No. 377
Comes once more the “remembrance” of our Lord’s death – this year 1987 the proper time being after 6 p.m. Friday, April 10. The method for determining the date is this: The moon nearest the Spring Equinox comes new at 2:46 p.m. March 29 at the 30th Meridian East (the Meridian nearest Jerusalem). This makes Nisan 1 begin at 6 p.m., March 28 Bible time, with Nisan 14 starting at 6 p.m. April 10. There still seems to be considerable misunderstanding about the correct time – even among those who have a reasonably good knowledge of the meaning of the bread and the wine – so we would stress once more that the condition of the moon on Nisan 14 is of no consequence, because that date is unchangeably stated in the Bible as the only date upon which the Passover is to be kept. Thus, once we come correctly to Nisan 1, the remainder is simply a matter of simple addition.
Some brethren are yet apparently confused about some of this calculation; they still believe the moon should be full for the Memorial. The moon represents Israel in this Passover ritual, and it is always substantially full by Nisan 14, but not always completely so; some years it misses by two or three days. When the moon begins to wane after reaching its fullness, it well represents the national and religious decline of Jewry – just as its coming to the full about Nisan 14 pictures forth the pinnacle of Divine favor that came to them through the ministry of Jesus at His First Advent. “That people dwelling in darkness, saw a great light; and to those inhabiting a region, even a shadow of death, a Light arose.” (Matt. 4:16, Dia.) Having had the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles available to us most of our lives, it is probably impossible to evaluate fully the dazzling splendor of the Truth they proclaimed to the Jews at that time; but we believe it is a proper appraisal to state that the presence of those teachings has been a great factor in the progress of those nations who have been most influenced by them. About one-sixth of the world’s population has produced most of the great inventions, both constructive and destructive; and this in turn has enabled them to dominate the affairs of the other five-sixths throughout this Age.
CONSIDER HIM
Inasmuch as the bread and the wine are a Memorial, a representation, of “Christ our Passover who is sacrificed for us,” it follows without argument that this time of year is especially appropriate to hark to the words of St. Paul: “Consider Him attentively who has endured such opposition from sinners, so that you may not be wearied, being discouraged in your souls. You did not yet resist to blood, contending against sin.” (Heb. 12:3,4¾Dia.) And, as we “consider Him,” it is very clear the Scriptures do not intend that we consider Him before His baptism at Jordan, because we know nothing whatever of His life from the age of twelve until He became thirty years old, the age in Israel when men were really concluded to be men. And, since all institutional types that begin on a specific date must continue until their antitype appears, and since Jesus was the antitypical bullock of the Day of Atonement sacrifice, we are forced to the conclusion that the day of His birth was on the tenth day of the seventh month, the month Tishri.
Thus, St. Paul makes the declaration, “He takes away the first that He may establish the second.” (Heb. 10:9, Dia.) And he clearly states in the verse following: “By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” The Apostle in this chapter is comparing the typical Atonement Day sacrifices with the antitypical – contrasting the inefficacy of those that must be offered year after year with the one that was offered “once for all” – the One enduring sacrifice – that need never be repeated. Therefore, by the offering of Himself, He did indeed take away the first (the Atonement Day bullock) that He might establish the second, which need never be repeated. This next prompts the explanation of the way He did this:
HIS NARROW WAY – This He explained at the very outset of His ministry: “Enter in through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate of destruction, and broad that way leading thither! and many are they who enter through it. How narrow (strait – tight, close, constricted) is the Gate of Life! how difficult that way leading thither! and how few are they who find it.” (Matt. 7:13,14—Dia.) And, “having left us an example that we should follow in His steps,” He could indeed state the rule of procedure to all who would accept His name: “If any one wish to come after Me (by voluntary choice), let him renounce himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matt. 16:24) It is well stated that the most difficult thing is to know thyself, and the easiest thing is to advise another; but in the foregoing statement Jesus was not only advising others, He was actually doing Himself what He had advised – and He continued to do it for 3½ years, from Jordan to Calvary.
During that 3½ years He was definitely a non-conformist. One of the main charges against Him was that “He stirreth up the people”; and there is no doubt that His faithful Disciples “followed in His steps.” Note the counsel of St. Paul in Rom. 12:2: “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” The Apostle was definitely out of step with those about him, which made him a very unpopular person. It has been well stated that the wise man adapts himself to his surroundings, but the fool tries to adapt his surroundings to him – and thus we progress. Paul told the Corinthians: “We are fools for Christ’s sake... we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; and labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off-scouring of all things as unto this day.” (1 Cor. 4:10-13) Here the Apostle leaves nothing to the imagination: He, too, was walking a “narrow way” – a straight way – a tight, close constricted way. Of Jesus Himself, it is written, “Of the people, there was none with Him.”
HIS BAPTISM – “Comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan, to be immersed by John (the Baptiser). But John refused Him, saying, ‘I have need to be immersed by Thee, and thou comest to me?’ But Jesus answering, said to him, ‘Permit it now; for thus it behooveth us to fulfill all righteousness.” Did Jesus’ immersion actually “fulfill all righteousness”? No, it certainly did not. It did so only figuratively. His immersion there did antitype the killing of the bullock on Atonement Day, but the antitypical burning of that bullock required the whole 3½ years of what Jesus did. “He poured out His soul unto death” – just as one might take a pitcher of water and slowly pour it out until all is gone. So also Jesus was slowly pouring out His soul (His very being) unto death for 3½ years. This is shown in a slightly different way when He took the cup, and said, “All of you drink all of it, for this is my blood of the covenant, that is poured out for many” – represented by the bullock’s blood taken into the Holy and sprinkled on and before the Mercy seat, and by the slow burning of the animal’s vital parts on the brazen altar in the Court of the Tabernacle.
Thus, the human death of Jesus, and His human righteousness worked out by His obedience are the actual fulfillment of all righteousness of justice – duty love to God and man. But it went beyond that: His walk from Jordan to Calvary – His narrow, strait (difficult) way – fulfilled the law of disinterested love toward God and man; He not only laid “down His life for His friends,” He did it for His enemies as well. “If I be lifted up, I shall draw all men unto Me.” By His immersion (baptism) in Jordan, and by His continuance in His “narrow way” to Calvary He did Indeed “fulfill all righteousness” in His humanity and in His new creature. “I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened (in difficulty) till it be accomplished!” (Luke 12:50) The Diaglott does indeed make this emphatic: “I have an immersion to undergo; and how am I pressed (in difficulty), till it may be consummated.” This was not looking back to His immersion at Jordan; It was a preview of His narrow way from that time until He eventually “poured out His soul” on the cross.
HIS STEADFASTNESS – His determination to continue in the narrow – strait (difficult) – way is forcefully expressed in Luke 9:51: “When the time was come that He should be received up, He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.” The central thought of this Scripture is to establish the perfect patience of our Lord, which grace He had in excellency of balance with all the other graces. The Biblical patience is an active grace, one of the seven chief graces, meaning the determination and ability to continue cheerfully and without abatement against any and all obstacles that might tend to detour Him from His narrow way. And this He did in perfection and unto a completion.
Especially did He do this with respect to the Truth. “To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the Truth” (Jn. 18:37); and the Berean Comment for this text says, “It was this ‘Good confession before Pontius Pilate’ that cost our Lord His life.” Thus it has been also with many of the martyrs during this Age – crucified, beheaded, thrown to the lions, strangled, burned, hanged, dismembered – as they bore witness to the Truth. And, as we “consider Him attentively,” we are forced to the conclusion that He was our “example” – to go and do likewise. And it is only to those who steadfastly do this – “faithful until death” – that the full laurels of victory will eventually come.
Jesus first studied the Truth. There is little doubt that He had memorized the entire Old Testament; and His study of the Scriptures that testified of Him so engrossed Him for the forty days after Jordan that He neither ate nor drank. St. Paul also retired into Arabia for three years (Gal. 1:17, 18) after his conversion that he might study and meditate on the best course for him to pursue as respects the “great light” that had come to him. The lesson here is clear enough for us: We should also first be properly informed before we attempt to minister “the good word of God” to others. Even in the distribution of free literature, That Servant always advised those who would distribute it should first read it themselves.
Jesus also practiced what He preached – perfectly – in thought, word and deed. St. Paul, and all others of similar inclination, also practiced what they preached imperfectly, of course, because of their faulty inheritance. Thirdly, Jesus, and all His faithful followers have spread the Truth to the best of their ability – often misunderstood, frequently misrepresented and their words twisted and often misquoted by the henchmen of Satan. But they kept steadfastly at it – “endured to the end” – through “glory and disgrace; through bad fame and good fame; as deceivers, and yet true; as grieving, but always rejoicing, as poor, but enriching many (by their ministry of the Truth); as having nothing, yet possessing all things.” (2 Cor. 6:8-10, Dia.) And the rules are still the same as they have been all during the Age: “He that endureth unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Some determined that “the end” would be in 1914; others determined that “the end” would be to 1954-56; but steadfast faithfulness to the Truth knows no date: “He that endureth unto the end, the same shall be saved.” And, as we consider Him – as we “do this in remembrance” – it is timely and proper that we determine anew, steadfastly determine anew, to “Be faithful to the Lord, the Truth, and the brethren” – to “preach the Word, in season, out of season.” Perhaps it is timely that we consider a few lines from the Poem:
When some great sorrow, like a mighty river,
Flows through your life with peace-destroying power,
And dearest things are swept from sight forever,
Say to your heart each trying hour:
“This, too, shall pass away.”
When ceaseless toil has hushed your song of gladness,
And you have grown almost too tired to pray,
Let this truth banish from your heart its sadness,
And ease the burdens of each trying day:
“This, too, shall pass away.”
When fortune smiles, and, full of mirth and pleasure,
The days are flitting by without a care,
Lest you should rest with only earthly treasure,
Let these few words their fullest import bear:
“This, too, shall pass away.”
When earnest labor brings you fame and glory,
And all earth’s noblest ones upon you smile,
Remember that life’s longest, grandest story
Fills but a moment in earth’s little while:
“This, too, shall pass away.”
HIS FAITHFULNESS – Faithfulness means full of faith – firm in adherence to promises, contracts, treaties, etc.: true in affection or allegiance; worthy of confidence and belief. Jesus was all of this in perfection as He pursued His narrow way. This was likewise true of St. Paul: “This one thing I do.... I even esteem all things to be a loss, on account of the excellency of the knowledge of the anointed Jesus my Lord (on whose account I suffered the loss of all things, and consider them to be vile refuse, so that I may gain Christ).... to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings (the understanding of and adherence to His narrow way).”—Phil. 3:8-13—Dia. “I came not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent Me,” said Jesus; and He truthfully stated also, “I delight to do thy will, 0 my God, Thy law is written in My heart.” Thus, He was always dead to self, but alive toward God; He always maintained the peace of God which passeth understanding – that “perfect peace” which was always His as He kept His mind “fixed” upon God the Father. (Isa. 26:3)
When we remember in all of this that Jesus “was touched with a feeling of our infirmities,” we must conclude that many of our appetites and desires were His also. Often we hear people say, I don’t care what others think of me! This assertion is fundamentally nonsense. In so many of the things we do – our mode of dress (usually fashioned measurably by the times in which we live), often our conduct, even sometimes in the things we eat – the opinion of others influences us. Certainly, there is no evil in wanting others to think well of us – so long as we do not compromise principle or domestic ethics to secure that good opinion. Even with “the beggarly elements,” their drinking bouts, their bawdy conversations, and the like, are often much influenced by their desire to impress others of their caste – to be admired of them for their bravado, etc. Thus, Jesus also would certainly wish the good opinion of others – without which He could have done very little. The fine robe He wore to the cross was a gracious gift from some one who had a good opinion of Him. Quite often the food He ate, the house He occupied, were the result of another’s good opinion of Him. Nor was there anything to criticize in this. However, in all of this, never once did He leave the narrow (strait, difficult way) in compromise to secure what He wanted. So also it should be with us.
None of His faithful followers have followed this course to the same degree of perfection that Jesus did. But some of them have been model examples for the rest of us. St. Paul had been one of those few “noble, rich, wise” – a brilliant lawyer, wealthy, of the social elite – who denied himself, took up his cross, to follow the Lord. Prior to that fateful trip to Damascus, he had cherished an insatiable hate toward the despised Christians – a real zealot bent upon their extinction. But once he saw the better way, he was equally determined to “endure unto the end” in his service of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19); and it is to his praise that he could eventually write to his beloved ‘son’ Timothy: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept (guarded) the faith (the Truth)” – fully faithful to the end, knowing as he wrote to Timothy, that in a few days the Romans would chop off his head. And similar praise may be given to many others – all of which should renew our determination as we “do this in remembrance” that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom.8:38, 39)
As the minute and detailed religious system was given to the Jews through Moses at Sinai and in the Tabernacle construction and subsequent service, so the Levites were also unconditionally and emphatically given to that service. It is said they were “wholly given” – not partially, but with all the heart, mind, soul and strength. As such, they typified the Gospel Age priests and Levites in their service to Gospel Age matters, all of whom are owned by God. Accordingly, unfaithfulness in any of their religious activities would be unfaithfulness to God, Who always requires an accounting for neglect or willful abstinence from those who have covenanted to serve Him. Accordingly, complete faithfulness on the part of the Levites during this Age would usually lead to promotion to the priesthood; and full faithfulness on the part of the male members of the priesthood would often lead to promotion to the office of “prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers” in His Body (Eph. 4:11-13), “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ.... unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
In His faithfulness, Jesus endured the cross “for the joy that was set before Him”; and we offer the following from Parousia Vol. 5, p.118 in elaboration of this statement:
“This joy before Him, we may reasonably suppose, was: (1) A joy to render a service which would be acceptable to the Father. (2) A joy to redeem mankind, and make possible their rescue from sin and death. (3) A joy in the thought that by the accomplishment of this redemption He would be accounted worthy of the Father to be the mighty ruler and blesser, King and Priest of the world; to reveal to the world a knowledge of the Divine Plan, and to lift up from sin to Divine grace whosoever would accept of the terms of the New Covenant. (4) A joy that the Father had promised Him; not only a return to spirit glory that He had with the Father before the world was, but a more excellent glory – to be exalted far above angels, principalities, powers, and every name that is named, and to be made an associate in the Kingdom of the Universe, next to the Father – on the right hand of the Majesty on high; and partaker of the Divine nature, with its inherent or immortal life.”
In an accommodated sense, the foregoing is also “the joy” set before all those during this Age who have “followed in His steps”; and it is our hope and prayer for all our readers that their preparation for, and participation in this year’s “remembrance” will be instrumental in increasing the joy set before them. As in previous years, we suggest to all the reading of the Passover chapter in Parousia Volume 6; and we shall be grateful for the report of your experiences therein.
In St. Paul’s words, “I desire that fruit may abound to your account, and that my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you all.” (Phil. 4:17, 19. 23)
Sincerely your Brother, John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim
(Reprint of March, 1969, No. 165)
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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST
QUESTION – The February 15, 1974 Watchtower says that "all Israel will be saved," in Romans 11:26 does not refer to natural Israel. Do you agree with that?
ANSWER ‑ We do not agree with that! Even a cursory look at Rom. 11:25, 26 should convince any novice that the Witnesses are in total blindness regarding the status of Israel: First of all, the Roman Epistle is written to "the invited ones" (1:6, Dia.) – that is, to spiritual Israel. Therefore, when he says to them in Rom. 11:25 that "hardness in some measure has happened to Israel," he is self‑evidently not referring to those to whom he is writing – that is, spiritual Israel – but to Israel after the flesh. Thus, his statement in 11:26, "all Israel will be saved," is also a reference to natural Israel. We refer our readers to Brother Russell's Berean Comments on these texts: "Happened to Israel – natural Israel, the whole twelve tribes – shall be saved – restored to favor, recovered from their blindness – from Jacob – The natural seed of Abraham first – Spiritual Israel is never called Jacob."
Of course, the Witnesses change their teachings from year to year as a chameleon changes its color from minute to minute. Shortly after That Servant's demise – and while they still retained some of the clear convincing Truth he presented – they published their book in 1925, "Comfort For The Jews," which is in full accord with the foregoing. If their claim is now correct that they are "Jehovah's Witnesses," just what should be said of them in 1925 – when they taught the exact opposite of what they now declare to be the Truth! They claim God's Kingdom has been operating through them since 1914; thus, considering their teachings in 1925 with their teachings in 1974 [and in 1987!], the Kingdom is truly a counterfeit of Babylon the Great – confusion in the extreme!
There are quite a few groups today who claim to be "all Israel," although the Jehovah's Witnesses and the LHMM are the main two emanating from the Harvest Truth who have revolutionized against That Servant's teaching regarding natural Israel. The Witnesses no longer believe that the Jews returning to their homeland is a proof that they are no longer under condemnation ‑ that their "double" is finished. To all who have "continued" in the Harvest Truth, the return of the Jews to their homeland confirms our faith in what "we have learned and been assured of." The LHMM has revolutionized against That Servant's teaching, although not nearly so much as have the Jehovah's Witnesses. They continue to teach that the Jews returning to Palestine is God's favor returning to natural Israel, but teach that the Jews will have to become Campers Consecrated if they are to receive their Scriptural promises ‑ "first and chief" place in the Kingdom. In other words, instead of the Campers becoming Jews, as That Servant teaches will be required of all Restitutionists, the Jews must become Campers Consecrated.
This is a gross revolution against the Harvest Truth, because That Servant taught, with Scriptural proof, that the Kingdom will be Israelitish, and that all would have to become Jews if they go up the Highway of Holiness. The New Covenant is made with the Jews ‑ not made with the Campers Consecrated! "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them ... After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Jer. 31:31‑33)
In this same Watchtower, they tell us that the "apostle Paul made it clear that the natural descendants of Abraham through his grandson Jacob were in line for being 'adopted' as sons of God." This is an unfortunate expression – because when the Jews were spirit‑begotten, they were not adopted, they were God's begotten children – and the same is true regarding the Gentiles when the door was opened for them. During the Kingdom, under the New Covenant, all who come into harmony with that covenant – become Jews – will be the children of Christ. He will be their Head.
The Law Covenant given to natural Israel was a perfect law, and required a perfect man's ability to comply with its rules and regulations – but so long as they made a sincere effort to comply with the Law, God's favor was with them. The Law Covenant did not require sacrifice of their natural rights, although there were some – the Ancient Worthies (Hebrews, Chapter 11) – who did sacrifice their natural rights to do God's will above that which was required by the Law Covenant. They were "Israelites indeed." The New Covenant will not require sacrifice either – but when He puts the Law in "their inward parts, and writes it in their hearts" they will be given the ability to obey that Law as they go up the Highway of Holiness. (Isa. 35:8) So God's favor was to natural Israel first during the Faith Age, and His favor will be to natural Israel first during the works Age.
The Jehovah's Witnesses do not exclude the individual Jews coming to them, although it is not likely that many, if any, Jews take advantage of their invitation – nor will the Jews who have been instructed in the Harvest Truth be likely to take advantage of the favor that the LHMM offers them to become Campers Consecrated to insure the blessings that God promised them. However, the LHMM does not condemn all Jews to annihilation if they do not join with them ‑ they only demote them to a secondary place in the Kingdom arrangement, if they don't become Campers Consecrated.
There are groups in Christendom who now teach they are "God's chosen people," and like the Jehovah's Witnesses, they do not offer the Jews much chance of survival if they do not join with them. Nor will the Jews be likely to join with them either, because they are prominent in their Hate‑Jew publications – publicizing all the uncomplimentary news they can of the Jews whom they believe to be the main cause of the "time of trouble" now upon the earth. However, there are some groups in Christendom who put the two groups emanating from the Harvest Truth to shame, in their sympathy and help to the Jews, believing they are God's chosen people. They do this, not having the knowledge of God's plan as was given to these two groups at the outset. As Brother Russell has said, all who aid and comfort the Jews will not fail of a reward – and we believe that is true of these groups who help the Jews, even though they don't understand the Plan of Salvation as do those who have continued in "Present Truth."
However, the Jehovah's Witnesses and the LHMM, as well as the other groups in Christendom described above, are not offering the "comfort of the Scriptures" to the Jews [the LHMM in their Present Truth magazine] ‑ rather they are perverting the Scriptures by applying these promises to themselves, or to a section of their respective groups: to the "great crowd" in the Jehovah's Witnesses, and to Campers Consecrated in the LHMM. Of course, this 'comfort' is to the faithful covenant‑keeping Jews, and not to the renegade Jews who are classified as Gentiles in God's sight.
There are quite a few of the Lord's people who received the Harvest Truth on the "Hopes and Prospects" of the Jews, who continue to uphold and defend the "faith once delivered unto the saints," but there are many of our brethren bewildered by their leaders into accepting the "pestilence that walketh in darkness (Psa. 91:6) – of this Epiphany night. It is for the purpose of helping these brethren that we continue to reassert and reaffirm the Harvest Truth on the Jewish promises, as well as on other doctrines we have received from that "Wise and Faithful Servant." (Reprint June, 1974)
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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST
Gentlemen:
I have received the copy of David Horowitz' book about PASTOR CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL, An Early American Christian Zionist, which you sent in care of Dr. Moses C. Crouse. We appreciate the gift and thank you very much.
I am sorry to report the death of Dr. Crouse. I am now serving as Curator of the Jenks collection on a part‑time basis in addition to my duties as Professor of History. Again, thanks for the book.
Sincerely, -------------(ILLINOIS)
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Dear Friends:
I have just found out about the book you offer about PASTOR CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL. I would like very much to order a copy of the book if they are still available. Also, I have had opportunity to read some of your mailings. If possible, I would like to be placed on your mailing list for these monthly papers. Also please inform me of other publications that you offer for sale. Thank you very much for your kind attention.
In His service, ------- (CANADA)
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Dear Sister Hoefle: Grace and peace!
Since writing you we have received your good letter and the six books about PASTOR RUSSELL and the Bulletins to go with the books. Four of these books have been passed on to the class.
We have been able to continue our fellowship with the class on most Sundays, and it has certainly been a blessing to us! The main study is with The Divine Plan of the Ages, and since we have reached "The Kingdoms of this World," there is opportunity to introduce some Epiphany features as they become appropriate. It still surprises us how well versed they have become in the Truth in such a comparatively short space of time. [This is a class of ex‑JWs] It is a pleasure to behold! Praise the Lord! The two brothers previously mentioned were there and all passed very well.
As to ourselves, we keep much the same, relying on the Lord to give us the needed health and strength to continue our activities. Betty's sister was with us for a short holiday last month, and then we had a few days with her at her house in London. This gave us an opportunity to meet Brother and Sister Bignell in their new bungalow. They have had their problems with moving, but we enjoyed our fellowship together.
Before I forget it, thanks for the papers which I have passed on to the class for them to enjoy, together with some of Brother Hoefle's circulars of 1956, as well for them to enjoy.
And now, dear Sister, we trust this finds you refreshed and strengthened and able to continue the good work for the Lord's glory. God bless you!
With Christian love, ------- (ENGLAND)
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Dear Emily,
Thank you so much for sending me your publications. I am especially impressed to see the strong support your movement espouses for the Jewish return to our land. Certainly events in recent history only serve to further prove that the Truths of the Biblical prophecies are eternal and not merely ancient folklore. Yet the masses seem to be, almost supernaturally, blind to the very obvious evidence placed before us. One of little faith is easily swayed by the very large numbers of eloquent doubters.
If there is anything that Judaism has proven to the world, time and time again, it is the irrelevance to apparent might and greatness in numbers. We, the smallest and weakest of nations, have not only survived 20 generations of every attempt mankind could devise to totally destroy us; but we have returned to our sacred soil despite the opposition of enemies who are far more numerous than we, and revived our ancient Hebrew tongue.
So those of us whose eyes are not blinded do not fear. We know what the future holds, if we have but the strength and patience to live by G‑d's Law in the face of any obstacles. There are Gentiles who perceive this fact which is only further proof that redemption is rapidly approaching.
My best to you and all with you. Blessings from Hebron, --------------(ISRAEL)
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Dear Mr. Horowitz:
Could you please inform me the cost of the book Pastor Charles Taze Russell, An Early American Christian Zionist? I should like to order a copy or perhaps several.
Respecting the anti‑Semitism discussed in Pastor Charles Russell (a copy of which I have examined) on the part of J. F. Rutherford, I wonder if you have seen a copy of my "Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses in which I discuss Rutherford's and the Watch Tower's Declaration of Facts which was distributed in Germany in 1933. Frankly, that Declaration was a shockingly anti‑Jewish document which tried to ingratiate Jehovah's Witnesses with the Nazis. If you should like copies of both the original English and German versions, please let me know. The Watch Tower has hidden its past so well and is so self‑righteous, I would like to expose them.
Sincerely yours, ----------- (CANADA)