with the additional charge against some of them that they also fall under the fourth temptation, Sin. As the Epiphany Messenger has taught, Sectarianism is a great sin. During the Gospel Age Great Company leaders have built the sects in Big Babylon, and have perverted the Star Members’ teachings they embraced for their sects. The Great Company is one of the elect classes, but as a class they are not counted as overcomers of sectarianism and clericalism, even though they all must overcome their sins of teaching and practice as individuals if they receive the "palms" of victory. (Rev. 7:9) Thus, we offer St. Paul's counsel: "Exhort each other every day, while it is called Today, so that no one among you may be hardened by a delusion of sin." (Heb. 3:13, Dia.)

Another class of faithful overcomers are those who consecrate between the Ages, after the "door is shut" ,to the High Calling and before the full opening of the Millennium, that is, before the New Covenant is inaugurated, and opportunity to consecrate for restitution purposes is available. That Servant taught there would be such a class in the end of the Age when no more crowns would be available - a class that would be similar to the Ancient Worthies, and would receive a "better Resurrection" (Heb. 11:35) and be rewarded in partnership with the Ancient Worthies. He also saw in later years that they would be rewarded with spirit nature at the end of the Kingdom reign. The following respecting "Those Consecrating Between The Ages" is from That Servant's writings in the Sept. 1, 1915 Watch Tower, Reprint 5761:

"It is our thought that with the closing of the 'door' of this Gospel Age there will be no more begetting of the Holy Spirit to the spirit nature. Any afterward coming to God through consecration, before the inauguration of the restitution work, will be accepted by Him, not to the spirit plane of being, but to the earthly plane. Such would come in under the same conditions as the Ancient Worthies who were accepted of God. The Ancient Worthies came in, no call being opened to them -the High Calling not being yet open. But they freely gave themselves up to God without knowing what blessings their consecration would bring, except that they had the intimation that they would, in the future life, have a 'better resurrection' than would the remainder of the world.

"Our thought is that whoever under such conditions as these [during the time when sin and evil are in the ascendancy, such as in this our day] will make a full consecration to the Lord, to leave all to follow in His ways, and will live up faithfully, loyally, to that consecration, may be privileged to be counted as a similar class to those who preceded this Gospel Age. We know of no reason why the Lord would refuse to receive those who make a consecration after the close of the Gospel Age High Calling and before the full opening of the Millennium."

And it is reasonable to expect a God of Love, Justice, Wisdom and Power to reward such consecrators _above restitutionists -those who are faithful and obedient and walk a narrow way when sin and evil are in the ascendancy. The Epiphany Messenger accepted That Servant's teaching, and was privileged to bring out additional light and much convincing Scriptural support for such a class; and we also "continue in what we have learned and been assured of," and heartily believe that such consecrators between the Ages, after the "door is shut" and before opportunity for consecration for the non-elect, will, if faithful, be rewarded with the Ancient Worthies with a "better resurrection" and become "princes in all the earth." (Psa. 45:16)

Like the Ancient Worthies, the Youthful Worthies are on trial for faith and obedience, and not for life, but they will be tested and proved worthy if they achieve their goal, the visible rulers of the Kingdom, under the invisible Kings and Priests of God. (Rev. 20:6) "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 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. 15:24-26)

J. F. Rutherford taught in harmony with That Servant at the outset of his career, but later reversed himself. He later produced a class of his own imagination, calling them Jonadabs, which later became the "great Multitude."

We believe that all the Lord's people would be greatly benefited if they would take heed to That Servant's admonitions and warning in the February IS, 1912 Watch Tower, Reprint 4970:

"The Lord's followers are to note how these same temptations are the very ones by which the adversary assails them: (1) He would be their friend and helper and would thereby induce them to violate their covenant of sacrifice by requests for physical healing, physical blessings, which they have agreed to sacrifice. (2) He would suggest to them some wild, foolish way of capturing the world for God by some great exploits or prayer tests. (3) He would have them compromise with the world and its spirit and its methods of church federation and otherwise. We are to resist the adversary courageously that he may leave us permanently, seeing no hope of winning us."

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." (Eph. 6:13, 14, 24)

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim (Reprint No. 312, November 1981)

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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear and very esteemed Sister Emily Hoefle,

Your good letter has been received gratefully and with appreciation. And most especially we want to thank you for your support. We have printed four different pamphlets about present Truth and have already distributed thousands of them. We rejoice that people receive them with extraordinary interest. The district administration organized at one of the Sabbaths a walking tour to Emek Hashalom. 8,000 visitors came by and took thousands of pamphlets in one day.

But otherwise Israel stands in deeply exciting conditions. The Islam shows an abyss deep hatred. Now the fight rages about ancient Jerusalem at the root of the controversy, because it is the Holiest place and the city of the Grand King. The Hagar covenant-people want to destroy the Sarah-covenant people along with all its promise. There are apprehensions that if the outcome of the current Peace talks is without results, it will lead to a Mid-East war.

After Emek Hashalom became a significant factor in Israel, friends and officials concerned for the welfare of the settlement urged us to take the greatest caution and care. They have asked the newspapers to cease writing about Emek Hashalom and told us, "May God provide that you remain unrecognized by the enemies of Israel, otherwise, no power on earth could protect and guard you."

But inevitably it moves and drives towards the last decisions.  Great and many thanks for standing by us and mindfulness in fraternal care.  

Your devoted brethren from Israel by His Grace, ................ and ...........................

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IMPRESSIONS OF VISITORS TO EHEK HASHALOH -THE VALLEY OF PEACE

Members of the local government told us that they know about the good influence of Emek Hashalom to the thousands of visitors, and they wish that Hermann Bezner would be the spiritual leader of Israel.

Rabbis from all over the country have visited Emek Hashalom. A leading Rabbi has declared us God's ambassadors, who engaged in holy work. "God said through you things to the people which they do not come too hear from any other party." Others have expressed their envy at Hermann's living faith.

Many of the people acquainted with Emek Hashalom for a longer time consider Hermann as their prophet, because all the things he foretold on the ground of the Scriptures have become true.

Occasionally, youth leaders bring us special-education juveniles. The last group came yelling and jumping, but already during Brother Hermann's lecture a change in their conduct had become apparent. They left Emek Hashalom quite well-mannered.

The participants in the recently held Seminars Emek Hashalom have told us that the place radiates a spirit of love and warmth. "We admire the work that you perform here," they say.

When the Minister of Agriculture came to visit, Hermann had just returned from the field work with a broken scythe. The Minister took it, went to the tool shed and repaired it personally, and returned it to Hermann, saying: "Now it will hold until the Messiah comes."

The group leaders sincerely say that they made great efforts to bring groups from allover the country because Emek Hasbalom is an example for the spiritual way of life, and also a model for the future in the practical way of life with its agriculture and building work, according to the prophecy.

..........................

Dear Sister ................, Shalom through our Lord!

Thank you heartily for your good letter, which we received with much appreciation. It was again sheer joy to read about your Israel work, and that you succeeded in spite of fierce opposition. It was interesting to hear from you about the difficulties you had, because Brother Hermann had the same experience. As you put it, "When we started our work for Israel (1947) we met with strong opposition from most of our Bible Students. So it proved a lonely work over the years, as you and Brother Bezner also know. But in spite of the lack of interest and negative attitude of most Bible Students, the result of our lecture work about Israel, as related to God's Plan, proved to be phenomenal, reaching lovers of Israel in many countries."

Hermann himself had to pass through enormous difficulties. When he began his Israel work it looked like all the forces had united to hinder and prevent him from continuing the work of Brother Russell in Israel. But he overcame and conquered because he acted in the same devoted spirit as that of Brother Russell, the star of the Laodicea Period.

Brother Russell knew about the importance of the practical and actual building work in Israel. Therefore he visited the Holy Land twice (1891, 1909) and encouraged the young Zionist settlers, making friends with some leaders of the Zionist executive. Brother Hermann himself had already in the year 1918 when he was 18 years old the blessings of meeting with Bible Students in Heilbrom, Wurtenberg, in Germany.

He studied in a very intensive way the Studies in the Scriptures, and already at the age of 20 he was asked to serve the communities of brethren in Germany as a pilgrim. First the work that the Lord was laying out for him led Hermann through all the German cities, and he had the pleasure of meeting thousands of Brethren, as well as the privilege to found new communities.

When the Nazis grabbed the rule of the country, they forbade every activity. Hermann's twin brother was caught distributing literature of the Bible Students and he was imprisoned for one year in a work camp. Before his release when he refused to give up his beliefs, they had performed operations on him. Hermann was able to escape into Austria and continued to evangelize the truth there and in some other European countries.

When the Nazi regime overran Austria, and later parts of Europe, Hermann fled to Southern Austria and took refuge in a mountain farm, where he kept himself hidden until the end of the war, and prepared himself for Israel.

After the establishment of the State of Israel, which he had expected for many years, Hermann had only one wish: "to continue Brother Russell's work in Israel." After surmounting many obstacles, Hermann was able in the year 1962 to purchase a vast and stony piece of land in Israel. He established a small kibbutz and transformed the land with great diligence and assiduity to a blossoming garden. Soon after it had become known and famous, Israel press brought it to the attention of the Israeli public, entitling the farm "Emek Hashalom" meaning "the valley of Peace." Again and again it became the subject of newspaper articles and was covered extensively by local, as well as international media. The largest paper of Israel wrote that the Valley of Peace is a Paradise and the Pearl in the Israeli landscape.

Ten thousand visitors come every year to hear the message in the Valley of Peace. With great wisdom Brother Hermann solved the extremely complicated duty of bringing the good message to the people of Israel. In nearly three thousand addresses and speeches he proclaimed the very near arrival of the Messiah who will erect God's Kingdom and will bring the time of the restitution and fulfilling of all the Divine promises.

"Emek Hashalom" became known even in the Government. Important officials and members of the Government came to visit and expressed their admiration, saying that "Emek Hashalom" is a unique phenomenon in Israel. We even received further terrain in order to erect a pavilion to a capacity of holding the bigger groups of visitors, with the destination of becoming a unique teaching center in Israel.

Many of the visitors expressed that they received a deep feeling of freedom and peace at "Emek Hashalom," and they felt like it was in the days of Messiah and leave the place comforted, encouraged with new hope in their hearts. So Israel is opening up for the true message of the Lord. The message of the Nominal Churches, and denominations are being refused energetically as un-Biblical. What is forbidden for the denominations -for us the doors are being opened. It is the time that His Kingdom will be erected with Might and Glory. To Him be adulation and praise!

We greet all the brethren with you and stay heartily connected in the common faith.

Yours for Zion's sake, Brother .................... (ISRAEL)

P.S. -Hermann had the privilege to give a good witness to all assembled Bible Students at the Jerusalem convention. As a summary, Hermann expressed the hope that the convention will bring an inspiration for the necessary unity and better understanding toward Israel.

Many of the Brethren today do not understand the great responsibility that rests upon us (God's people) to do all that is possible for the People and the Land of Israel to contribute to the fulfillment of the prophecy. Not only to pray for Israel but also support the material need for the building up of the Land of Israel. The Prophet Samuel says that it is a sin not to pray for Israel and not to show Israel the good and the right way (1 Samuel 12:23).