No. 140
My dear Brethren: Grace and peace through our Beloved Master!
In the Watch Tower of October 15, 1966 (pages 613-626) The Jehovah’s Witnesses present an article entitled What Has God’s Kingdom Been Doing Since 1914; and we ourselves being intimately familiar with the events that have occurred since that date, we believe our readers will welcome an analysis – a presentation of Fact against Fiction. In their treatise the Witnesses stress the year 1914 as the time for the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth – with themselves as the earthly visible representatives of that Kingdom. That 1914 is a very marked date in human history needs no argument; nor is any argument necessary for informed Bible students that that year is also clearly set forth in Old and New Testament prophecy. Clearly enough, then, we have no objection to the date itself; it is then only with the events that occurred in 1914 – and since – and their Biblical and secular significance that we part company with the Witnesses’ expressions.
Let us first consider Mal. 4:5,6: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And He shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” These are the last words of Old Testament Holy Writ; and for the centuries that have intervened the Jews have given a literal interpretation to the prophecy – so much so that many of them to this day have a vacant chair at their Passover table each year, for the use of Elijah – just in case he should make unexpected appearance. But a critical examination of Matt. 11:14 will reveal clearly enough that Jesus interpreted Elijah as a type of the Gospel–Age Christ Company, which, coupled with the Malachi text, sets him forth as a type with specific purpose – namely, Elijah prefigured the Gospel–Age Church in its endeavors to reform “this present evil world” – to reform the irreformable – which task has never yet been accomplished.
In discussing John the Baptist, and his status, Jesus had said of him: “If ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was to come.” The American Revised Version gives the text like this: “This (one, John the Baptist) is (represents) Elijah that is (literally, the one being about) to come.” And what John did then on a small scale for Israel in preparing “the way of the Lord” for Israel makes him an antitype of Elijah. Note now Matt. 17:12,13: “Elias is come already, and they knew him not .... Likewise shall also the Son of Man suffer of them. Then the Disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist.” And, since John antityped Elijah announcing Jesus at His first Advent, so the Gospel–Age Church would antitype Elijah in much greater degree in announcing Jesus at His second Advent in power and great glory.
Jesus having so clearly marked Elijah as a type, we are now justified in studying the events in Elijah’s life for helpful information concerning the antitype. In 1 Kgs. 19:8 it is stated that “he did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the Mount of God.” In Heb. 12:18-29 St. Paul very clearly declares that Horeb (or Sinai) was a type of that greater mountain (kingdom), which would be the answer to the prayer: “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is In Heaven.” And Elijah’s going “forty days” in the strength of the food he received would antitype the Greater Elijah (the Gospel-Age Church) going forty antitypical days (or forty years) from 1874 to 1914 – when, for the first time in Gospel-Age history “the stone cut out of the mountain without hands” (Dan. 2:45) was collectively and individually sufficiently complete to begin to “break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms.” The end of the Gentile Times had been reached, and their eviction was then immediately begun. This is in exact harmony with Brother Russell’s teaching on the subject.
SINCE 1914 – A SECOND COUNTERFEIT KINGDOM
The foregoing is probably not too much at variance with what the Witnesses themselves believe of the situation up to 1914; but we shall now examine some of the happenings since that time. One of the first major undertakings of the Witnesses after the death of Pastor Russell in October 1916 was the publication in 1917 of Volume 7 of Studies in the Scriptures – under the name of the International Bible Students Ass’n., Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, as they were then known. That Volume 7 was also titled “The Finished Mystery,” was hailed as the seventh vial fulfillment of Rev. 16:17; and certain statements in that book concerning patriotism, etc., were construed by the United States Government as a decided interference with their prosecution of the war against the Central Powers, resulting in eight of the organization’s leaders being sent to Atlanta Penitentiary in 1918 (from which they were subsequently pardoned in 1919).
Shortly after their release from durance vile, a sharp and widespread controversy arose among the former adherents of Brother Russell over the chronology which he had produced from the Scriptures; and the leaders of the Society made valiant, correct and commendable defense against those who were attempting to find the chronology wrong by some nineteen years. Both Volume 7 and the chronology were made tests of fellowship; and an extensive division resulted. Many were disfellowshiped because they could not accept the multitudinous errors in Volume 7, and others were disfellowshiped because they wished to reject the true chronology as given by Brother Russell. But it was only a few years until the Witnesses themselves forsook the true chronology, and rejected their own Volume 7 – so much so with the latter that it is now ‘Index Expurgatorious’ to their own members. This poses a timely question: If Volume 7 is wrong now, was it not equally wrong in 1917 when the uproar occurred concerning it? And, if they have been the visible Kingdom of God on earth since 1914, what explanation do they now offer for such a colossal blunder on the part of the Lord? “God is not the author of confusion.” Furthermore, if the chronology was right fifty years ago, it should still be right. Mathematical calculations are the same – yesterday, today and forever!
SATAN CAST OUT OF HEAVEN
The article under discussion also proceeds to say that in 1914 Satan was cast out of Heaven, and “his angels were hurled down with him.” The account of the angels that sinned is discussed by the Apostle Peter, and we now quote it from Wilson’s Emphatic Diaglott translation (2 Pet. 2:4–6): “God did not spare the angels who sinned, but having confined them in Tartarus (translated ‘hell’ in the King James version – from the Greek Tartaroo, meaning the thick murky atmosphere about this earth) with chains of thick darkness, delivered them over into custody for judgment; and did not spare the Old World, but kept in safety Noah, the eighth, a Herald of righteousness, bringing a deluge on a world of impious men; and condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, reducing them to ashes, making them an example for the impious hereafter.” It should be noted that all of this text is stated in the past tense – that it is a chronological narrative, giving the events in order of time. Thus, the first one mentioned is “the angels who sinned”; the second, the “deluge on a world of impious men”; and third, and final, Sodom and Gomorrah. Surely, this is clear evidence that the “angels who sinned” had been cast down to Tartaroo (confined to the atmosphere of this earth) even before the flood destroyed the “world that was.”
Further corroboration of Scriptural fact against the Witnesses’ Fiction is to be found in the performance of Jesus and the Apostles on numerous occasion casting out demons – evil spirits – fallen angels –– Satan’s partners in the master crime of all Ages. Just a few such citations are: Matt. 4:24, 8:16; Mark 3:22; Luke 4:41, 10:17; Acts 5:16, 16:16–18, 19:12, etc. Also, the words of Jesus, Luke 10:17,18 (Dia.): “The seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us by thy name. And He said to them, I saw the Adversary falling from Heaven like lightening.” Certainly, this is a clear statement by the Lord Himself that Satan had been cast out of Heaven before this Gospel Age had even begun. Also, 1 Pet. 5:8 (Dia.): “Your opponent, the enemy (Satan), like a roaring lion, is walking about, seeking to devour.” Who are the “Your” in this text? We answer, they are the people to whom St. Peter addressed his letter – “To the sojourners of the dispersion, of Pontus, Galatia,” etc. It needs no argument that those Jewish “sojourners of the dispersion” were people here on earth, so it would be interesting to hear from the Witnesses how Satan walking about in Heaven could devour human beings here on earth. Or is this just some more of their fiction against fact?
But perhaps the most compelling of all argument against their fiction is our Lord’s prayer: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.” Would any of us be foolish enough to contend that God’s will was being done in Heaven if Satan and his horde of hoodlums had been there “as a roaring lion,” seeking to devour? Yet the Witnesses now make great claim that their proclamation of these errors – this fiction – is the expression of God’s Kingdom on earth since 1914! And in all this they have been casting aside one truth after another since 1914 – truths for which they stoutly contended at least through 1916. Not only so, but they have been changing their own teachings with great rapidity year after year in distressing confusion – although the Scripture is very emphatic that “God is not the author of confusion” – that when His Kingdom is actually established on earth “the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.” (Isa. 35:8) In spite of this clear promise, however, we believe it is a fair appraisal that the large majority of the Witnesses’ devoted, dedicated adherents do not now have a clear understanding even of what they themselves should believe, one strong reason for this being that, as one of their prominent officials, their vice–president, put it some years ago: “We don’t believe this year what we did last year, and we probably won’t be believing next year what we believe this year.” Can such bedlam possibly be the “desire of all nations” which is promised to come when God’s Kingdom really begins to operate here on earth?
At this point it is in order also to call attention to another very radical change they have made in their teachings since they have been the “representatives of God’s Kingdom,” so we quote from Page 134 of The Finished Mystery:
“Instead of teaching that the saved of our race will all be saved to the same thing, the Scriptures show two degrees of kinds of Heavenly salvation (which is correct, and is exactly as Pastor Russell taught it—JJH).... the Little Flock, who are to sit down with Christ in His Throne; the Great Company who are to stand before the Throne, having the palms of martyrdom but without the crowns of glory.”
At present the Witnesses have made their “Great Company” of Rev. 7:9 a “large multitude” of human beings – their present dedicated devotees, who are to live right on through Armageddon and continue to live forever right here on earth – a complete reversal of what they received from Brother Russell, and which they enthusiastically taught some fifty years ago – after 1914; so our readers may determine for themselves which is fact and which is fiction in this extreme change they have made.
COMFORT FOR THE JEWS
Another complete reversal is their present teaching on the re–gathered Jews in Palestine to what it was forty years ago. In 1925 their then President J. F. Rutherford produced a new book – COMFORT FOR THE JEWS – and here is some of the comment to be found on the Frontispiece:
“JUDGE RUTHERFORD, known throughout the world as a friend of the Hebrew people, is vigorously supporting the claim of the Jews to the Holy Land... His lectures to large audiences, which have been broadcast throughout the world, on ‘JEWS RETURNING TO PALESTINE,’ have created an intense interest. This Volume is the first unbiased presentation of the subject from the Scriptural viewpoint published.”
Then on the next page is quoted Psa. 122:6: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee.” All of this is correctly based upon the clear Scriptural declaration (Isa. 2:3), “Out of Zion (the Glorified Messiah and His Elect Bride, who are the primary seed of Abraham, who are to bless all nations—Gal. 3:8) shall go forth the Law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” – which city will contain the true earthly ‘princes’ (rulers – representatives) of the Kingdom. All of this is now categorically denied in the Watch Tower of October 15, 1966:
“The earthly Jerusalem has nothing to do with it,” they say; “Since Jesus was put to death on Calvary outside the walls of Jerusalem in the year 33 C.E. that city has no connection with God’s Messianic kingdom.”
After correctly discussing the dispersion and the terrible afflictions of the Jews all during this Gospel Age, the Judge then proceeds to say on p. 45 (also correctly): “But is Israel cast off forever? The answer is No indeed. Mark the statement made by the Lord to Ezekiel at the time of pronouncing the final decree against them. It is: ‘I will overturn, overturn, overturn it; and it shall be no more until He come whose right it is; and I will give it Him’—Eze. 21:27 (emphasis by the Judge). The mere fact that the Lord said He would overturn it until a set tine, is conclusive proof that it is God’s purpose to restore Israel to His favor upon certain conditions. But when? The answer is, With the coming of Shiloh, the Messiah, to whom shall the gathering of the people be, as promised in Gen. 49:10. Then He of whom Moses was a type shall come into His own....That will mark the time when the favor of God may be expected to return to Israel.”
This clear and emphatic statement by the Judge is indeed the truth, and the Witnesses believed it to be the truth forty years ago; but THEY DON’T BELIEVE IT NOW – although they claimed to be witnessing to God’s Kingdom then, just as they claim to be doing so now. Thus, again the question: Were they teaching fiction then, or – are they teaching fiction now? To help our readers to arrive at the correct answer to this question, we now quote Zech. 14:1–3: “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh (the times of restitution spoken by the mouth of all the Holy Prophets—Acts 3:19–23), and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations (Gog and Magog, the hosts of merciless plunderers of re–gathered Israel) against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle” – as He did for Joshua against the Amelekite kings at Gibeon (Josh. 10:1–14) as he fought for David against the Philistines at Baal-Perazim (2 Sam. 5:17–21), and as He miraculously delivered Israel from the hosts of Midian by Gideon and his band of 300 men, the Midianites and the Amalakites being “like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels without number, as the sand by the seaside for multitude” (Judges 7:1–25). This miraculous help is to come to the Jews at Jerusalem in “the day of the Lord” (just before the real Mediatorial Kingdom is established at Jerusalem), clearly testifying that this delivery from their enemies is an event yet in the future.
A BRIEF RESUMÉ
In the foregoing pages we have detailed only a few of the major reversals of teaching by the Witnesses over the past forty years. If we attempted to analyze all of their variations, it would probably require a good–sized book. Clearly enough, a great part of their “witnessing” could be nothing less than fiction either then, or now – because they now teach just the reverse of what they did a few years back. For the benefit of our readers, we now offer some Scriptures which will help determine if their present–day witnessing is fact or fiction: “When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness” (Isa. 26:9). Have the inhabitants of the earth really been learning righteousness by this somersaulting change in teachings with each succeeding year? “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my Holy Mountain (Kingdom): for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:9). Which shall we consider “the knowledge of the Lord” – what the Witnesses gave us forty years ago, or what they are giving us now? And have men ceased to “hurt or destroy” as a result of their “knowledge,” or do we not see more hurting and destroying than ever before in human history?
All of this performance by the Witnesses is an identical twin to the Papacy claims during their false “kingdom” from 799 to 1799, when they also went from one error into another, freely excommunicating the ‘heretics’ who did not agree with them – just as the Witnesses also now do. And, as they now claim to be separating the Sheep from the Goats, so Papacy also claimed to be separating the saved from the damned – then, the same as now, offering false promises to the ‘faithful,’ and decreeing false punishments to the ‘unfaithful.’ And, also like the Papacy, they have been guilty of drastic mistranslation of Scriptures to make them fit their present contentions.
Let us emphasize the very close similarity of the first counterfeit Kingdom of the Papacy in 799–1799 to the second counterfeit now being preached by the Witnesses. Said the Papacy, If you do not accept us, you are lost in eternal torment. Say the Witnesses, If you do not accept us, you are lost in unending death. Said the Papacy, We are the Vicar of Christ on earth, the infallible repository of God’s Word – no salvation outside of our domain. Say the Witnesses, We are the visible representatives of God’s Kingdom on earth since 1914, no salvation outside of us and the teachings we offer. And in both counterfeit kingdoms the teachings were repeatedly changed – diametrically contradicting previously–held beliefs, yet loudly proclaiming themselves to be the Mouthpiece of God on earth, while shouting anathema at all dissidents, excommunications for so much as a question against what comes from the “Channel.”
As That Servant has so aptly said, “When the Truth comes into conflict with error, when the Sword of the Spirit, wielded by some of the Lord’s simple followers, proves mighty in the overthrow of error – when the light of Present Truth, and the clearness in which it is presented, and the beauty in which it can be seen and appreciated, is contrasted with the error, the result is either that the Truth is seen in its beauty, or the erring one opposing it becomes more densely blinded than before.”
And it is a very pleasant observation that the Truth always deals much more generously with the errorists than do the errorists with those who have the Truth. During Brother Russell’s ministry the preachers of error all over Christendom were consigning him to “the hottest corner in Hell” – all the while he himself was allowing for them the “Gospel (good news) of the Kingdom” under the benign mediatorial reign of the Christ. Likewise, the Scribes and the Pharisees were labeling Jesus as an emissary of “Beelzebub,” as He Himself was predicting for them that they would “see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God” (Luke 13:28). So also the Papacy – during their counterfeit kingdom – not only sentenced the “heretics” to eternal torment, but actually started the torment for many of them by splitting their noses, pouring molten lead into their ears, tearing them apart limb from limb on the rack, while the recipients of their heinous torture were praying peace and forgiveness for their tormentors. In similar manner, the Witnesses now consign to everlasting extinction those who reject their errors – although those of us who have the Truth allow for the deluded devotees of their “kingdom” a full opportunity to imbibe the “knowledge of the Lord” (the Truth) under benign real Kingdom conditions. Recently one of the Witnesses called at our residence, while we were absent, with intent to berate us. At the end of a courteous hearing, he said of us as he left the house, “He’s a dead man!” It is indeed a sad commentary that the tendency of errorists always seems to be to heap imprecations, excommunications (“make fire come down from Heaven in the sight of men”—Rev. 13:13) and revilings upon those who expose their errors – even while those with the Truth make generous allowance for those in error. All of the Heathen Gods are cruel Gods, as can be seen from their hideous portrayal on the totem poles and other idol constructions.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim Pastor Russell as their founder, but this is what he says about the true Kingdom in the very year of 1914 – a most forceful contradiction to their present claim that the appearance of their organization constitutes the visible Kingdom on earth:
“The Ancient Worthies (not their earthly organization!—JJH) will be the earthly representatives of the Messianic Kingdom (See the 11th chapter of Hebrews for a list of the names of some of these faithful Ancients—JJH). The Christ, however, will be the great Teacher in glory, from whom all instruction will come through these earthly representatives. As people begin to get the true, the real knowledge about the glorious character of God, they will begin to see how inferior they are. Then (when “Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets, are in the Kingdom” – in Jerusalem – Luke 13:28—JJH) they will be in condition to receive instruction.” (Reprints 5583, Dec. 1, 1914) (The prophets were “holy men of God”—2 Pet. 1:21 –, so they will be “in the Kingdom.”—JJH)
CONCERNING ARMAGEDDON
The Witnesses’ promise to their dedicated “Large Multitude” of life eternal through Armageddon and on through the Ages to come is also some more of their fiction is also a complete reversal of their past teachings. We quote now from Page 3 of the Publisher’s Preface of The Finished Mystery:
“In the light of Divine Prophecy, now being daily fulfilled and made clear to ‘the watchers,’ the following from the pen of Pastor Russell is further proof that he was sent of God to this generation. Long years before the beginning of the trouble now upon the nations he wrote:
‘The four exhibitions of the Lord, given to Elijah, represent, we believe, four manifestations in which the Lord is about to reveal Himself to mankind, the first three of which will prepare men for the final one, in which will come the desired blessing to all the families of the earth. These are:
(1) The mighty winds rending the very rocks. Blowing winds seem to be used in Scripture for wars....
(2) An earthquake. Throughout the Scriptures an earthquake seems always to represent revolution.... conditions which would follow such a war would make revolution the next thing in order.
(3) The fire from Heaven – an epoch of Divine judgments and chastisements upon a maddened, but unconverted world, wild in anarchy, as other Scriptures show us. The results of their wars, revolutions and anarchy, in the failure of their schemes, will have a humbling effect, and will prepare mankind for God’s revelation of Himself in
(4) The still small voice. Yes, He who spoke to the winds and the waves of Galilee will, in due time, speak peace to the peoples.”
The foregoing is now also repudiated by the Witnesses in some of its major parts, because it makes a shambles of their present claims and fictional hopes presented to their dedicated devotees; but, as we said in our January paper, Time itself is making then appear very ridiculous. In the Witnesses’ present feverish endeavors to separate the Sheep from the Goats, there is one determining question which should prove beyond doubt to all unbiased minds if their present teaching is fact or fiction: IS SATAN NOW BOUND? It is clearly stated in Rev. 20:1–3 that “An angel laid hold on that old Serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more.” Would any one of sound mind – or even the Witnesses themselves – contend that Satan is now bound? And, if he is not bound, then he must still be deceiving the nations. And, if the nations are being deceived, how can they possibly be held accountable for their deception? It is exactly the same as a sleight–of–hand performer tricking his audience by his manual manipulations.
Be it noted that the Papacy made exactly the same mistake in their counterfeit kingdom from 799 to 1799, when they also were separating the Sheep from the Goats except that they now claim that Satan was indeed bound then – that he has been “loosed for a little season” since 1799. Thus, their counterfeit kingdom was an improvement – in theory, at least – upon the present kingdom of the Witnesses. The latter do not claim that Satan is bound – at least not yet have they made such claim. But perhaps we should give them time! But for now let us keep in mind the promise of Rev. 21:3–4: “Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men.... and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.” During the Papal counterfeit kingdom there was just the reverse of this great promise – violence, cruelty, oppression prevailed in all quarters. And during the Witnesses’ kingdom since 1914 it is also evident that violence – “nation against nation” – is the prevailing order of the day. Judge Rutherford was wont to stress the “physical facts” in his lectures and writings forty years ago; therefore, we would now call upon the Witnesses to catalog the “physical facts” to prove that the benign Kingdom of God is now with us. However, we now place ourselves on record in predicting an even greater “Armageddon” delusion than was their “Millions Now Living Will Never Die” delusion before 1925. “He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear.”
Let us consider also the promise, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain (Kingdom): for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord” (Isa. 11:9). Today we find just the reverse of this in the earth – “men’s hearts failing them for fear” – the violence of the atomic bombs, etc., is multifold greater than was the violence that filled the earth in the world that was (Gen. 6:11). Also, according to the Witnesses’ own contentions, the vast majority of religious teachers in the earth today are rank frauds – deceiving the people with error, instead of teaching them the “knowledge of the Lord.” But, when God’s true Kingdom is actually in operation in the earth, “they shall no more teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them” (Jer. 31:34). It should need no argument that millions upon millions of human beings today have not the mental capacity to recognize the truth when it is presented to them; that is why it is so easy for “grievous wolves” to prosper greatly today. “Now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered (Mal. 3:15). This is just the reverse of what we may expect when the true Kingdom of God is here – when “the Tabernacle of God is with men.”
“Do you therefore, Beloved, being forewarned, be on your guard, lest being led away by the deceit of the lawless, you should fall from your own stability; but grow in favor and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 3:17–18, Dia.)
Sincerely your brother,
John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim
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ANNOUNCEMENT OF GENERAL INTEREST
Our Memorial date for this year is March 23 – and we suggest for our Spring Special Effort Sunday, March 12 through Sunday April 5 for our volunteer and sharpshooting in Antitypical Gideon’s Second Battle. The Battle is not over yet, and the Epiphany Messenger arranged for these Spring and Fall Special Efforts as an acceptable service unto the Lord. We believe that all our faithful Epiphany–enlightened brethren will desire to participate in this good work unto its completion, as opportunity permits. Our tracts – Where are the Dead, What is the Soul, and The Resurrection of the Dead – are specially adaptable for this service. All literature will be sent free and postage paid. Please order the pertinent literature early enough if you desire to participate with us in this “good fight.”
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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST
Dear Brother Hoefle:
May the God of all Grace give you the strength and courage and great Patience to fulfill His good pleasure in defense of the Parousia and Epiphany Truths amidst the ridicule of Satan’s dupes. You have challenged all of them by your presence and your writings – not ashamed to face the foe. May God’s Holy Spirit guide you in all you say and do, as to bring Honor and Praise to God and Christ.
May Love, Joy, and Peace be unto you and yours this season of the year and the incoming year 1967
By His Grace ------- (OHIO)
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Dear Brother Hoefle: Loving greetings through our dear Lord!
Received your letter and was pleased to hear from you, and also about the Chicago Convention...... Brother ------- comes down quite often, and we have good talks. He tells me Sister ------- enjoys your papers, and she thinks that you are doing very good with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. She likes your papers..... May the rich blessings of the Lord be with you all and all with you is my prayer (1 Tim. 4:6—Dia.)
Your sister in the Faith ------- (PENNSYLVANIA)
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Epiphany Bible Students Ass’n
You may please send me one or two copies of each of the following: What is the Soul, The Resurrection of the Dead, The Three Babylons and Where are the Dead.
Thanks. ------- (FLORIDA)
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Dear Mr. Hoefle: I appreciate receiving the brochures which you sent me after my husband passed away. I am finding this very hard to take and the thoughtfulness of every one is so much appreciated.
Sincerely ------- (FLORIDA)
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Dear Sir: One of your pamphlets was left at my door one Sunday morning, which I enjoyed reading. I, too, believe that we are in the state of death until resurrection.... I would like for you to send me a few – about 25 of them, Where are the Dead. I want to give one to my Bible teacher – also to my nieces and nephew and friends. Also would like to know the address here in Los Angeles where this group meets.
Yours truly In Christ ------- (CALIFORNIA)
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Dear Brother Hoefle and All: This is to wish you all a very Happy season. I have received your December paper and am looking forward to enjoying its contents. Sister ------- and I went to a meeting of Bible Students in ––––– and heard a young man speak on “The Urgency of our Day...... We both had a talk with his wife and found that he had been a Roman Catholic, then joined the JW’s..... So we hope they will be helped and guided In the Truth.. Christian love to you all.
Hymn 23 From your sister ------- (ENGLAND)