No. 116
My dear Brethren: Grace and peace through our Beloved Master!
In the last Nov-Dec. Present Truth R. G. Jolly again perverts another of Bro. Russell’s superb presentations (See June 1, 1894 Tower, Reprints 1656) by injecting his own errors; and once again he offers another glaring revolutionism against Parousia Truth in his juggling of Matt. 25:21 – the same having to do with the parable of the talents. At the outset, we should grasp thoroughly that Matt. 25:14-30 is a parable; and p. 15 of the Berean Topical Index states, “In a parable the thing said is never the thing meant. It is a word picture.” Such is the case in the “talent” word picture; and, when it relates about the five-talented, the two-talented and the one-talented man, it is clearly contrasting two classes – the Little Flock and the Great Company, or the Fully Faithful and the Measurably Faithful, or the ‘profitable’ and the ‘unprofitable’ servants – and contrasting the Lord’s appraisal of the two classes of new creatures.
Also, this parable has its special application here in the end of the Age – with the rewards, or sentences, partially realized in this present life – commendation to the “good and faithful servant,” and ‘‘weeping and gnashing of teeth” (the portion of the hypocrites – Matt, 8:12 – during the ‘great tribulation’) determined for the “unprofitable servant.” Therefore, when R. G. Jolly now attempts to put the Great Company and Youthful Worthies into Matt. 25:21, he simply presents some more of his nonsense – even if he were correct in his present opinion that there are no more Little Flock members on earth. Had he confined himself merely to quoting the first clause, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” then he would not have been far wrong, because all the fully faithful Worthies may be classified as “good and faithful.” St. Paul substantially verifies this concerning Moses in Heb. 3:5: “Moses indeed was faithful in his whole house, as a servant”; but that will never bring Moses, or other Worthies, to an inheritance of “the joy of the Lord,” as it is stated in Matt. 25:21, as we shall presently prove.
Nor should we confuse the five talents, the two talents and the one talent by concluding that faithfulness and ability are inseparably linked here. Some of the two-talented persons are probably at least as faithful – possibly in some cases even moreso – as some of the five-talented persons. It will be noted that the Lord’s commendation is exactly the same for both. Neither should we conclude that the one-talented “unprofitable” servant is such because of his physical or mental limitations, because many of the Gospel-Age crown-losers have been two or five-talented men when they first became new creatures and prospective members of ‘‘His Body.’’ The chief reason they are “unprofitable” is because they failed to use what they have in harmony with their Lord’s instructions. Satan uses the Great Company for his purposes, while the Lord uses the Little Flock for His purposes – See E-5:151(14). The leaders among the “unprofitable” servants have been typed by King Saul – “a choice young man, and goodly.... from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.” (1 Sam. 9:2) This “goodly” description certainly applied to J. F. Rutherford; it applies to R. G. Jolly, although in lesser degree. It was emphatically true of John Calvin, and even moreso of “Saint” Augustine, the latter being rated by some as the greatest intellect of all time among the fallen race. Yet all of these must now be classified in the “one talent” group.
Just why, then are such persons “unprofitable”? It is because representatively they all have their works “burned” here in the end of the Age (1 Cor. 3:15). Thus, the only thing they will have to show for their efforts is ashes – the memories of their misspent energies as they built their “house upon the sand.” which the living members of their Class will fully realize when they recognize “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” – Jer. 8:20). But not so with the “good and faithful” class! Of them it is stated that the true and praiseworthy Kingdom work in which they have been engaged since 1874 will see no delay, defeat or destruction – ‘‘Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors (no more fatigue or weariness or persecution after they are ‘‘wedded’’ to their Lord); for their works follow after them.” (Rev. 14:13Dia.)
A DISTORTED PARABLE
Some may be inclined to consider us hypercritical in this present exposure, but careful consideration should cause all to perceive here a fundamental principle for upholding the Truth and to keep it uncontaminated with error. As we said at the outset, much of “The Test of Endurance” is from Brother Russell, which makes the error put into it by R. G. Jolly all the more subtle and dangerous and thus open to condemnation. He may yell that what we are criticizing is from Brother Russell, but his own injection in this article mutilates and distorts the true meaning. Brother Johnson analyzes such perversions very ably in E-5:511 (40):
“Satan is too shrewd to give unadulterated and transparent error through any mouthpiece he may be using.... for who would accept what they believe to be entirely erroneous? His hope of successfully seducing from Truth into error is to mix them with one another and make the partial Truth that one may hold a stepping stone toward the error that he seeks to inculcate.... Not everything is Truth or error. There is much of Truth in what they reprint from our Pastor’s writings; but there is much error mixed in with this Truth.... a Satanic attempt continually made to make the Truth a stepping stone to the error” (just as R. G. Jolly has done in the present instance).
In his attempt now to replace the Saints with his Great Company and Youthful Worthies as the “good and faithful servant” it will be noted he makes no mention whatever of the “unprofitable servant.” Let us keep in mind that all during the Age the great systems of error have arisen because of two main failings: Either taking a text from its proper setting, or quoting just a part of an individual text – and from such deceptive methods constructing erroneous conclusions that are clearly contradicted by other Scriptures pertinent to the subject under discussion. R. G. Jolly is guilty of the first-named of these two perversions in his treatment of this parable text, when he ignores completely the “unprofitable servant” section of the parable in his attempt to pervert (Azazel means Perverter) the portion dealing with the “good and profitable servant.” If the “unprofitable servant” (the Great Company – See Berean Comment for Matt. 25:30) has now become the “good and faithful servant,” who, then, is now the “unprofitable servant”? Note also the Comment for v. 19: “This period of reckoning began in 1878 with the raising of the sleeping saints, and still continues” (in 1906). Is such reckoning “still continuing” with crown-losers and Youthful Worthies as was “continuing” with the Saints when Brother Russell wrote that article explaining this parable of the Talents, the rewards and punishment (differentiating between the two classes – the fully faithful and the measurably faithful – the Little Flock and the Great Company)?
Often have we criticized R. G. Jolly since 1950 for trying to inject himself into the “Light,” the “Salt of the earth” class, etc. – and we have given indisputable references from Brother Russell and Brother Johnson in our refutations to prove his transparent error in this attempt, Note, for instance, the clear statement by Bro. Johnson in E-5:148 (bottom) that “Jesus and the Church (The Christ) are the Sun, Light, of the world, John 9:5; Matt. 5:14.” Thus, it does not surprise us that R. G. Jolly attempts now still further encroachment and reaching for titles and positions that are not his. According to him, he is now among the “good and faithful servant” class! This brings to mind Brother Johnson’s summation of such characters in E-4:278, top:
‘‘From first to last the Great Company leaders want more than the Lord gives them; hence, under Satanic temptation they grasp for power and Lord it over God’s heritage, which makes them fall under God’s disfavor” – resulting in their complete abandonment to Azazel and fit-man wilderness experiences, and their further punishment of 2 Thes. 2:11: “On this account God will send them an energy of delusion.” The outworking of this Thessalonians text is as clear as the Noonday Sun to those whose “eyes are able to see.” When we consider how much time and space Bro. Russell expended in teaching the fundamentals of this Great Company Class –from early in the Parousia until his departure – and then contemplate the complete silence, in most cases, that the Little Babylon groups keep on this vital and timely subject, it is a sad commentary to behold (especially when some of these groups claim to “hold fast” to Parousia teachings). But when we now consider the time and space that the Epiphany Messenger expended in truly “holding fast” to such Parousia teachings, as he faithfully exposed Great Company leaders in other groups as well as in the LHMM, it is indeed truly sad to note the Epiphany fulfillment of 2 Thes. 2:11 right in our own midst, as such leaders grasp for more power and sundry methods of ‘‘witnessing to the world” (while neglecting the ‘weightier’ matter concerning themselves). R. G. Jolly is the only self-admitted Great Company leader among them, so far as we know, and he, of course, teaches such a Class (but revolutionizes against the basic fundamentals, as he injects himself into the “us, Light and Salt” Class, from which he has been forever disbarred).
THE PAROUSIA TRUTH ON THE TALENTS PARABLE
For a clear and comprehensive presentation on the parable, we refer our readers to Brother Russell’s analysis of Oct. 1, 1906 (Reprints 3869-3871). The same Is too lengthy for us to reproduce herein, so we shall offer just limited excerpts from the article to demonstrate the glaring revolutionism that is offered in this Nov-Dec. PT:
“The parable before us shows what will be in the end of this Gospel Age. This trial of the Church at its conclusion will demonstrate who are the Lord’s elect, who shall be associated with Jesus in the great work of the future Age, the Millennial Age, namely, the judging of the world.... the chief blessing upon the Church will be the manifesting to them of divine favor and love as represented in the glory, honor and immortality with which they would be clothed when received in to the divine presence as participators in the First Resurrection.... How forceful is the statement, ‘Faithful over a few things, ruler over many things.’”
The foregoing makes clear enough why the Berean Comment states the positive conclusion: “This period of reckoning began in 1878 with the raising of the sleeping saints, and still continues.” Then, further from the same 1906 article:
“The Great Company will be before the throne, whereas the faithful servants will be in the throne (the special promise to the “good and faithful” servants – the Church in Laodicea – Rev. 3:21: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne”JJH); they will have palm branches because ultimately victorious, but those in the throne, the more faithful will wear the crowns.”
THE PERTINENT PART
In arriving at a correct appraisal of this parable we should recognize it is not the first part of the Master’s commendation that controls; rather, it is the last clause of His decree – “enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” And once we discern clearly what is “the joy of the Lord,” there will be no further difficulty. St. Paul offers a clear definition in Heb. 12:2: “Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endureth the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The Apostle here sharply contrasts our Lord’s “narrow way” at His First Advent with the glory and the joy – that became His at His resurrection: “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name” – Phil. 2:8,9. And it is this “joy that He promises to share with the “good and faithful servants” of our parable (who continue in the narrow way to Life and Immortality) – “sit down with Me in My throne” – Rev. 3:21. When thus understood, we are immediately forced to the conclusion that only impudent Levitical sacrilege could strain Jesus’ words to such an extent that they would attempt to include those once abandoned to Azazel – because of their unfaithfulness – in the “good and faithful servant” group. Nor let us confuse their subsequent remorse at loss of the High Calling as bringing them again into that High Calling, into the “good and faithful servant” class, because that is forever lost to them, just as was true of Esau and his birthright: “He found no way to change his mind, though he sought it carefully with tears.” (Heb. 12:17 – margin)
And, if any are inclined to fault us for our present incisive denunciation of such larcenous attempt by crown-losers, we would quote them from E-5:137 (62):
‘‘Are we Revolutionists or their partisan supporters, or are we their Opposers – Which? Let us examine ourselves as to our stand with respect to the sixth sifting, which is yet testing us! ‘Who will be able to stand when He appeareth (when He makes all His people manifest, i.e., in the Epiphany, Mal. 3:2)’” – as He makes manifest His “good and faithful servants” as separate and distinct from His “unprofitable servants.”
“Do good, 0 Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.” (Psa. 125:4-5) “The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” (Psa. 126:3)
Sincerely your brother,
John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim
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QUESTION OF GENERAL INTEREST
QUESTION: – J. W. Krewson now teaches that the “third part” of Zech. 13:8, going “through the fire,” is a prophecy concerning his Quasi-elect Consecrated. Is this in harmony with Parousia and Epiphany Truth?
ANSWER: – It is not only not in harmony with such Truth, it is a direct contradiction to the teachings of both Messengers on this text. In fact, such a promise now – while sin is still in the ascendancy – is merely a new twist to the “Father of lies”: “Ye shall not surely die.” It is an appeal to the strongest of human yearnings – the love of life. Thus the Jews shouted with gusto, and said, “All that the Lard hath said we will do, and be obedient.” (Ex. 24:7) And in setting forth this error, J. W. Krewson shows the same brazen hypocrisy of “cousin” Jolly: He cites references that directly contradict his teaching, saying he “stands squarely and unwaveringly for the mature Parousia and Epiphany Truth” – only his present teachings are different! (See p. 158 and p. 159, top, of his paper No. 59)
Let us keep in mind that “Consecrated Campers” here in the end of the Gospel Age is a pure invention of the “cousins”; it is just the reverse of Brother Johnson’s teaching in E-10:209 that “the Epiphany Camp in the finished picture is the condition of truly repentant and believing, but not consecrated Jews and Gentiles.” Thus to claim such believers will be the “consecrated,” and that this “strange fire” is “squarely and unwaveringly for the mature Parousia and Epiphany Truth,” is simply rank hypocrisy. It is a direct contradiction of mature Epiphany Truth.
Nor is this the only time J. W. Krewson has been guilty of such perversions; he does identically the same thing with the teachings on the Epiphany – a vagary of which the Dawns are also guilty (J, W. Krewson hat been accusing us of being the Dawns’ “little brother,” whereas, he himself is guilty of their selfsame sins). In this connection, we offer once more the teachings of both Messengers on this Epiphany subject from E-4:45 (43):
“Parousia is in respect to the earliest stage of the second advent, while apokalypsis relates to the same advent later – not that apokalypsis and epiphaneia relate to another or third advent, but merely to a later feature (not features, since these two words both as an act and as a period are synonymous).” And on p. 15 of the same book there is this: “Apokalypsis, like epiphaneia, also means the Epiphany period.” And more of the same on p. 22: “The Epiphany as a period is the period of the great tribulation.” Further on p. 34: “The time of trouble and the Epiphany are one and the same period.” And Volume 4, from pages 7 through 72, is replete with similar clear and direct statements. Therefore, there can be but one conclusion on this subject: Either Brother Russell and Brother Johnson are right, and J. W. Krewson is wrong; or J. W. Krewson is right, and they are wrong. And, even should we assume that J. W. Krewson is right, he still stands before all as an unmasked brazen hypocrite when he blatantly declares he stands “squarely and unwaveringly” for the Parousia and Epiphany Truth given us by the two Messenger, all the while he is setting aside their clear teachings and substituting his errors as “advancing light.” He also tells us he is ‘representing’ Brother Johnson, all the while he is actually ‘mis’representing him and his teachings. In this Epiphany subject and in Zech. 13:8 he now offers a direct contradiction to such Truth.
Note now Brother Johnson’s clear and direct analysis of Zech. 13:8 in E-6:218, 219 (the very reference offered by J. W. Krewson to “prove” his present point, in which Brother Johnson is refuting similar perversion by JFR):
“In other words, Zech. 13:8,9 refers to the three salvations and how they will be brought about: the Little Flock and Great Company gaining their salvations by being cut off – separated in consecration from the world –and dying – carrying out their consecration unto death; while the world gets its salvation by being brought through the resurrection of judgment, spoken of in this passage as being brought through refining fires. Such an exposition is logical, factual, reasonable and Scriptural – just as is characteristic of our Pastor’s expositions. JFR muddles the passage (just as J. W. Krewson now muddles itJJH), especially as according to a later Tower he has given up our Pastor’s thought on verse 8 (forced thereto by holding error on who are meant by those who pass through the refining fires), and now claims that its ‘two parts’ are the clergy and the Second Death class! But even if we should concede that Zech. 13:9 refers to the Time of Trouble, and to those who pass through it, it does not teach how many will do so, much less that there will be millions who will so do.” (And to this we add: It does not include J. W. Krewson’s Quasi-elect consecrated, because it is a non-existent class and inharmonious with Scripture; his “strange fire” is not set apart for such promises, except in J. W. Krewson’s mind. The Lord never authorized such a ‘hope’ for Restitutionists, as a bait for JFR’S, RGJ’s or JWK’s present needs for a following – and, as Brother Johnson succinctly states, “it does not teach how many will do so.” But J. W. Krewson says that his non-existent class of quasi-elect consecrated will be the ‘fixed’ class that will pass through without dying. We wonder whether he ‘allows’ for any others than his “quasi-elect consecrated” to live through the Time of Trouble.JJH). R. G. Jolly hasn’t gone that far yet, although he has squinted in that direction; and we hope for his sake that he will eventually repudiate completely the “strange fire” he imbibed from “cousin” Krewson (as well as all the other nonsensical “advancing light” he published in the Present Truth – Brother Russell’s Parallels,” etc., when he was under his influence before the break over “who is the greatest”), instead of adding further ‘fire’ to the flame.
Considering the unconscionable tactics of J. W. Krewson toward the subjects mentioned aforegoing, It is little wonder that his “cleansed nucleus” is but a mere handful; only the very dull, or those “willingly ignorant” will condone such hypocrisy. To make our own position clear, it is probably true that there are many living in unexplored Africa, South America, Australia, Mongolia and the Arctics who will live through the Time of Trouble; and such people will make no pretense whatever to “seek meekness or righteousness” as “consecrated campers” (See Zeph. 3:2 and Berean Comment) during this time – not even having heard of the “Only Name” which will save them. With these there will certainly also be some repentant believers who will survive the Day of Wrath (the quasi-elect unconsecrated, as Brother Johnson and Brother Russell both logically taught). But we believe it also needs no argument that quite a good number of the heathen who live to the time when the Kingdom is established will die the Adamic death even after the Mediatorial reign is inaugurated – in its beginning – because that reign could not possibly be made known in a day, a week, a month, or perhaps even a year after its inception; thus the ‘natural’ processes now in operation will continue to function toward such just as though no change at all had occurred in Jerusalem. Only those who embrace the Kingdom arrangements will have opportunity to walk up the ‘‘Highway of Holiness.” Therefore, “the fire” of Zech. 13:8 cannot possibly refer to the violent features of the Time of Trouble (the Epiphany), but must mean the refining processes of the “resurrection by krisis” – by trial and judgment, just as is taught by both Messengers. Some will certainly die after the “fire” of this Day of Wrath has fully abated (which is contrary to Jehovah’s Witnesses’ teachings, and other Little Babylon groups), but who will just as certainly live later on as a result of “the fire” of the Judgment Day – the “fire” of Zech. 13:8. This is in full harmony with both Messengers’ teachings thereon, and we see no reason to abandon their faithful teachings and substitute the errors of J. W. Krewson, or any other group who now teaches contrary to these teachings.
While R. G. Jolly has clearly stated that his “Campers Consecrated” are on “a narrow way,” the same as the Youthful Worthies and Great Company, and consecrated unto death, there have been times in his discoursing that he was also squinting toward declaring a “never die” idea for them. We opine our own sharp refutations have restrained him, however. This we suggest in commendation; altho, sad to note, our refutations have had no such restraint on J, W, Krewson. But let none be led astray; either the Messengers are right, and he is wrong; or he is right, and they are wrong (he is not ‘representing’ either one of the Messengers). His slogan ‘‘Onward with the Lord” should have added to it: – And don’t bother with the Scriptures! As for ourselves, we haven’t seen anything in J. W. Krewson’s career that commends him to us – that would cause us to depart from the Parousia and Epiphany Truth into his “Apokalypsis” revolutionisms and errors. So let each one choose for himself this day whom he will serve – if God, follow Him; if Baal, follow him!
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LETTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST
My dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace!
I am wishing you sincere Christian greetings – and may your faith increase and a double portion of God’s Holy Spirit abide with you – so in full confidence be strengthened to carry on the “good fight” according to your consecration vows. And may you help others do the same, peradventure some that hate you may suddenly realize that instead of your being their foe you are sincerely their friend..... Oh, we praise without ceasing and thank Him too much to be fooled by Satan, after God has delivered His people from the error of the past. We must examine what we receive, and I find we are in the Faith Age, and if we consecrate it must be a Faith Class. We cannot have Jesus the Gate closed to us, and have fellowship with God, and still make an acceptable consecration.....
Thanks to you for all the help you have rendered me during the year. The brethren here in Crofts Hill never cease remembering you. We are not partisan – we prove all you have written and find, my dear Brother Hoefle, they truly correspond with the writings we have “learned and been assured of.” The Lord has surely used you to help those that are fighting to be faithful. Please remember me to the other dear ones.
Much Christian love – Yours by Grace ------- (JAMAICA)
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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in our dear Redeemer!
This reply has been long overdue. I am quite well and strong, but have been advised to get as much rest as possible, at least for the next few months or so.......
I receive your papers regularly and do certainly enjoy them. May God bless you both in your good work! There is no doubt that you are richly blest. In my feeble way I am trying my best, but I do not find it so easy to spread the word around. I have the firm hope that God will help me, as I have put it to Him in prayer.
In my last letter I did not convey my thanks to both of you for coming over to us. Your address at the funeral was inspiring, and there were some demands for a public lecture. That, of course, was not practicable.
We do miss Daddy’s ministry, but God’s will must be done, and He will work all things well for those who trust Him, May God bless you in your ministry.
Your sister in His dear Name ------- TRINIDAD)
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Dear Brother Hoefle: Greetings in our Redeemer’s Name!
I hereby acknowledge receipt of .... pounds from Brother -------, and also apologize for delaying such acknowledgment. I have also received the December article, and again express appreciation of the “meat in due season.” I had glanced at R. G. Jolly’s Present Truth prior to the arrival of our December article, and saw he was accusing you of deceit and striking at Brothers Russell and Johnson – condemning their teachings as being error, when the question was asked him re trusting one’s conscience.
He is accusing you of exactly what he is guilty of. He is most deceitful. He does give light, but phosphorescent, as Satan does – the father of lies. It is a sad picture, but as counterpart of That Evil Servant...... As the Apostle says, we fear for them. Your explanation on the subject is very clear to those with good and honest hearts, and in harmony with Brother Johnson (see E. Vol. 8, p. 4889 bottom, and elsewhere) and the Apostle Paul (Acts 24:26). It is impossible for R. G. Jolly to see his present condition of heart as he looks through a glass darkly – and likewise his adherents.
Time and space would fail me here to express my heartfelt sympathy on your behalf for the false accusations made against you. Yet don’t be discouraged, dear Brother, as the poet expresses, “and so we walk together, my Lord and I.”
Being at the close of the year we have much cause to be thankful to our dear Heavenly Father, for His mercies and favors from the Truth and its spirit, as also others do.
With this comes my prayer for you, Sister Hoefle and the dear ones with you.
Your brother, ------- (JAMAICA)