NO. 405: THE THREE WORLDS – CONDITIONS AND PEOPLES – (Part Four)

by Epiphany Bible Students

No. 405

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

As explained in previous papers, the first world – “the world that was” – consisted of but one Age or Dispensation; the second world – “this present evil world” – has been comprised of three Ages: (1) the Patriarchal Age, (2) the Jewish Age, and (3) the Gospel or Christian Age. The latter is now rapidly drawing to a close, and will immediately be followed by a new order of affairs “wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13)

In Eph. 2:7 St. Paul speaks of “the Ages to come,” and the Bible reveals that the first of these will be the Millennial Age. The words Millennial and Millennium as such are not in the Bible, but the idea contained in those words is very clearly taught therein. Millennium is a Latin word – an adjective meaning thousand-yeared. In Latin it is combined with the noun regnum (kingdom). Therefore, the expression regnum millennium means thousand-yeared kingdom. The Latin adjective millennium has been accepted literally into English, but as a noun instead of an adjective – and refers to that period of time in which Christ and His Church will reign over the earth and mankind – the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth.”

This thought is clearly demonstrated in many Scriptures, such as 2 Tim. 4:1; James 2:5; Rev. 3:21, 11:15, 20:4-9. In Rev. 20:4 it is expressly stated that “they [the Church] lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” And Rev. 5:10 states, “We shall reign on the earth”; thus, the earth will have to be here for that thousand years if the Christ Company is to reign on it during that time. And Rev. 11:15 states further, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever [throughout the ‘Ages to come’].” The setting of this last text clearly shows that the setting up of this “reign” is to be preceded by much turmoil and violent disorder, after which time “He maketh the storm a calm.” (Psa. 107:29; Matt. 8:26) This Matthew text is a striking demonstration of how it will be then. That thousand-year reign is also described in the Bible as “the day of the Lord” – “the day of God” – “that day,” etc.; which infer the Millennium, because “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8; Psa. 90:4)

The Millennial Age immediately follows the last Age (The Gospel Age) of “this present evil world,” and is, therefore, the first Age or Dispensation of the “world to come,” and will be the first thousand years of the third world. It will be followed by the “Ages to come.” How many of such Ages there will be we do not know, because the Bible is silent on the matter; but we do know that the “world to come” will be endless; “Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation... world without end” (Isa. 45:17) – “He shall reign for the Ages of the Ages.” (Rev. 11:15, Dia.) Therefore, apart from the Millennial Age – the first Age of “the world to come” – we know almost nothing about the Third World, except that its many Ages will be completely devoid of evil with all beings in Heaven and on earth in harmony and peace with each other – “They shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” (Zeph. 3:13)

God’s revealed “Plan of the Ages” (Eph. 3:11, Dia.) covers the period of Creation in “the world that was” to the close of the Millennium (the “world to come”); therefore, it would profit us nothing to attempt to delve into that which has not been revealed. We are told in Rev. 20:12 that “another book was opened,” and it would seem from this that a third division of the Bible will be added to the Old and New Testaments, which will offer some enlightenment on a future that is now very dim to us.

We would be better occupied here to consider some of the workings of the Millennium as they are revealed to us now. Rev. 22:3 says that when the Throne of God is established in the earth “there shall be no more curse.” However, it is clearly stated in various Scriptures that presently we do experience the effects of the curse – the curse that was pronounced upon Adam as a result of his disobedience. (Gen. 3:16-19; Rom. 5: 12-21, 8:19, 20:22; 1 Cor. 15:21, 22) This curse affects mankind physically, mentally, morally and religiously. The imperfect conditions that now prevail in the earth have placed a great burden on man physically. As we see things today, the great majority of the human race is engaged in a vicious struggle just to keep alive – to have food, clothing and shelter sufficient for survival. It is axiomatic that man lives in hope, and dies in despair. Heat and cold, myriad of disease germs (it is stated that man is subject to about 2,000 different maladies), major calamities such as earthquakes, violent storms, etc., continually sap man’s vitality. Man’s inhumanity to man, coupled with “the darkness that covers the earth, and gross darkness the people” (Isa. 60:2) hangs over the human race like a black night without stars or moon. Over the centuries the hereditary effects of these evils have tended to make man weaker and shorter of years in life.

The imperfect condition of the earth (including fermentation, extremes of climate and very poor quality of air) has greatly dwarfed man’s mental powers. While there has been great dissemination of general knowledge during the past hundred years, we do not have any minds on earth today that would compare with men such as Moses, Solomon, Euclid, St. Augustine, Shakespeare, etc. The rigors of life have been so severe that man has been so forced to neglect his mental development that ignorance has been widespread; and it still continues so with the great majority – even in the more enlightened countries. Error, too – both secular and religious – has made inroads upon the intellect, so that many openly admit they do not know what to believe. St. Paul was acutely conscious of this: “Henceforth walk ye not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them.” (Eph. 4:17,18)

While the untamed earth has taken heavy toll upon man’s physical, mental and moral powers, it has been even worse on his religious perceptions. Many disregard religion entirely, which has caused atrophy in this the finest of his faculties. As we view the multifarious religious cults today – all of them contradicting each other in major doctrines in Christendom, and even worse in heathen lands – it would produce in us gross discouragement were it not for the grand promise that “In this mountain [His Millennial kingdom] the Lord will destroy the face of the covering cast over all people [the death process which collects its unrelenting toll from all], and the veil [of ignorance and superstition] that is spread over all nations.” (Isa. 25:7) This will be the overall grand result of the thousand-year reign just ahead of us.

That there is great need for relief from all of the foregoing all will agree, and many well-intentioned persons and organizations are making great effort to assuage the various evils that afflict mankind; but each century seems to make things worse instead of better, so that St. Paul describes this present time as “the evil day.” (Eph. 6:13) However, man’s effort to rid himself of the evils that afflict the race will continue in failure; his effort is a feeble attempt to lift himself up by his own bootstraps – an impossible thing. This was vividly demonstrated in the Jewish Age through failure to keep the Law; and it has been even more so in the Christian Era, despite the great enlightenment and spiritual blessings that Christianity has wrought.

But, what man has been unable to do for himself, the Millennial kingdom will accomplish when the prediction is realized: “We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned.” (Rev. 11:17) That power will remove the curse from the earth, and will restore Edenic conditions – perfect life in perfect surroundings. All error shall then vanish from the earth, and Truth will prevail in secular and religious matters. Death and the death process will be lifted. “The creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption.” (Rom. 8:21) “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. 21:4) “These words are true and faithful.” (Rev. 21:5)

False religions shall disappear under that reign; oppressive governments shall be eliminated; no more back-breaking labor to enrich the few and enslave the many. The Millennial reign will accomplish all of this in the centuries immediately ahead, and bring it to full conclusion by the year 2874. Self-evidently, these good operations will completely overthrow “this present evil world,” whose history since the flood has been filled with gruesome records of blood, cruelty and tears. “Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.” This has been pronouncedly true since “the time of the Gentiles” began in the Fall of 607 BC, and which continued for 2520 years to the Fall of 1914. “Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.” (Dan. 4:16) A “time” is a Jewish year of 360 days; and “seven times” would be 2520 literal days, or 2520 actual years.

Concurrent with the foregoing, Satan has “blinded the minds” of the many, so that “the whole world [Kosmos – present social order] lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19) He has concocted especially six great errors: Divine right of Kings, Divine right of the Clergy, Divine right of the Aristocracy, Consciousness of the Dead, Transformation of the Dead into spirits, and Eternal Torture in the Lake of Fire. Thus, “His kingdom was full of darkness” (Rev. 16:10), which has produced a “night of weeping” (Psa. 30:5); but joy of the Millennial morning will shortly dissipate all this.

RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS

The Apostle Peter says this Millennium will accomplish “the restitution of all things.” (Acts 3:21) Restitution means a return to an original state, which implies (1) an original state; (2) a leaving or a loss of that original state; and (3) a restoration to that original state. If man is to have Restitution, we are forced to three conclusions: (1) his primeval perfection in the image and likeness of God at his creation; (2) his fall through sin under the curse to his deficiencies as we see them today; and (3) his uplift out of present adverse conditions, and his restoration (Restitution) to his original state.

The Scriptures are very clear in substantiation of the foregoing. “God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Gen. 1:31) “As for God, His way is perfect.” (Psa. 18:30) As for man’s sinful condition, the evidence of it is everywhere about us. His relief from the present undone condition is the declared purpose of restitution, which is synonymous with the Millennial kingdom. One of the first steps in this matter will be to eliminate “the father of lies,” that is, the Devil (John 8:44), which in turn will allow free and fluid teaching and understanding of the Truth. “Satan bound for a thousand years [the Millennial kingdom]... that he should deceive the nations no more.” (Rev. 20:2,3)

The means of accomplishing this has already been provided by the sacrifice of Jesus – the giving of His life and life rights for Adam and his descendants. Jesus kept the Divine Law perfectly, which would have secured for Him the right to perfect existence, perfect environment (home, food, air, water, fellowship with God and man, with dominion over the earth, its atmosphere and creatures). In sacrificing all of these things through His death on the cross He was able to purchase the race in perfection as Adam had enjoyed these things in Eden. This purchase guarantees restoration – restitution – to all who wish to avail themselves of the opportunity.

By opportunity we mean faith and obedience to the Divine Law. Restitution will not be forced upon any one; it is a privilege, not a command, to be consummated gradually during the Millennium with all the assistance necessary to acquire it. Imperfect man at that time will be no more able to keep the Divine Law perfectly than he is able to do so now, but he will be aided in all proper ways to enable him to gain perfection. “An highway shall be there... The way of holiness... the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein... the ransomed of the Lord shall return... with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads.” (Isa. 35:8-10) This is described otherwise as the “New Covenant” in contrast with the old Law Covenant – “Saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.” (Jer. 31:31-33)

In “this present evil world” the sins of the parents have been visited upon the children. Thus, many are brought into this world under unbearable handicaps – through no fault of their own; but it will not be so in the Age just ahead. “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) Divine Truth will come freely to all, it will be “the leaves of the tree for the healing of the nations.” (Rev. 22:2) Thus mankind will be shown what to believe, what not to believe, what to do, what not to do – in secular and religious matters – “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:9) The cobwebs of error will be swept away, and the people will then desire to render obedience through the inherent reasonableness and inherent strength of the Lord’s Word.

The various Scriptures we have quoted herein witness with harmonious and powerful voice that the Millennium will bring to the living and the dead the privileges and blessings of restitution. “All that are in their graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.” (John 5:28,29) The first three chapters of Genesis treat of the original paradise (“The Lord planted a garden – paradise – eastward in Eden”), man in the image and likeness of God, their possession and loss. The last three chapters of Revelation tell of the image and likeness of God restored, the new paradise in “the world to come.” In between these six chapters the Bible is vocal with the grand message of restitution. The patriarchs spoke of, and hoped for it; the Mosaic Law prefigured it; the Biblical histories typed it; the Jews longed and prayed for it; the Apostles and their followers proclaimed it; Jesus by His death guaranteed it; and Jehovah by His oath unchangeably pledged it. When Jesus told the Apostles to pray “Thy kingdom come” it was not intended as a request for something then uncertain. It was rather a yearning petition for the arrival of something that was already irrevocably assured.

The clear truth on the foregoing was completely lost in the deluge of error that developed after the Apostles fell asleep – overruled by the Lord until the “due time” for its understanding. We have already mentioned that the Apostle Peter spoke of “the times of restitution” (Acts 3:21), and we now quote some from what the Apostle Paul has recorded about it: “I knew a man in Christ [Paul himself]... caught up to the third heaven.” (2 Cor. 12:2) This third heaven is the same one mentioned by the Apostle in 2 Peter 3:13: “new heavens and a new earth.” Paul then continues in 2 Cor. 12:4: “He was caught up into paradise [“God planted a garden – a paradise – eastward in Eden.”–Gen. 2:8] and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” The “paradise” which Paul saw was the restored earth; and, while he says he was not permitted to speak fluently about it, he was undoubtedly much illuminated by what he saw in that vision, giving great force, shading and depth to his writings.

TWENTY–ONE EVILS – TWENTY–ONE REMEDIES

It is our understanding that twenty-one evils are revealed in the Bible as afflicting the human race, and that God has provided twenty-one remedies – a cure for each of them – through the ministry of Jesus. Some of these cures have been operative since the Christian Age began; all of them will have been operative by the full end of the Millennial kingdom. By that time most of them will have accomplished their purposes, and will pass out of existence – although a few of Jesus’ titles will never terminate; they are eternal. We list the twenty-one evils, with brief comment on each of them as follows:

  1. Enslavement of the race under the curse unto death. The remedy for this as provided by Jesus is the Ransom.
  2. Law–condemned convicts. Jesus acts as Advocate for them.
  3. Destitution of righteousness (Isa. 64:6): “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness as filthy rags... our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” But, “Jesus is made unto us righteousness.” (1 Cor. 1:30)
  4. A selfish and worldly life. Jesus, as Bridegroom, shows us a “more excellent way.” (1 Cor. 12:31)
  5. Alienation between God and man. Jesus, as High Priest, forgives and blesses.
  6. Ignorance. Jesus “is made unto us wisdom.” (1 Cor. 1:30)
  7. Captives of Satan. Jesus is made unto us deliverance. (1 Cor. 1:30)
  8. Enmity of truth, righteousness and holiness. Jesus is “the Captain of our salvation.” (Heb. 2:10)
  9. Inability properly to think God’s thoughts, feel His affections and will His will. “The head of every man is Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:3)
  10. Distrust between God and man. Christ as Mediator will mediate these differences.
  11. Dying and death. Jesus is “the everlasting Father.” (Isa. 9:6)
  12. Lack of a perfect law and lawgiver. Jesus is the Perfect Lawgiver. “The law of the Lord is perfect... making wise the simple.” (Psa. 19:7)
  13. Worry and strife. Jesus is “The Prince of peace.” (Isa. 9:6)
  14. Unruliness. Jesus is King.
  15. Without knowledge of Divine Truth. Jesus is a Revealer and Teacher of the Truth. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psa. 32:8)
  16. Impracticability as to saving arrangements. Jesus will cure this as God’s Executive.
  17. Physical, mental, artistic, moral and religious sickness. Jesus the Physician: “Who forgiveth all shine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases.” (Psa. 103:3)
  18. Owned and controlled now by Satan. Jesus will be Lord. “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow... in heaven... in earth... Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Phil. 2:10, 11)
  19. Not able to stand before the judgment seat unaided. Jesus is our understanding and merciful lenient Judge. “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies.” (Psa. 103:4) “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” (John 5:22)
  20. Impurity. Jesus the Purifier and Refiner. “And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver [Truth]: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver.” (Mal. 3:3)
  21. Impoverishment. Jesus the Provider. “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19)

It will be noted that the foregoing 21 evils are all-inclusive of the afflictions that presently beset the human race; and that Jesus, “Who learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Heb. 5:8), is well-qualified and empowered to correct and fully cure all of them. And this He will do when He takes to Himself His great power and reigns throughout the Millennial Age – the first Age just ahead in “the world to come.” By the time that reign ends the death that “has passed upon all men” (Rom. 5:12) through Adam’s disobedience, and the dying process that has afflicted the human race for more than six thousand years, will have been fully destroyed and “there shall be no more curse.” (Rev. 22:3) Also, the “goats” in the parable that Jesus spoke in Matt. 25:31-46 will have gone into everlasting destruction – the Second Death, symbolized by the Lake of Fire; “they shall be as though they had not been.” (Obad. 16)

Then “the righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.” (Psa. 107:42) Sin shall never rise again. God will be glorified forever and ever by perfect creatures, both in heaven and on earth. “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” (Rev. 5:13) May this presentation prove a rich blessing to all our readers!

Sincerely your brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim (Reprint No. 251, May 1976)

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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST

QUESTION: – The Jehovah’s Witnesses make mistakes, so did Pastor Russell. Why do you uphold Pastor Russell and refuse the advancing truth of the Witnesses?

ANSWER: – We uphold Pastor Russell’s teaching because he had Scriptural proof for all he taught on the Plan of Salvation for all mankind. The Witnesses teach that only those who Join them will have a resurrection in the Kingdom. They teach this with no Scriptural basis. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:22) Those who refuse to Join the Witnesses will receive a resurrection in the Kingdom, as the Witnesses themselves will be resurrected in the Kingdom.

“Behold an hour comes in which all those in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come forth; those having done good things, to a resurrection of life; and those that have done evil things, to a resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28, 29, Dia.) “There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both the Just and the unjust.” (Acts 24:15) The unjust and the evil will be resurrected in the Kingdom to judgment. “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained.” (Acts 17:31)

God “will have all men to be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4) By the resurrection the world will be saved from the Adamic Death. The world dies because of Adam’s transgression, but in the Kingdom those who refuse to love righteousness and hate iniquity will die for their own sins. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life.” (Rom. 6:23) Those who learn to love righteousness and hate iniquity will receive from God the gift of eternal life.

The Truth – God’s Word – is generous with the unbelievers and the errorists, but the Witnesses predict DOOM for the unbelievers of their teaching. The earth today is polluted with error, but in His Kingdom the “earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:9) “When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa. 26:9) The world is learning error and unrighteousness in this “evil day.” (Eph. 6:13)

The Witnesses teach that the inhabitants of the world – the unbelievers of their teachings – who don’t join them will not receive a resurrection. God repudiates that teaching: “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Rom. 11:32,33)

The Witnesses are separating the Sheep and the Goats of Matt. 25:31-46; and by doing so they are saying “My Lord Delayeth” (Matt. 24:48) and we will set up a kingdom of our own, just as the Papacy did in the Dark Ages. The Lord will separate the Sheep and the Goats in His Kingdom (Acts 17:31) when He will turn over to the people a “Pure Language” (Zeph. 3:9) – a language all will understand. The Goats who do not learn to love righteousness will be sentenced to “everlasting punishment” – the Second Death (Rev. 20:13,14) – and the Sheep to “life eternal.” (Matt. 25:46)

The Goats of the Witnesses are those that refuse to accept them, and they sentence the Goats to die the Second Death in Armageddon. The Sheep are their devotees. The Witnesses reward their Sheep with “everlasting life,” although we know from God’s inspired Word that the Lord will test all the Sheep and the Goats in the Little Season.

The Witnesses are the largest group emanating from Pastor Russell. They boast of their numbers as their strength, but their numbers are their weakness. The Catholics and the Protestants both have larger numbers than all the Truth groups and the Jehovah’s Witnesses together. The Lord intimated by His question in Luke 18:8 that the truth would be very scarce in our day, which indeed it is! Despite their numbers, and probably because of it, “the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.” (Psa. 2:4,5)

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” (2 Cor. 4:4) In our day the minds of the people are being blinded more then they ever were, but according to the Witnesses these “blind people” will have to join them to get salvation. We cannot accept the Witnesses so-called advancing truth, because it is “advancing error.” All advancing truth must harmonize with former truth – not set it aside. “Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” (2 Tim. 3:14) “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) Some are “Ever learning [error], and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 3:7)

Chapter 35 of Isaiah is a beautiful picture of the Kingdom. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.” (v. 5) For the benefit of the Witnesses who surely must grieve when they believe their relatives and good friends who refuse to join them will not be resurrected, we quote: “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.” (v. 4)

Yes, Pastor Russell made mistakes in his expectations of the length of the Time of Trouble (Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21) and the time for the inauguration of the Kingdom. He had no Scripture to support his expectations, and they did not mature. However, he gave us the truth on the two salvations, the Great Salvation (Heb. 2:3) and the Common Salvation (Jude 3) – Election and Free Grace. The elective salvation is for the Faith Age, and Free Grace will operate during the Kingdom. The world will receive Free Grace in their resurrection, for they will be without any merit of their own.

Pastor Russell never claimed to be perfect or inspired as were the Apostles. But he gave us the truth as no man has done since the days of the Apostles. It was because it was God’s “due time” for these truths to be revealed. God has a set time for all His events. “When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son... to redeem them that were under the Law.” (Gal. 4:4,5) God’s appointment of Pastor Russell as That Wise and Faithful Servant of Matt. 24:45-47 was not because of his brilliance, but rather because of his faithfulness. He found him “so doing.” (Matt. 24:46) All God’s Messengers during the Gospel Age were imperfect men. However, the faithful Reformers gave us the Truth due in their day, although they retained some of the errors of the Dark Ages.

“The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.” (Prov. 22:12) “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psa. 107:31) “Whoso is wise, and shall observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord.” (Psa. 107:43)

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LETTER OF GENERAL INTEREST

Dear Epiphany Bible Students Ass’n:

Greetings! Thank you for your letter of July 31 ... Your papers have some information on JWs which interest me ... I like knowing about different Bible Student groups. For example, in PASTOR CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL book, p. 65 interested me to read the new information about Anton Koerber instituting a legal suit to recover some $25,000 loaned to ‘Judge’ Rutherford. This adds to the information that I have read ...

Another experience which caused me to question that the Watchtower Society was God’s organization relates to Anton Koerber. I can still remember my father talking to him after the Washington, D.C. convention in 1935. Koerber was in charge of the sound equipment at the convention, and for some reason had a falling out with ‘Judge’ Rutherford. When Anton returned to Bethel, he found that he had been put out of the building and excommunicated ... He went back into real estate and was very successful, amassing a fortune. Up to 1952, all I heard of him was bad. He was a man who was an unfaithful servant, who went against God’s theocratic organization, and was disfellowshiped as a result.

In 1952 Anton Koerber contacted the Society and told those in authority that he wanted to become a full-time pioneer. His initial request was rejected because of his rebellion in the past. He next appeared at Bethel and I was told by T. J. Sullivan that I should go down to the eighth-floor lobby and make it clear to him that he could not be a pioneer. I went to meet Mr. Koerber and found an elderly man who was not well. He asked me if he could be appointed a pioneer. I told him again that it was impossible because of his past history, and suggested, “You know Anton, if you really love Jehovah you should serve Him for as many hours as you can without the title. You are merely being denied the title but not the privilege of service.” He was not satisfied with this answer, and indicated that he would pursue the matter further. As he shook my hand, he left a ten-dollar bill in it.

I reported back to T. J. Sullivan that Anton was not satisfied with my answer and stated that I wished that someone else would talk with him. So A. H. Macmillan was sent to convey the same message. I sat in on the session ... It was a thorough “chewing out”: Koerber was told that he was a selfish man who only wanted a title and that he would not get one. If he wanted to do something, he could be a congregational publisher. Macmillan was much more severe than I had been.

A day or two later when I went to the Bethel dining hall for dinner, I was dumbfounded, for there in the seat next to N. H. Knorr, as his guest, was Anton Koerber. I left the room after the meal almost not believing what I had seen. I went into the lobby and Koerber called me over and pointed out the window, and said: “See that Cadillac across the street – I gave that to Knorr, and he can have another anytime he wants one.” President Knorr was surrounded by sycophants. Some years later when I spoke of this experience to Russell Pollock, he related how Koerber had approached the Dawn Bible Students in 1951 shortly before his contact with the Watchtower Society. The information was presented in a letter from Pollock dated November 15, 1971: ... Anton Koerber sent The Dawn a check for $2,000 and asked to have a conference with the trustees of the Dawn. We had the meeting with him at our General Convention in 1951. He offered money to the Dawn if they would establish an organization similar in structure to that of Jehovah’s Witnesses. That is, to be controlled from a central headquarters.

This discussion continued at various times by telephone from his home in Florida. We, of course, could not accept his terms of cooperation. As Bill stated: “The ‘evil servant’ refused his bribe but the ‘faithful and wise’ accepted it.” The foregoing is true and can be verified.

But the conclusion of his account is even more significant. Anton Koerber, who had been turned down as a pioneer, a relatively insignificant position, was made a circuit servant, a position normally selected from the ranks of faithful pioneers! In 1953 he was made a chairman of the international convention at Yankee Stadium. N. H. Knorr practiced Simony!

Dear Emily, you say, “I am sorry that I told you about our expenses. You can destroy it [which I have], as we are not charging you anything – our papers are free.” But the EBSA must pay for printing and postage. My draft ... was sent to the EBSA to cover literature and postage. It’s a contribution or gift ... PLEASE accept it. Thank you for your time and good health to you.

In the Savior Lord Jesus Christ who saved me. ------- (AUSTRALIA)

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